Syllabus

• Week 1

  Week 1: Realising the prevalence and impact of trauma on mental health

  • Introduction: our work and why it matters

    In this activity, we will define some key terms which will be used throughout this course and discuss why a trauma-informed approach should be adopted and embedded in public services within the UK.

  • Common post-migration stressors

    The pre-migration stressors and traumas that asylum seekers will have experienced are vast and varied. However, on arrival in the UK, there are many difficult experiences that will likely be shared by all. Let's explore these.

  • Common mental health difficulties

    In this activity, we will look at some of the common ways in which pre- and post-migration traumas can negatively impact a person’s mental health and wellbeing.

  • Common barriers to accessing mental health support

    We have seen that refugees and asylum seekers are likely to experience a mixture of pre- and post-migration stressors which make them vulnerable to mental illness. Here, we will explore some of the barriers to seeking help.

• Week 2

  Week 2: Recognising and responding to trauma responses

  • Recognising common trauma responses

    Trauma responses will differ for different people and at different times, but in this activity we will look at some of the most common trauma responses to help you recognise trauma.

  • Returning to the zone of tolerance

    In this activity, we will look at ways to support a person who is feeling emotionally dysregulated.

  • Listening well

    Being able to share experiences, feelings or problems to a good listener can be a source of comfort and strength for those who have so much on their minds. In this activity we will look at the art of listening well.

  • Common pitfalls to avoid

    With the best will in the world, sometimes the responses we give when supporting a person experiencing distress or poor mental health can be a further cause for pain or frustration. Let's look at some top tips for avoiding this.

  • Safeguarding

    Refugees and asylum seekers can be particularly vulnerable to experiencing poor mental health. If they experience a mental health crisis, it's important to know how to respond appropriately, to keep them safe.

• Week 3

  Resisting re-traumatisation

  • Safety

    The first of the 5 principles of resisting re-traumatisation is safety. In this activity, we will look at ways to foster feelings of safety for the refugees and asylum seekers you may come into contact with.

  • Choice

    The second principle of resisting re-traumatisation is choice. This means giving the people you are supporting as much choice as possible within your service or interactions. Let's look at this in action.

  • Collaboration and empowerment

    Collaborating with refugees and asylum seekers on the services designed to support them will help to empower them, and both principles can help to resist re-traumatisation. Let's explore this together.

  • Trust

    The fifth principle of resisting re-traumatisation is building trust. Let's explore this in this activity.

  • Wrapping up

    Let's review what we've learned in this course.

Who will you learn with?