Norma Macleod from Health Promotion spent two days recently training work coaches from the local Job Centre on mental health.

The course, which was developed by the DWP, was for staff who work directly with claimants and is aimed at building on existing skills to give them techniques to use during contact with claimants with mental health issues.

After the training participants stated they felt they had increased their confidence and knowledge on mental health, and felt better equipped to have discussions with claimants. They were also able to identify how their behaviour could have an impact on claimants and how to work with them to identify the claimant’s strengths, build their confidence and increase their self esteem. Finally they looked at their own mental health and learnt more about the range of assistance/sources available to them from DWP.