Mental Health Issues

[geek84]

Hi Folks

As some of you may be aware, that has been a lot of news recently about mental health.

One of my best friends committed suicide a few years ago because he could not cope with his mental issues, and another friend of mine is going through some mental health issues at the moment.

I thought it was a good idea to train myself up or go on a training course in order to become a mental health advisor/counsellor..

Is anybody aware of any suitable online courses?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[popeyewhite]

I don't think there will be any reputable online courses. I think due to the nature of the training you'd need to actually be in the company of another person to practice skills, for a number of reasons. There are courses run at local colleges/hospices etc - try ABC.

[C0ffin D0dger]

I'd guess the Samaritans are always on the lookout for volunteers if you're feeling keen to help people out?

[geek84]

Thanks folks

[StevieBee]

This is a highly complex field and one full of risks, physically and professionally. Whilst there are some training opportunities out there, my own view is that those that can equip someone to make proper and meaningful contributions to someone's life require a commitment of time (and money) to very high levels.

One of the most effective things one can do to help mates in a pickle is to simply talk to them and be there for them - as a mate.

Fully qualified, professional psychotherapists and psychologists would not take a personal friend as a patient anyway (I don't think they are allowed to).

I would avoid being sucked into the 'Life Coach' thing. In my view and experience, Life Coaches cause more harm than good and most of them are in more need of life coaching than their clients. Life Coaching is perhaps useful for people looking to boost their career or address minor anxiety issues but the problem is that many life coaches think they are psychologists. They are not - not even close to being one.

Of course not everyone that supports those with mental health issues is or needs to be a physiologist or psychotherapist but even at a support level, a high degree of training is required and is not something than is generally dispensed on a semi-professional basis.

As mentioned, probably the best 'free' or low cost means to acquire some skills is via volunteering for the Samaritans.

Good on you for at least thinking this way OP. Need more like you out there!

[Hoofy]

Could train to be a mental health first aider. https://mhfaengland.org/

It's about learning to identify if someone is having issues and then directing them to the seek help as appropriate.

As mentioned above, helping them takes training either as a psychologist, therapist or counsellor. Even working as a Samaritan takes a bucket load of training.

The key to being a good mate with a friendly ear is to have a non-judgemental attitude but to not provide advice beyond "it might be an idea to seek professional help".

StevieBee said:

I would avoid being sucked into the 'Life Coach' thing. In my view and experience, Life Coaches cause more harm than good and most of them are in more need of life coaching than their clients. Life Coaching is perhaps useful for people looking to boost their career or address minor anxiety issues but the problem is that many life coaches think they are psychologists. They are not - not even close to being one.

A life coach should not be trying to help anyone with anxiety or other mental health issue. That is not their training.

[Boozy]

StevieBee said:

One of the most effective things one can do to help mates in a pickle is to simply talk to them and be there for them - as a mate.

We need to admit that as "men" it's ok to talk to each other and say we have a concern, problem, feel stress. We're our own worst enemies with phrases like man up, grow a pair of balls etc.

It's ok to say you're unhappy and can't cope and we need to help each other get there quickly. Suicide is killing way too many men because we don't help ourselves, there's enough of us here that share the same problems I'm sure - we just need to call it out and more importantly listen.

[bucksmanuk]

Boozy said:

StevieBee said:

One of the most effective things one can do to help mates in a pickle is to simply talk to them and be there for them - as a mate.

We need to admit that as "men" it's ok to talk to each other and say we have a concern, problem, feel stress. We're our own worst enemies with phrases like man up, grow a pair of balls etc.

It's ok to say you're unhappy and can't cope and we need to help each other get there quickly. Suicide is killing way too many men because we don't help ourselves, there's enough of us here that share the same problems I'm sure - we just need to call it out and more importantly listen.

I know this seems like being a pedant, but the words chosen tend to indicate the mistake most people make when helping someone in need.
“To simply TALK to them” is most people’s response and that’s exactly what they do. The person who’s struggling with life and requires some help wants/needs someone to shut up for once and actually LISTEN to them - as alluded to above.

