Mental Health Improvement

SDC has developed mental health improvement: evidence and practice evaluation guides and case studies. The guides bring together information on evaluation theory and practice with a discussion of current debates and challenges in the field of mental health improvement. They are intended to help colleagues design evaluations of interventions that build on what is known about mental health and about what works to improve it.

Wellbeing at Work

SDC has extensive knowledge around employability and mental health, through work with a variety of partnerships in Scotland Europe e.g. Workforce Plus. Therefore, it is in an ideal position to provide awareness raising for employers around creating mentally healthy workplaces, that is developing workplaces, which allow employees to reach their potential and employees and businesses to flourish. SDC can provide bespoke training to:

• Build understanding of why promoting well being and mental health at work is important
• Raise awareness of the characteristics of a mentally healthy organisation and how it promotes well-being
• Develop action plans with employers to increase create a supportive workplace that promotes well being, positively impacts on profitability and productivity and supports individuals with mental health issues.

Mentally Healthy Workplaces Training

In partnership with the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives, SDC has designed and developed a two-day training course aimed at middle managers/team leaders to raise their awareness about how to manage and support people who develop mental health problems at work or are returning to work after long-term absence through mental ill health. SDC’s role has been to create the course and supporting materials, train the trainers and support the pilot. After the independent evaluation of this pilot, the course has been adapted and improved to best meet participants’ needs. SDC is responsible for training the trainers to deliver the course and SCHWL is supporting the delivery across Scotland.

SMHFA

Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) is the help given to someone experiencing a mental health crisis or problem before professional help is obtained.

SDC has been involved in the development of SMHFA: initially rolling it out in Scotland; introducing it to Wales; managing the National SMHFA Training Team and the training and approval of instructors.

Scotland ’s Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) for further information.