Community Learning Mental Health Research Project Manchester Webinar 20th October 2016

Tackling Symptoms of Mental Ill Health through Adult Community Learning

Who are we? Back on Track Manchester Adult Education Service CLMHR Phase 1 - Heads Up 5 Ways to Wellbeing Connect; Take Notice; Be Active; Give; Keep Learning

Structure of Webinar Previous Research Adapting Heads Up for Phase 2 Our methodology for linking Mental Health symptoms with an established ACL activity We will focus on the Connect Pathway How this can be adapted to the rest of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing and other ACL courses

Why the 5 Ways to Wellbeing? How do general ACL courses improve wellbeing?

Previous Research Title: Examining the Effect of a Community-based Adult Learning Program on Well-being Completed by an external Masters student on Back on Track and MAES Adult Community Learning provision Interviewed Back on Track Learners Produced Case Studies

about their Mental Health Learner Quotes about their Mental Health

Our families don’t understand because they are not feeling it… I came back to Manchester at the end of February, and I was depressed. My mental state was just not there. I was trying out different things and I got told about this place… My problem is depression and anxiety: that’s what my illness was. I don’t want to go out and talk to people. Our families don’t understand because they are not feeling it… Having a hidden illness is worse than having an illness you can see, so it’s easy to push people away, because you feel by pushing them away you are saving them from seeing the real you. I have mental health problems but coming here gets me out of the house.

at MAES and Back on Track Learner Quotes about Connection at MAES and Back on Track

You get to be with people who are in the same situation as you – there’s no fear of being different I feel safe here. They offer you friendship and it makes you feel safe. My depression goes up and down, but I can deal with it better now. I can go out instead of isolating myself. It’s like being in a small community where we are equal, like a family.

Our methodology for linking Mental Health symptoms with Connect

How can the Connect pathway address common symptoms of anxiety and depression? What causes people to lose connection? When people lose connection, how might it make them feel? How can we support people to reconnect?

What are the symptoms of mild–moderate mental health problems? NHS guidelines for symptoms of depression and anxiety Mental Health Self Assessments

… and how do these symptoms link to the Connect Pathway?

Challenging circumstances lack of connection Challenging circumstances Life transitions Past experiences No obvious reason

Challenging circumstances lack of connection Feeling low Feeling anxious Feeling self-conscious Feeling pre-occupied Feeling bad about yourself Losing interest in things Feeling numb Challenging circumstances Life transitions Past experiences No obvious reason

Challenging circumstances lack of connection Withdrawing from familiar people Losing confidence about connecting with new people Disconnecting from own feelings Feeling out of touch with society Getting out of the habit of connecting Feeling low Feeling anxious Feeling self-conscious Feeling pre-occupied Feeling bad about yourself Losing interest in things Feeling numb Challenging circumstances Life transitions Past experiences No obvious reason

Challenging circumstances lack of connection Withdrawing from familiar people Losing confidence about connecting with new people Disconnecting from own feelings Feeling out of touch with society Getting out of the habit of connecting Challenging circumstances Life transitions Past experiences No obvious reason

Challenging circumstances lack of connection Withdrawing from familiar people Losing confidence about connecting with new people Disconnecting from own feelings Feeling out of touch with society Getting out of the habit of connecting Feeling low Feeling anxious Feeling self-conscious Feeling pre-occupied Feeling bad about yourself Losing interest in things Feeling numb Challenging circumstances Life transitions Past experiences No obvious reason

Challenging circumstances lack of connection Withdrawing from familiar people Losing confidence about connecting with new people Disconnecting from own feelings Feeling out of touch with society Getting out of the habit of connecting Feeling low Feeling anxious Feeling self-conscious Feeling pre-occupied Feeling bad about yourself Losing interest in things Feeling numb Challenging circumstances Life transitions Past experiences No obvious reason

How to tackle lack of connection in a learning environment?

lack of connection Withdrawing from familiar people Losing confidence about connecting with new people Disconnecting from own feelings Feeling out of touch with society Getting out of the habit of connecting Provide a framework for connection and encourage reconnecting through structured activities Teach and practise skills to help with communication Teach activities to be able to connect with oneself Encourage learners to discover and share with others their own ideas and strategies for connecting Encourage learners to practise outside of the classroom, setting their own goals for connection

How can our course help with lack of connection? From the previous research we know that general ACL helped More focus on self-managing symptoms can help learners develop their own strategies outside of the classroom We can raise learner awareness about what it is that is helping and why and increase motivation to self-manage In this way, we hope to provide even better results for improved mental health because learners can take their learning beyond the classroom

Heads Up For the other 4 pathways we will follow this methodology of: Look at the symptoms that link with the pathway when it is absent or goes wrong Consider why a person may ‘lose’ the ability to complete this pathway Explore how re-engaging with the pathway can provide self-management strategies for a learner

Tackling symptoms of ill health through Adult Community Learning Expand this methodology to any subject Art Drama Music Communication Focus on how what symptoms link with the activity, and how by re-engaging with an activity can provide self-management techniques for learners with mild-moderate mental health problems.

Any Questions?