Have just completed my final placement and discovered that I seemed to be reflecting on what I had experienced quite a lot, so thought I would share a few of my thoughts.....
The placement was a mental health charity aimed at helping people with mental health issues, who are ready for work, making those steps back into employment. I really didn't know much about mental health issues and found it very interesting. At least 1 in 4 people will suffer from a mental health problem at some point in their lives. In fact, there was a piece on the lunch time news today highlighting that a lot more men are suffering from depression, in this recession, due to unemployment and lower incomes.
On reflection, I really think it would be a good idea to have a 'mental health awareness' training session as part of our course as there definitely seems to be a link between satisfying employment and good mental health. As careers advisers of the future (!!) I strongly believe that we are going to come accross people with mental health issues in all areas of careers advice work and therefore it would be good for us to have an understanding and sensitivity of their particular needs and concerns.
Inspiration from Graduation!
16 years ago
I think this is a very valid point. At Napier Uni they said that mental health issues arise surprisingly frequently amongst students. There are special training sessions for the careers and other support staff in mental health first aid. I think these involve the recognition of danger signs and when specialist help is required. In some ways it seems quite specialist for the course, but given these issues seem to crop up commonly, especially amongst some client groups, an awareness would def be a useful thing.
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