Education and Training

Aware Defeat Depression currently offers the following education and training programmes.

Mood Matters for Young People

‘Mood Matters’ is a presentation aimed at young people in Year 11 and upwards, which seeks to enhance understanding of depression alongside promoting positive mental health. It was launched in 2000 and each year up to 250 presentations are delivered across Northern Ireland.

A presentation educates young people on: It also develops their understanding of:

• The prevalence of depression
• Normal moods
• Signs, symptoms and causes
• Problematic moods
• Treatments and additional support
• Possible causes of depression

Mood matters examines sources of help and support, including self help / helping a friend, and is delivered via powerpoint, music, video and may include interactive activities. Teachers’ resources are supplied to enable staff to discuss the material before and after each session.

For further information contact Ron at ron@aware-ni.org or tel: 028 90 321734

Mood Matters for Teachers/Parents

Mood Matters can also be delivered to teachers, parents or other adults with responsibility for young people. A session focuses on identifying depression amongst young people, the effects this can have at school and home, and sources of help and support for a young person.

For further information contact Ron at ron@aware-ni.org or tel: 028 90 32 1734

Depression Awareness for Vulnerable Groups

These presentations cover all of the above content on depression but are targeted at groups working with vulnerable adults and vulnerable adults themselves. We have recently given presentations to the Rainbow Project (Derry), Women’s Aid groups, the Mothers Union, the Samaritans and an Epilepsy Support Group.

For further information contact Ron at ron@aware-ni.org or tel: 028 90 32 1734

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

The aim of the MHFA course is to help participants:-

• preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others
• provide help to prevent the mental health problem developing into a more serious state
• promote the recovery of good mental health
• provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem.

The course is usually delivered over two consecutive days. Topics covered include:

• What is meant by mental health / mental ill health?
• Crisis situations such as suicidal behaviour, self harm, panic attacks and acute psychotic behaviour
• The signs and symptoms of common mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
• Where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.

Each course is delivered by two MHFA instructors to a maximum of 16 participants through the medium of presentations, video, discussion and workgroups.

For further information contact Judy at judy@aware-ni.org or tel: 028 712 60602

Overcoming Depression

Overcoming depression comprises of a series of workshops, aimed at promoting understanding and application of the principles of Cognititive Behavioural Therapy.

For further information contact Pat at pat@aware-ni.org or tel: 028 712 60602