The “Working With Voices“ Workshop will equip participants with a tool-kit for working with voice hearers and is suitable for front line mental health staff working in health, social services and voluntary sector. Workbook included in training.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding Voices
• Voice Profiling
• Developing Coping Strategies
• Working Within Belief Systems
• Using the Voices Workbook

• Identifying what is Distressing
• Building coping Strategies 
• Developing Alliances 
• Building Relationships
• Trying Alternatives
• Action Planning for Future Crisis

The workshop is especially suitable for staff working in acute and crisis resolution settings and people dealing with clients who experience periods of being overwhelmed by their experiences on occasions through a year such as assertive outreach teams. Also suitable for support workers and family members. Workbook included in training.

Recovery for people with mental health concerns is achievable – it works! Recovery can be both a goal and a process. The workshop will explore creative ways of helping people move on. We will explore the tools for recovery.

• Looking at the recovery process tools 
• Why use it? Why does it work?
• Planning pathways to recovery 
• Using narratives / Personal stories
• Assessment

It will benefit all frontline staff working with people with mental distress, family members and consumers. Workbook included in training.

This package of training models the outcomes of consumer and staff partnerships in it’s structure and content. The first day is consumer training followed by half day staff and consumer joint training experience. The training uses a tool called the ‘lemon looning board game’ developed by consumers that won the MHS award for innovative training.

The purpose of this workshop is to increase understanding of the skills involved in reducing discrimination and stigma associated with mental illness. Applying these skills when working with consumers, their family/whanau, the mental health sector and the community for creating an environment that supports recovery from mental illness. The underlying thesis of this training program is that the process of reducing discrimination is equally important as the outcome.

The aim of the workshop is to equip participants with the tool-kit for working with people who self-harm.

• Understanding self harm
• Developing Coping Strategies
• Identifying the self harm experience 
• Using the Workbook
• Self harm Profiling

Suitable for all front line staff working in health, social services and voluntary sector. Workbook included in training.

The workshop will explore the theoretical framework that underpins the practice of goal setting. We will explore different approaches to the topic of goal setting. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and challenge the notions of practical recovery solutions as they relate to the practice of goal setting in a safe environment. We will also explore how best to implement the practice within the structures of the workplace environment.

This workshop provides an in-depth understanding of the goal setting approach, and is facilitated by people who have first hand knowledge and experience of Recovery from mental illness. Sharing in the journey of Recovery will enhance confidence in mental health workers to implement the practice of goal setting. Suitable for front line mental health staff working in health, including support workers and clinicians.

A workshop for people who experience psychiatric symptoms and for those who care about them. Topics include: Empowerment and responsibility, the Importance of Education, Developing a Wellness Recovery Action Plan; Taking preventative Action early; Diet, light and exercise; Changing negative thoughts into positive ones; Preventing and avoiding suicide; Taking responsibility for wellness; Stress reduction and relaxation methods; Building self-esteem and self-confidence; Developing and keeping support systems; Peer Counselling.

The “Hearing Voices” workshop includes both didactic presentation and experiential learning through a simulation of hearing voices that are distressing. During the first session an opening lecture is given. During the next part the simulation takes place. During the simulation, the workshop participants listen to a special audiotape that simulates distressing voices. In addition, they move (in no specific order) through four “workstations”. These include going out into the community and performing a task, going to “day treatment programme”, going to “psychiatric emergency services” for a mental status exam, and taking a test at the “psychological testing centre”. The final part concludes the simulation experience with a facilitated group discussion. An eleven page handout including references is given to each course participant. Name of facilitator Arana Person Time/Duration Half Day