April 2020

In response the current climate, MHFA England have now launched 'on-line' versions of their Half Day Adult and Youth Mental Health Aware courses as well as the MHFA Refresher course.

These 4 hour courses have been adapted for accessible home/working digital learning and incorporate a number of comfort breaks to maximise participants' engagement.

Bespoke Course

Written in collaboration with Mind in Harrogate District, a new course bespoke course Stress & Anxiety at Work has been developed and is available to deliver digitally or 'face to face'.

This 2 hour workshop has a focus on workplace specific stress. Participants will gain a better understanding of what anxiety is in order to increase awareness of their own responses to anxiety as well as develop ways to manage and reduce the negative impact.

September 2019 to January 2020

Mental Health First Aid England developed a unique 4 hour course for HSBC titled 'Mental Health Skills in Practice' for People Managers, as part of an HSBC Global initiative.  Dariel was invited to join the HSBC University and became part of the MHFA Instructor team that delivered the course.

August 2018 to May 2019 

In support of the veteran community, Hull Regional Council commissioned Dariel to roll the Two Day Mental Health First Aid courses for the Armed Forces Community across the five regional councils of Hull, Doncaster, East Riding of Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.

Jessica Farr, Veterans Support Officer

"I just want to say a big thank you for all your hard work over the past few months, delivering courses across the Yorkshire and Humber region for our partnership and for your support over the last year from when I initially contacted you to discuss delivery of the project.

We have received some fantastic feedback across the region from our attendees, all have said how fantastic you were, so thank you!"

July 2017 to June 2018

Children & Young Person Mental Health First Aid

Following on from a programme of Youth MHFA training courses, Darlington Borough Council, hosted a forum to give those who took part from the schools within the Borough the opportunity to learn from the impact of the training, share good practice and have a voice to help shape how  the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people in our communities is supported going forward.

Rachel Osbaldeston, Public Health Portfolio Lead, Public Health, Children and Adults Services for Darlington Borough Council informed attendees about Future in Mind, the output of a cross-Government taskforce, established to look at the mental health of children and young people and to set out a whole system approached to the prevention of mental ill health, early intervention and recover.  The Youth MHFA training programme was part of this wider initiative.

We were delighted that Youth MP Jess Halliday attended and who gave an insightful young person's perspective on how best to support children and young people who are trying to cope with mental health or emotional difficulties.

Intiatives taken up by the schools as a result of the training were discussed and shared, and there was an overwhelming interest in future events where individuals could meet, share good pratice and support each other.

February 2017

Developed by Agencies in the North East, Respond is a unique multi-agency simulation training package for professionals involved in mental health crisis care. By increasing collaboration and knowledge, it equips staff to respond quickly and appropriately to improve patient experience.

An amazing and immersive day was spent observing this interactive and experiential training initiative that effectively brings the full range of relevant agencies learning together.

GREAT DREAM launched at Poppleton Road Primary School in York

Inspirational initiatives are going on at Poppleton Road Primary School to promote health and wellbeing throughout the school.with GREAT DREAM from Action for Happiness at the heart of it.  

There are now two displays in school, one in the main hall, with a focus strand each half term (starting with GIVING) and one in the main entrance for the parents to see.  Y4 classes are taking part in a kindness project and PSHCE lessons (and others) are linked to GREAT DREAM.  The children also have a creative homework project linked to GREAT DREAM and are introducing the term "wellbeing warriors" this Spring 2017 term.

Poppleton Road Primary School have a twitter handle @HWBPoppyRoad - so take a look!

Or visit http://www.poppletonroadprimary.co.uk/health-and-wellbeing/

Congratulations! You are all now Youth Mental Health First Aiders.

November 2016, Darlington

Funded by Darlington Borough Council, a series of Youth MHFA courses were held in Darlington, attended by a total of 62 representatives from a range of primary, secondary and specialist schools, colleges and children services.

Pledges were made and a Post Course Evaluation is scheduled for 3 months afterwards to ascertain the levels of knowledge and confidence maintained, to support and provide Mental Health First Aid to a child or young person with emotional distress or mental health difficulties.  It's going to be very interesting to see the impact of the training and what initiatives have been introduced into the schools and colleges, as part of a whole school approach.

Outcomes will be made available in March 2017

​​Veterans Mental Health - The Road Ahead

February 2017

It was great to be able to attend this conference held on 9th February in York, the focus of which was to inform and engage professionals from all phases of eduction by looking at the big picture and imparting practical solutions.  Speakers included Gulshan Kayembe, Natasha Devon, DfE Mental Health Champion, Eion Rush, Children's Specialist Services, City of York Council and Caroline Hounsell, Director of Partnerships and Business, MHFA England CIC.

The Pathfinder Teaching School alliance is committed to making sure children, young people and adults in the region hae access to them ost effective information on issues of national and local importance.

Mental health care issues highlighted at conference

http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/mental-health-care-issues-highlighted-at-conference-1-7641938