Yeovil College staff pass the mental health grade

NEARLY 90 Yeovil College staff have completed a Level 2 Mental Health Awareness course - the latest in a string of valuable qualifications completed by staff to improve their ability to support students and colleagues.

In the past two years, hundreds of staff from across the college have completed courses in Equality and Diversity and Safeguarding, for which the college received an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating earlier this year.

Staff from all areas of the college completed the most recent course, including the Principal, departmental heads, lecturers, support and administrative staff.

They learned about good mental health and mental ill-health, as well as illnesses such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder.  The course also explored common problems that they may encounter in and out of work, such as stress, eating disorders and post-natal depression.

Student support team leader Jess Churchill was one of the support staff who achieved the qualification. 

She said: “This qualification was very informative and enabled us to learn about various aspects of Mental Health. 

''As well as giving me a better understanding of issues that students may be directly or indirectly dealing with, it has also highlighted things to look out for in myself and colleagues which may mean extra support is needed.  It’s important to remember that anyone and everyone can be affected by Mental Health issues and at any time in their lives. 

''This course has made us all appreciate how widespread Mental Health difficulties can be.  Having such up-to-date knowledge helps us to better support students, each other and the community.''

As well as completing the course, Yeovil College principal James Hampton presented certificates to his fellow students.

He said: “For so many staff to voluntarily complete this qualification is an amazing achievement.  The Mental Health Awareness certificate is the most recent in a series of qualifications offered to staff over the past few years, all providing understanding and skills which will help us better support students and colleagues.

''Personally, I found the Mental Health Awareness training the most useful of all the certificates, because it’s easy to think you know a lot about it and the qualification challenged my preconceptions on many things. 

''Mental Health is an issue which Yeovil College staff have to deal with on a daily basis and this qualification helps to equip them with the knowledge of what to do and who to turn to.  For so many staff to complete this and previous qualifications in their own time alongside busy day jobs shows incredible commitment to our students and the College and we’re incredibly proud of them and their achievements.”