Bringing together Healthcare providers; Care professionals and Service Users to help shape the future of Mental Health Services. “Thinking Creatively to make Mental Health Communities Stronger and more Effective” Mental Health Conference 2016

Mindfulness in the Workplace Mark Whittle BSc., MSc. Specialist Consultant Mindfulness has become a new buzzword in the world of business, people are now more aware of it, the media often covers it and even the medical professions and government are looking at promoting it in schools and as a form of therapy. With its modern scientific underpinnings, it has come a long way from the meditative traditions that sparked the initial interest for psychologists to study this field and it can now demonstrate concrete effects on the mind and subsequent wellbeing. During the session we will explore: What actually is mindfulness How organisations are using it to improve their bottom line What are the results and evidence How we are currently piloting it at Shaw and our own experiences Should you consider it for yourself and your organisation" Specialist Workshop Topics Reactive Attachment & Sexual Offending Grant Duff B.A., M.A.(Psych), MBPsS Specialist Consultant The workshop is intended to stimulate discussion around attachment styles and the development of pro-offending attitudes in sexual offenders. How do Sexual Predators give themselves the permission to commit sexual offences? What is it that drives someone to commission a sexual offence? With a broad discussion of reactive attachment disorders and exercises such as the time-life-line attachment pattern, this workshop will offer some perspective on these very questions.

Walking on Seesaws: An Empathetic Look at Anxiety Disorders Simon Brown Learning and Development Consultant and Facilitator in Social Care Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. The information in this session is about a specific condition called generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). We will share an understanding of precipitating factors which trigger anxieties within us and look at what we mean by tangible anxieties and also generalised anxiety disorder. The session will take us though the journey experienced by those with this disorder and will identify the effect on the sufferer. A journey of many highs and many lows, like a journey of walking on seesaws! Specialist Workshop Topics Sensory Theraplay with Vulnerable Children Annice Thomas HCPC Registered Senior Social Worker The mental health of children is greatly affected by abuse, trauma and separation and loss and as a consequence children find it difficult to communicate verbally. This “ hands on” workshop will give you a range of creative skills to use with children and teens that will enable educational, health and social care professionals to communicate in a sensory and direct child focus way.

Self Harm Awareness Satveer Nijjar Self-harm Trainer & Facilitator During the session we will explore: Why young people self-harm (functions and triggers) Mental illness and self-harm The relationship between suicide and self-harm The importance of talking to young people about mental health and ill health and not simply responding to crisis Specialist Workshop Topics My Therapist Eats Grass: Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy for Mental Health Dr Marie-Louise Holmes BSc., MSc., DClinPsch., Cpsychol., EAGALA Consultant Clinical Psychologist Hannah Turrell BSc., MSc. EAGALA Researcher/Equine facilitated psychotherapist This interactive session will explore the use of equine facilitated psychotherapy for patients with mental illness, presenting the award winning equine therapy programme running at Surehaven Glasgow we will introduce you to equine facilitated psychotherapy and open up the possibilities of this innovative therapeutic approach for a wide range of individuals and services. Through case study evidence we will demonstrate the power of the human-horse relationship and suggest equine therapy as a clinically viable treatment for a wide variety of individuals and show that its effect can be rapid, sustained and measurable.

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