This guest post comes from Emma Currie, a tutor mentor who writes about her recent completion of an online course via Future Learn.
After recently completing ‘Understanding Depression and Low Mood in Young People’ (accredited by the University of Reading) I was very impressed by the content and informal assessment strategies, even more so when trialing some of the approaches with my students.
Firstly the exploration of different perspectives; a young person; the parents and those working with young people; gave good advice, prompts and direct questions to use in certain situations to encourage teenagers to talk to someone about their thoughts to ensure their safety.
Suggestions on how to approach the topic of low mood and self harm with a young person in a non judgmental but supportive manner resonated with me as it is something I feel I am coming across more and more within my role.
Discussion around the connection of low mood, depression and self harm offered ways and questioning techniques to help better understand self harm. By thinking about:
- What are the triggers?
- How does it help with things – e.g does it stop overwhelming thoughts, or block out painful emotions?
- Are there any situations or people which help you not to self-harm?
The course also examined other strategies which could also lead to considering alternative coping mechanisms.
Finally, the links between depression, low mood, sleep and healthy eating were reviewed offering ways to identify a repeating cycle in order to alter the thought processes and ultimately break the chain of events.
The course reminds us that we aren’t alone in our struggles and offers many sign posted to specific organisations and charities for help and further information.
I have been a Tutor Mentor at the college since the role was created, I have attended various training events and completed a number of courses that focus on depression and low mood. When given the opportunity to engage in this course online I jumped at the chance, as a way to enhance my understanding and new ways of thinking. I have been working with a young person that is struggling with sleep and I tried a new approach (questioning) as suggested on the course and I was so impressed with how the conversation opened up. I feel the information shared is something I can embed greatly into my role, making me more effective.
I cannot recommend this course enough. It is well worth the time spent.
