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One of Guernsey's mental health units has been honoured with an award, while two teachers have completed training to ensure they can help other people with their own mental health.
Tautenay Ward at the Oberlands is the mental health assessment unit for older adults who are experiencing dementia and/or other mental ill health.
It has been awarded Blue SCAPE status which stands for Safe, Clean & Personal Every Day.
The award was developed by a UK Health Trust to ensure that standards of quality and care are high and it is only awarded following a minimum of three consecutive years’ quality improvement audits, culminating in a presentation by the team to the SCAPE audit Committee.
This award is the 3rd Blue SCAPE award that has been achieved by HSC. Other winners include the Emergency Department and Brehon Ward.
Pictured: The Oberlands facility is the centre of mental health care in Guernsey.
Meanwhile, two local teachers, Helen Banks and Collette Watts, have recently become Mental Health First Aid instructors.
They attended a seven day training programme which is accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health which means they can now run courses throughout the year to enable professionals’ on- Island to become Mental Health First Aiders.
The course teaches others the skills and confidence to spot the signs of mental health issues in a young person, offer first aid and guide them towards the support they need.
Ms Banks said, "we know that, on average, 50% of mental health issues are established by age 14, and 75% by age 18, which means as teachers and other professionals working with young people, we are not only privileged, but optimally placed to deliver both proactive early interventions as well as crisis management support. I had already completed a postgraduate degree in Child and Adolescent Mental Health but this MHFA course is the most accessible training and upskilling package I have seen, andI’m excited that Collette and I have got the opportunity to deliver these courses inGuernsey."
Ms Watts said she is also very excited.
"Like Helen, I am very excited to have been given this opportunity to deliver the MHFA course. We have learnt that 10 years is the average delay in a person first showing signs of mental ill health and getting help this is why it is so important to recognise the signs and reduce stigma and discrimination."
Pictured top: Front row (left to right): Julie Conchar; Helen Banks; Colette Watts; Jo Hann; Middle row (left to right): Sarah Brown; Merilee Tabel; Natalie Gilman; Donna Lloyd-Dodd; Sharon Jenkins; Karen Holt; Back row (left to right): Emily Tostevin; Kiera Vaudin
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