The Community Health Ambassador (CHA) training programme is a 2 week long opportunity to access mental health training from experienced mental health professionals and people who have experienced mental health services. The 2 weeks are split across 3 months from November 2011 to January 2012 with the graduation ceremony planned for May 2012. The programme is for people who want to make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of their local community.
Why is the Early Intervention in Psychosis Team (EIIP) offering this programme?
There is evidence to show that people of a South Asian background tend to seek help from friends and family for mental health problems. This is a good thing as this social support is very important for recovery. But sometimes social support isn't enough. The CHA Programme aims to develop the understanding, knowledge and skill of mental health and illness of a select number of individuals. This will enable these individuals to become Community Health Ambassadors (CHAs) who can be better able to spot the signs of mental illness and signpost people who are experiencing mental health problems to the appropriate health services. This will in turn improve access to health services and improve the health & wellbeing of the local community.
How will the programme be delivered?
The training will take place in 3 ways:
1. Face to face group learning at Aldershot Centre for Health;
2. An e-Learning module accessible on your computer at home or any other place where there is internet connection;
3. Orientation visits to mental health teams in the local area.
Face to face learning will take place once or twice a week in an informal and informative setting where mental health professionals will share their expertise and aim to get you to think about your own knowledge and beliefs about mental illness. This will be complimented by visits to local mental health services where you can explore the range of help that is available to the local community.