We all know people for whom the former is extremely easy, but the latter is almost impossible..

[popeyewhite]

StevieBee said:

Fully qualified, professional psychotherapists and psychologists would not take a personal friend as a patient anyway (I don't think they are allowed to).

Nothing specifically banning the practice, just that it would be impossible to maintain professional boundaries, and be potentially harmful to the client!

Earlier someone mentioned The Samaritans - I think you can answer the telephones and give support without any formal training - they are happy to take any help they can get IIRC (or they were, I'm not sure about current practice).

[coldel]

StevieBee said:

This is a highly complex field and one full of risks, physically and professionally. Whilst there are some training opportunities out there, my own view is that those that can equip someone to make proper and meaningful contributions to someone's life require a commitment of time (and money) to very high levels.

One of the most effective things one can do to help mates in a pickle is to simply talk to them and be there for them - as a mate.

Fully qualified, professional psychotherapists and psychologists would not take a personal friend as a patient anyway (I don't think they are allowed to).

I would avoid being sucked into the 'Life Coach' thing. In my view and experience, Life Coaches cause more harm than good and most of them are in more need of life coaching than their clients. Life Coaching is perhaps useful for people looking to boost their career or address minor anxiety issues but the problem is that many life coaches think they are psychologists. They are not - not even close to being one.

Of course not everyone that supports those with mental health issues is or needs to be a physiologist or psychotherapist but even at a support level, a high degree of training is required and is not something than is generally dispensed on a semi-professional basis.

As mentioned, probably the best 'free' or low cost means to acquire some skills is via volunteering for the Samaritans.

Good on you for at least thinking this way OP. Need more like you out there!

For balance, Life Coaching never claims (anyone working with the proper associations anyway) to replace psychologists or the like. It is a completely different field of expertise and on the flip side a psychologist would not be qualified to life coach people either. I can only presume you had a bad experience as all the coaches I have come across never claim to be able to deal with psychological issues and would in any case refer them to a professional in that field if they did come across it in the pre-screening before any sessions.

[Teddy Lop]

Don't know about online-only, but the mrs did the psychosynthesis introductory course (4 day long weekend) and highly rates it - cherry picks bits from a lot of established psychology and counselling knowledge. She's looking to undertake the full course and may switch her career to counselling either full or part time.

[Hoofy]

bucksmanuk said:

Boozy said:

StevieBee said:

One of the most effective things one can do to help mates in a pickle is to simply talk to them and be there for them - as a mate.

We need to admit that as "men" it's ok to talk to each other and say we have a concern, problem, feel stress. We're our own worst enemies with phrases like man up, grow a pair of balls etc.

It's ok to say you're unhappy and can't cope and we need to help each other get there quickly. Suicide is killing way too many men because we don't help ourselves, there's enough of us here that share the same problems I'm sure - we just need to call it out and more importantly listen.

I know this seems like being a pedant, but the words chosen tend to indicate the mistake most people make when helping someone in need.
“To simply TALK to them” is most people’s response and that’s exactly what they do. The person who’s struggling with life and requires some help wants/needs someone to shut up for once and actually LISTEN to them - as alluded to above.

We all know people for whom the former is extremely easy, but the latter is almost impossible..

Yep, and listen without judgement. That's also pretty tricky.

[Hoofy]

popeyewhite said:

StevieBee said:

Fully qualified, professional psychotherapists and psychologists would not take a personal friend as a patient anyway (I don't think they are allowed to).

Nothing specifically banning the practice, just that it would be impossible to maintain professional boundaries, and be potentially harmful to the client!

Earlier someone mentioned The Samaritans - I think you can answer the telephones and give support without any formal training - they are happy to take any help they can get IIRC (or they were, I'm not sure about current practice).

