Mental Illness Awareness Training

VICSERV is well placed to provide training to increase the understanding, knowledge and awareness of mental health issues. Mental Illness Awareness Training focuses on improving communication skills for staff working in local government, community support, and health agencies and/or other specialist service organisations. The course will be beneficial to those staff who have occasional or ongoing contact with clients with a mental illness. The one-day Providing A Service To People With A Mental Illness program is offered on a regular basis and includes the following:

• Describes the major mental illnesses, the history of treatment and stigma and how these impact on people's lives
• Implements effective communication skills in working with clients who have a mental illness
• Details what is needed by people with mental illness seeking assistance
• Identifies key parts of the service system that can assist
• Applies the essential strategies for effective service delivery.

Training can also be customised for particular organisations or work teams and a shorter half-day program can also be organised.