Successful workshops promote mental health

Funding from the NHS has seen a ‘Mental Health Matters’ project become a huge success at Forth Valley College.

In partnership with Falkirk and District Association for Mental Health (FDAMH), the project was awarded a grant of £10,290 from NHS Forth Valley’s Endowment Fund.

This helped to create and deliver workshops to promote mental health in areas that affect students, ranging from stress to dealing with grief and loss.

The project focused on students from seven Care and Health Care courses at levels 6 and 7, both at the college’s Alloa and Stirling campuses.

The success of the initiative is expected to lead to a roll out to similar courses at the Falkirk campus.

A total of 31 students benefited from the workshops – both personally in relation to their own mental health – but also from a professional point of view as they will be able to use the experience to benefit the clients and patients they work with through their careers.

Jane Muir, FVC’S curriculum manager for Care and Health, said: “I would like to thank NHS Forth Valley and NHS Charities Together for this funding, as it came at the right time to support students who are undertaking courses in Health and Social Care.

“An understanding of how to maintain and promote good mental health is a vital element in studying and working in the Care services.

“The learning taken from these workshops will assist our FVC students to become more resilient and self-aware as health and social care professionals.”

Martin Murray, FVC’S mental health co-ordinator, said: “This represents a good example of joint venture between the college, FDAMH and NHS Forth Valley, which helps destigmatise and promote understanding of mental health.”