There is training even if you don't get a certificate. They won't just give Chopper Reid a phone and tell him to have fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EY7lYRneHc

[StevieBee]

coldel said:

StevieBee said:

This is a highly complex field and one full of risks, physically and professionally. Whilst there are some training opportunities out there, my own view is that those that can equip someone to make proper and meaningful contributions to someone's life require a commitment of time (and money) to very high levels.

One of the most effective things one can do to help mates in a pickle is to simply talk to them and be there for them - as a mate.

Fully qualified, professional psychotherapists and psychologists would not take a personal friend as a patient anyway (I don't think they are allowed to).

I would avoid being sucked into the 'Life Coach' thing. In my view and experience, Life Coaches cause more harm than good and most of them are in more need of life coaching than their clients. Life Coaching is perhaps useful for people looking to boost their career or address minor anxiety issues but the problem is that many life coaches think they are psychologists. They are not - not even close to being one.

Of course not everyone that supports those with mental health issues is or needs to be a physiologist or psychotherapist but even at a support level, a high degree of training is required and is not something than is generally dispensed on a semi-professional basis.

As mentioned, probably the best 'free' or low cost means to acquire some skills is via volunteering for the Samaritans.

Good on you for at least thinking this way OP. Need more like you out there!

For balance, Life Coaching never claims (anyone working with the proper associations anyway) to replace psychologists or the like. It is a completely different field of expertise and on the flip side a psychologist would not be qualified to life coach people either. I can only presume you had a bad experience as all the coaches I have come across never claim to be able to deal with psychological issues and would in any case refer them to a professional in that field if they did come across it in the pre-screening before any sessions.

I work in the field of Behaviour Change. Whilst not at a one to one level, I am nonetheless exposed to the wider subject which invariably includes the world of psychology and related endeavours. My belief is that Life Coaching is a valid service but the boundaries between this and psychotherapy is all too often blurred - both by the Life Coaches themselves and their clients who place too higher expectation on what they might get from such a service. Let me give you one example.

A good friend of mine has been in a difficult place for several years now. It's resulted in his marriage ending and the loss of his home and what was once a comfortable life. Four years ago, I spotted the signs of depression amongst other things and urged him to seek professional help and see if my suspicions were on the money. At this time, he was considering splitting from his wife and selling the house. I made the point that if my belief was to be proven wrong, then at least he would be making decisions safe in the knowledge that they were being made with a clear head. If I was right, then it might be prudent to hold off on such choices otherwise he'd be in the same place mentally but without a wife or a home.

He opted to seek the support of a Life Coach. Between them, they determined that the root of his angst was a failed business endeavour in which he lost over £100k. This was so far off the mark as to be on a different planet - a fact proven by a second business he is trying to launch in which he has already sunk £50k and which will never work.

He is now 55, divorced, renting with little prospect of owning his own home again and his mental state has not improved.

I identified the root as being the relationship he had with his late Dad, which was not a good one. Throughout his life, from his father he received criticism and ambivalence. As a result and as an older middle aged man, his life is thus absolutely and totally consumed by the need to demonstrate to the world that he is successful at something - anything. He seeks validation for everything that he does and actively avoids situations where his ideas might be challenged. His social media is filled with stuff that he is 'going to do' but little about what he has 'done' (and he has done some good stuff that has been successful). So he is driven to succeed at all costs but frightened at the prospect of actually succeeding in case people criticise what he has done.

This has been part of his make up for a time long before the first failed business and until he addresses this head on, he will not be able to move forward. The fact that his Life Coach a) failed to recognise this and b) suggested an alternative - to me - is a dangerous thing. Certainly unhelpful.

The irony is that my friend is also a qualified Life Coach.

However, I do recognise that there are good ones out there and I'm certainly not 'dissing' the profession or its benefits. But I do thing that there are too many who misunderstand the role it plays in people's lives and venturing into this path (both as practitioner and recipient) requires recognition of the boundaries that exist - professionally, medically and morally.

[coldel]

And I would argue that your example is probably more of an extreme case of a practioner taking a wrong course of action, just like any field of expertise be it life coaching or repairing cars and making a bad diagnoses and choice.

