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Mental Health in Primary Care

Programme Overview

 The Mental Health Programme is a comprehensive course designed to equip healthcare professionals working in general practice, primary care, and nursing homes with the knowledge and skills needed to address mental health challenges across diverse patient populations. With a focus on adolescents, older persons, and individuals with neurological conditions and learning disabilities, this programme aims to enhance participants’ abilities to identify early signs, provide timely intervention, and deliver person-centred care.

Aims

The Mental Health Programme for Healthcare Professionals in General Practice and Primary Care, including Nursing Homesand community centre’s, aims to provide comprehensive knowledge and practical skills to enhance the understanding, identification, and management of mental health challenges across diverse age groups, particularly in adolescents, older persons, and individuals with neurological conditions and learning disabilities.

Objectives: By the end of the programme, participants should be able to:

  1. Recognise and identify common mental health issues in adolescents, older persons, and individuals with neurological conditions and learning disabilities.
  2. Apply evidence-based strategies for early detection, intervention, and management of mental health challenges in these specific populations.
  3. Enhance communication skills to effectively engage with patients, caregivers, and families to support mental well-being.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of mental health on patients’ overall health and quality of life.
  5. Develop person-centred care plans that consider the unique needs and preferences of individuals with mental health challenges in diverse care settings, including nursing homes.
  6. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic and integrated mental health care for patients in general practice and primary care, including nursing homes.
  7. Recognize the role of self-care and resilience-building strategies for both healthcare professionals and patients in managing mental health challenges.
  8. Implement best practices and evidence-based approaches to promote mental well-being and reduce stigma associated with mental health in these specific patient populations.

Who Should Attend

  • Registered Mental Health Nurses
  • General Practitioners (GPs) and Family Physicians
  • Primary Care Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers
  • Nurses and Nurse Practitioners in General Practice and Primary Care
  • Mental Health Specialists and Psychiatrists working in Primary Care Settings
  • Allied Health Professionals (Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists)
  • Healthcare Professionals providing care in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities

Prerequisites

To ensure that participants can make the most of the Mental Health Programme, it is recommended that they have:

  1. A background in healthcare, specifically in general practice, primary care, or nursing home settings.
  2. Familiarity with the basics of mental health assessment and management.
  3. Experience in working with patients across different age groups, including adolescents and older persons.
  4. A commitment to improving mental health care and outcomes for patients with neurological conditions and learning disabilities.
  5. Willingness to actively engage in discussions, case studies, and group activities during the programme.
  6. An open-minded approach to learning about innovative and evidence-based practices in mental health care.

Modules

  1. Diagnosing and Coding Anxiety and Depression: A Guide for Mental Health Nurses in Primary Care

In this focused 3-hour webinar, participants will delve into the intricacies of diagnosing and coding anxiety and depression within the context of primary care. Led by a consultant psychiatrist, the session is tailored to offer a blend of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and interactive discussions. Participants will learn to identify early signs of these mental health conditions, employ established screening tools effectively, and accurately apply ICD-10 codes

2. Mandatory Training in Mental Health Awareness for Healthcare Professionals

This mandatory training for health and social care course aims to enable healthcare professionals and staff working with patients who have a mental health disorder, meet their mandatory training requirements. These modules aim to discuss common mental illness presentations in primary care.

3. Mental Health Conditions in Adolescents and Young People

The Mental Health in Adolescents and Young People course is a comprehensive program designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively address the unique mental health challenges faced by adolescents and young individuals. This course aims to enhance understanding, early identification, and evidence-based interventions to support the mental well-being of this critical age group.

4. Mental Health Disorders in Primary Care

The Mental Health Disorders in Primary Care course is an audio recording by a consultant psychiatrists and is designed to provide an overview for healthcare professionals working in primary care settings with the knowledge and skills to effectively identify, assess, and manage common mental health disorders seen in primary care.

5. Caring for older persons with Parkinsons

The Caring for Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease course is designed to provide healthcare professionals with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills to effectively care for older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Through a combination of theoretical instruction and case studies,  participants will develop the competencies necessary to deliver person-centred care and improve the quality of life for older adults living with Parkinson’s disease.

6. Parkinsons and Dementia

The Parkinson’s and Dementia Webinar is a comprehensive online program designed to provide healthcare professionals with the latest insights, evidence-based approaches, and practical strategies in the management of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. This three-hour webinar aims to enhance participants’ understanding of these neurological conditions, early identification of symptoms, and effective interventions to improve the quality of life for patients and their caregivers.

7. Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neurone Disease in Older Patients

The Multiple Sclerosis in Older Adults: Assessment and Management course is specifically designed to provide healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively assess and manage multiple sclerosis (MS) in older adults. As the population ages, the prevalence of MS among older adults is increasing, presenting unique challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and care.

8. Management of Epilepsy in Older Patients

This course aims to provide healthcare professionals, caregivers, and individuals with an understanding of epilepsy in older people. Participants will gain knowledge about the unique challenges associated with epilepsy in this population and develop skills to effectively manage and support older individuals living with epilepsy. The course will cover various topics, including the causes, diagnosis, treatment, safety considerations, for older adults with epilepsy

9. Autism Awareness

The Autism Awareness course is designed to provide participants with essential knowledge and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its impact on a child’s daily life. 

10. Management of challenging behaviour in older people with medical conditions.