Macdonald & MacMillan Training Ltd. A Community Interest Company. #726594
Macdonald & MacMillan Training - click on the image to read our message of hope.
We can support your needs
Whether you are looking to upskill you or your organisations knowledge and awareness about mental health and suicide prevention we can provide a personalised solution. Contact us now for a quotation.
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Accredited courses delivered
Our accredited trainers are able to deliver the following courses:
•Scottish Mental Health First Aid.
•Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
•Safe TALK
Scottish Mental Health First Aid
The SMHFA course takes 12 hours to complete. It can be presented in a range of formats to suit different groups. The course is presented by our qualified SMHFA instructors and quality is continuously monitored by Public Health Scotland.
The course can be presented in the following formats:
- 2 full days
- 4 half days
- 6 two-hour sessions.
The following is a brief outline of what is covered on the course:
- guidance on being a Mental Health First Aider
- attitudes to mental health issues
- equalities
- the recovery message
- the impact of alcohol and drugs on mental health
- introduction to suicide intervention
- listening skills
- understanding depression
- how to offer first aid to someone experiencing depression
- understanding anxiety
- how to offer first aid to someone experiencing anxiety
- understanding psychosis
- how to offer first aid to someone experiencing a psychotic episode.
The course does not train people to be mental health workers. It offers basic general information about mental health problems. The knowledge presented and understanding developed in the course helps to remove stigma and fear and to give confidence in approaching a person in distress.
Mental Health First Aid is an initial response to distress and all participants on the course understand that this help is given only until other suitable or professional help can be found.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
LivingWorks ASIST is a two-day face-to-face workshop featuring powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations.
At a LivingWorks ASIST workshop, you'll learn about suicide prevention training by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.
Two knowledgeable, supportive trainers will guide you through the course, ensuring your comfort and safety.
Safe TALK
LivingWorks safeTALK is a four-hour face-to-face workshop featuring powerful presentations, audiovisuals, and skills practice.
At a LivingWorks safeTALK workshop, you'll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support.
A skilled, supportive trainer will guide you through the course, and a community resource will be on hand to support your safety and comfort.
Course Feedback
“Des and Gary were great instructors, really down-to-earth and friendly, whilst maintaining the seriousness of the course content. This mental health first aid course really exceeded my expectations. I would recommend them to anyone”
“Have never had such an open discussion about mental health.
The trust was gained almost
immediately and they listened to everyone so well, whilst
making sure we got through the material.”
“They were compassionate and able to use humour in an appropriate way, which lifted the course from being very heavy to enjoyable and memorable.”
"Made a really comfortable safe, teaching, learning, sharing
environment. Brilliant a massive thanks"
"For such an emotive subject the trainers ability to create a safe and positive atmosphere in which learn was amazing. So glad Des & Gary were my trainers"
“ I considered Des and Gary to be absolutely excellent in their presentation of the mental health first aid course. They engaged in a friendly and informative way with every person on each day. It was exactly what we required, but it's not always easy to achieve this, so its not taken for granted. Having them both gave a very good momentum and conversational style to the information making it easier to digest, and mixing between serious subjects and laughter was achieved with ease. I would be very happy to undertake another course with them and recommend them to other organizations“
“One of the best training sessions I have ever attended. Very informative but fun. Managed the room well and very aware of peoples emotions due to triggering content. Gary and Des are excellent ambassadors for public health scotland and their efforts to help fight mental health challenges.
Feedback and evaluation from each course is completed by participants and forwarded to Scottish mental health first aid & Living Works.
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