> Testimonials
> The Challenge
> The Solution
> How you participate
> The Result
> Benefits to your business
> Time for a session
> Suggested number of participants
> Who should attend?
> Background
> Things to consider when booking
> Follow up
Testimonials
"In the 24 hours following your visit at least 10 Samaritans contacted me to say how much they had gained from your excellent presentation, that it was a very worthwhile on-going training session for us and they went straight home and read your book. Need I say more?"
- A Samaritan Branch in the Midlands
"Roger Smith came to work with a group of first year student nurses on 4th July at Lincoln. The group comprised about 30 student nurses. They found Roger very open to any questions they wanted to ask and more than willing to answer these."
"The group found Roger’s presentation gave a very positive upbeat perspective of Bipolar disorder and the experience of living with it. Roger could offer insights which were unique and which added to the students awareness and appreciation of what it meant to have a bipolar disorder."
"The presentation itself was well paced, always interesting and lively – Roger used a variety of methods to engage the group and is a very able facilitator."
"The group valued his clear ‘down to earth’ delivery and his ability to relate a complex condition in very human terms, to an audience with little prior knowledge of the subject."
"The group enjoyed the workshop very much, as I did myself.
"I would have no hesitation in asking Roger to facilitate the workshop with other groups, or in recommending him to other course providers."
- John Digan, Lecturer
"Regarding the teaching sessions of 21 March and 4 April 2007"
"An overwhelming number of the students cited your sessions as being the most interesting/informative. A few of the commnets outlined on the evaluation forms were as follows:
"I found it really useful to hear about the service user's experiences."
"Having someone who has been through those issues, sharing experiences, makes you understand more about mental illness and what people go through."
"Really insightful."
"Having the opportunnity to ask questions was really helpful."
"The majority of the students said that they woudl take what they had learnt in those sessions with tehm to apply in their own branch of nursing. The sessions were informative, positive and refreshing, and have certainly helped shape the nurses of the future in a positive way. I hope that you benefited also, and that you will consider returning in the future to do some more."
- Tania Linden, Practioner Health Lecturer
The Challenge
Even now, in 2007 most people are unaware of the meaning of bipolar disorder. If you have not experienced highs and lows that are so extreme as to have wrecked your life it is difficult to comprehend what the disorder is all about. If you are going to help or work alongside people with bipolar then you need to understand a great deal.
The Solution
Roger is able to give a first hand account of how the disorder affected his life over a period of nearly 30 years. Triggers, warning signs and techniques for controlling the disorder are described. The traditional psychiatric view of treating the disorer is contrasted with newer recovery approaches for overcoming it.
How you participate
This session will be tailored for your group. Typically starting with a presentation, followed by questions and answers, a chance for participants to find out more about their own mood swings or to research an aspect of bipolar disorder, (in the university setting there can be the option for students to feedback what they have learnt. The session usually ends with explanations of the kind of support that is possible in your area.
The Result
Participants will:
- have no doubt what bipolar is and will feel confident to explain it to others.
- (assuming not already diagnosed) have a way of understanding their own risk of suffering this illness and so be able to make choices that could prevent its onset.
- have an appreciation that everyone has a greater or lesser disposition to having mood swings and perhaps reform earlier opinions.
- will know where to find help and further information.
Benefits to your business
Think of this course as an inoculation. Had I known anything at all about manic depression, as it was called in those days, I do not think I would have missed 3 x 3 months of work and had nearly as much time on rehabilitation.
The other big benefit of this course is in reducing stigma. It is going to help those who do not have mental health problems respect, work with and to some extent understand those who do.
Time for a session
A taster can be provided in just 60 minutes. This course can be delivered in more detail as a half day (one facilitator) or as a full day (with two facilitators).
Suggested number of participants
1 to 30
Who should attend?
Anyone with a need to understand or desire to better understand the dual mental health issues of depression and mania. This could include students, potential sufferers, mental health professionals or teachers and managers who may be interacting with those already suffering depression or bouts of mania.
Background
Considering that 7% of the population may be bipolar with approximately 1% being diagnosed as having bipolar affective disorder (and taking medication to control it) it is worth knowing about this condition.
Things to consider when booking
- This course has mainly been run using flipchart and whiteboard with students seating in rows or semi-circle.
- Powerpoint can be used for large groups. Stop Paddling can provide both projector and screen.
- A prior discussion between the client and Stop Paddling is useful to understand the likely pre-knowledge of the participants and how much detailed information may be needed. For example: For a class of undergraduate social workers we were able to think in terms of most already having encountered bipolar in their practical work, but at the same time most would be young and not have necessarily encountered a wide variety of stressful situations.
The Follow up
Participants are welcome to sign up for free delivery of Stop Paddling's newsletter, "Sailing Ideas", which concisely discusses many issues relating to mood swings and wider mental health issues.
Email support can be provided.
Help focusing on stress advice to improve mental health is available from Stop Paddling.
061008