Skilled level

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The skilled level includes the knowledge and skills needed by front-line staff who are not mental health specialists but work in health, social care, public services, and other related areas. These staff members often have direct and/or substantial contact with people who may be at risk of mental ill health, self-harm, or suicide. Because of this, they play a key role in promoting mental health and helping to prevent self-harm and suicide.

Towards Better Outcomes - eLearning module

Sign into your Turas account to access this module. 

This module will support you to develop your understanding of what health inequalities are in the context of mental health and the prevention of self-harm and suicide. It will also support you to respond to inequalities and enable change through your practice.

Towards better outcomes : Reducing mental health inequalities and helping to prevent self-harm and suicide | Turas | Learn

Learning Bytes

A learning byte is a self-directed learning resource, designed to support learners to explore a topic in some depth at their own pace. There are five learning bytes. Each one covers a different topic, but they are all connected. Common themes run through them, and they refer to each other when helpful. You can complete them in any order.

Learning bytes 2 and 4 have additional video resources to support them. 

The learning bytes can be used by individuals, teams, organisations, or training providers to support local learning and development needs.

The learning bytes covers subjects which can be distressing. Choose a time and place that is suitable for you to complete them and take a break if you need to. If you experience any distress, speak to someone you trust or contact one of the organisations listed below:

  • Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours)
  • NHS 24: 111 (24 hours)
  • Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday – 6am Monday). 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday – Thursday)
  • Childline 0800 1111 (24 hours)
Learning Byte 1: Promoting Mental Health and Tackling Inequalities
Learning Byte 2: Supporting People in Distress and Crisis
  • Aim

The resources grouped here will support learning – relevant to people with roles at the skilled level of practice – about how to support people experiencing distress and crisis.

  • Get started

This video will introduce you to the topic of supporting people in distress and crisis. It covers some fundamental ideas and concepts and will prepare you for further learning. The video introduces Sasha, whose story you can explore further in the next step.

Learning Byte 2 Introductory film

Learning Byte 2 Introductory film transcript

  • Apply

This resource provides a structured approach to learning more about the topic of supporting people in distress and crisis. Using scenarios, some based on the characters you met in the previous step, you will work through a range of content that will help you take your knowledge and skills into your work.

Learning Byte 2: Supporting People in Distress and Crisis

Word version available here:

Learning Byte 2 (Microsoft Word version)

Reflect

This video provides a summary of the learning gained in the previous two steps. You can use it as a basis for reflection or as a means of refreshing your knowledge at any time. You do not need to ‘watch’ this video – you can just listen if this feels like the right approach for you.

Learning Byte 2 Discussion video

Learning Byte 2 Discussion video transcript

After you have accessed one or more of the resources collated here, take time to reflect on:

  • What key messages stood out to you?
  • What do you need to explore further or learn more about?
  • What could you apply in practice today?
Learning Byte 3: Supporting People at Risk of Suicide
Learning Byte 4: Supporting People who Self-Harm
  • Aim

The resources grouped here will support learning – relevant to people with roles at the skilled level of practice – about how to support people at risk of self-harm and who self-harm.

  • Get started

This video will introduce you to the topic of supporting people who self-harm.  It covers some fundamental ideas and concepts and will prepare you for further learning. The video introduces two characters – Jim and Katie – whose stories you can explore further in the next step.

Learning Byte 4 Introductory film

Learning Byte 4 Introductory film transcript

  • Apply

This resource provides a structured approach to learning more about the topic of supporting people who self-harm. Using scenarios, some based on the characters you met in the previous step, you will work through a range of content that will help you take your knowledge and skills into your work.

Learning Byte 4 : Supporting People who Self-Harm 

Word version available here:

Learning Byte 4 (Microsoft Word version)

  • Reflect

This video provides a summary of the learning gained in the previous two steps. You can use it as a basis for reflection or as a means of refreshing your knowledge at any time. You do not need to ‘watch’ this video – you can just listen if this feels like the right approach for you.

Learning Byte 4 Discussion video

Learning Byte 4 Discussion video transcript

After you have accessed one or more of the resources collated here, take time to reflect on:

  • What key messages stood out to you?
  • What do you need to explore further or learn more about?
  • What could you apply in practice today?
Learning Byte 5: Supporting Recovery and Quality of Life for People Living with Mental Ill Health