My wife is a life coach and one of my life long friends is a psychologist and what they do in their jobs couldn't be any more different, I have spoken to my friend about work challenges, stresses etc and she just couldn't understand. Psychologists are a whole different ball game, and in fact I find do struggle with listening to problems which are outside their own expertise (my friend is a criminal psychologist) as they feel its their obligation to find answers - a life coach should never give answers, and a good pointer for a bad life coach is when they start doing this.

I agree with you if someone is suicidal there are very clear routes to help but that doesn't mean a life coach is a poor version of a psychologist, they are often very talented people who have huge experience working with people, who have moved into life coaching. Its just that it serves a different purpose, solving different challenges that people have.

Anyway, I don't mean to digress as this is a serious thread.

[Hoofy]

Stevie, sounds like a case of: if all you have is a hammer and all you know is how to use a hammer, everything becomes a nail.

You're probably right (from the info presented) that he shouldn't have used a life coach; the life coach he did use may well have been desperate for work or only saw things from the viewpoint of a life coach - not ideal (see the hammer statement, above).

I know a few coaches and they will not take on work that is clearly for a therapist/counsellor/psychologist. They only work with people who have the right mindset.

[sparkyb999]

Great idea.. I volunteer to be your first client!!! If you can sort my head out, you will sort anyone's!

I started up a YouTube channel ("Pursuit of happy") to voice my thoughts a couple of weeks ago, Not sure why I created it really, but I have always enjoyed recording and editing videos, but I am not clever enough to make content to make a go of YT, so thought recording videos of a topic I am very in tune with may help others.

I thought it may help people who want to join a community, write their experiences and will give me topics to discuss. It may give someone a visual platform to goto and to be able to engage.

Like you, I also would love to help people with issues and I have over 20 years experience

[popeyewhite]

coldel said:

My wife is a life coach and one of my life long friends is a psychologist and what they do in their jobs couldn't be any more different, I have spoken to my friend about work challenges, stresses etc and she just couldn't understand. Psychologists are a whole different ball game, and in fact I find do struggle with listening to problems which are outside their own expertise (my friend is a criminal psychologist) as they feel its their obligation to find answers - a life coach should never give answers, and a good pointer for a bad life coach is when they start doing this.

The job of a psychologist isn't to find answers. but to interpret thoughts/behaviours based on theory. Theory also provides course of action, situation dependant. Most branches of psychology are directive, ie the psychologist asks questions in order to reach deeper into the client's thought processes. however it may be the case that as a crimiunal psychologist has an end-goal, ie looking for motive, a more direct, led, style of session with the client may be the norm. Does a life coach have formal training?

[coldel]

popeyewhite said:

The job of a psychologist isn't to find answers. but to interpret thoughts/behaviours based on theory. Theory also provides course of action, situation dependant. Most branches of psychology are directive, ie the psychologist asks questions in order to reach deeper into the client's thought processes. however it may be the case that as a crimiunal psychologist has an end-goal, ie looking for motive, a more direct, led, style of session with the client may be the norm. Does a life coach have formal training?

Yes, life coaches do have formal training. Unfortunately there are a few cowboys out there that think after a one hour introduction online course they are a life coach. Proper life coaches are very good at what they do and give value and benefit to the person engaging with them. What happens too often is some people get a bad one and then tar the rest of the industry with that experience - there is also the feeling I get with some people that because a psychologist spends years training which is much more than a life coach that somehow makes life coaching a lesser skill, which again it isn't. But bad experiences can happen anywhere, with mechanics, plumbers and dare I say it even psychologists.

[Hoofy]

Anyone can call themselves a life coach. Many have proper training, many do not. You see a lot of people calling themselves life coaches on Instagram who are barely out of school and just like the sound of their own voice. Talking of directive and non-directive, life coaches are supposed to be non-directive. If you're directive, you're not a coach but are either a mentor, an advisor, a trainer or an idiot who should quit with the duckface photos.

Being able to quote from The Matrix 3 does not make you woke.