Specific Mental Health Education & Training

• Mental health education including symptom identification and awareness
• Identifying risk issues in individuals with mental health issues
• Coping with mental health symptoms and the effects within the workplace.
• Stress – what is it and how can this be managed?
• Self esteem – What is it and how can you improve?
• Effective communication
• Awareness of support systems, treatment options and primary care resources
• Mental health treatments including psychological treatment strategies

Training Programs

Disorders covered in training include but not limited to;

• Anxiety Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders
• Mood disorders including depression and manic states
• Bipolar Affective Disorder
• Eating Disorders
• Personality Disorders

Specific training areas covered for each disorder includes;

• Possible aetiologies
• Types and presentations
• Behavioural features
• Early warning patterns
• Prognosis
• Treatment options/strategies
• Medication and compliance training
• Considerations for the patient and their family
• Community care principles
• Inpatient nursing care principles
• Risk management considerations for each disorder
• Legislative considerations with treatment
• Non-biological or psychosocial treatments

Mental State Examination

• What is it?
• Why do it?
• Components of mental status examination
• Assessment techniques
• Recording of this information

Mental health treatment and support options including;

Psychopharmacology

• Education on all psychotropic medications including;
• Side effect profiles
• Patient and family considerations
• Compliance training
• Factors influencing compliance
• Nursing interventions and responsibilities

Crisis intervention

• Understanding crisis presentations
• Exploring immediate interventions and principles of care
• Strategies for crisis communication

Understanding and managing risk (specifically suicidal ideation)

• Identification, assessment, intervention strategies, management options

Mental Health legislation and policy frameworks

• Mental Health Act 1986
• National and State Mental Health Plans

Consumer and Carer involvement

• Education and involvement strategies
• Family inclusive practice principles
• Consumer and Carer participation strategic planning

Drugs and Alcohol

• Classification of drugs
• Assessment of drugs and alcohol
• Understanding substance use and misuse
• Risk and management considerations
• Treatment and support options
• Stages of change and motivational interviewing
• Harm Minimisation principles

Stress management

• Phenomenon of stress vulnerability model
• Contributing factors
• Prevention strategies
• Relaxation approaches/techniques
• Biological treatment options

Understanding Dementia

• Types of dementia
• Causes of dementia
• Early signs of dementia
• What can be done to help?

Complex and challenging behaviour management in the elderly

• How to communicate
• Assessment and management
• Creating a safe and supportive environment
• Individual care programs
• Strategies to assist with agitation, aggression and confusion
• How to stay safe in the workplace