Training targeted audiences as part of Time to Change

We will be developing our recent work with specific groups who have a significant impact on the daily lives of people with mental health problems as identified by service users and carers (see ASTEC phase 3 and phase 3i) to form one of the national projects within Time to Change.

During year one of Time to Change, we will continue to deliver our training sessions within the London medical school used to pilot ASTEC, plus 3 other medical schools across England over the life of the project. 

We also plan to work with trainee teachers, through four universities, as one of the most effective and straightforward ways to target young people is through schools.  However, through reaching trainee teachers, it is important to note that children are not the only beneficiary group.  The 2004 Social Exclusion report highlighted the fact that teachers are the most likely occupational group to report high levels of stress. 

Sessions to the trainee teachers will additionally include “On the Edge” - an interactive drama programme developed through collaborative working across psychiatry, applied drama and those with direct experience of psychosis.

This programme takes the audience on a journey with the main characters caught up with a first onset of psychosis for ‘Terry’ and can be experienced through his eyes, the eyes of his girlfriend, best friend, parents and his biology teacher.  Once the play has been performed, the audience have an opportunity to exchange ideas with the characters and explore their shared experience. 

Finally, we will be consulting with service users and carers to ascertain what further audience this national project should be targeting from December 2008 onwards.