SLaM Recovery College Wellbeing Webinars for All 2nd August – 31st August

Hello Students, Colleagues and Friends,

All these sessions are, as always, free of charge. Except for the DESMOND course (see below) they are open to everybody; you don’t need to have any connection at all to the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. We just ask that you answer a few questions and let us know which sessions you’d like to be a part of, using one of the registration forms links below, and we’ll then send you links to the webinars you’ve chosen. 

The majority of our webinars are run as Live Events on the Microsoft Teams platform, meaning that you can join anonymously and will be neither seen nor heard. Instead, you interact by typing questions and comments into a Q&A panel. Occasionally we will run a course in a Meetings format for a limited group of students, where you will be seen and heard, but these will be clearly identified as such. 
  
If you can't make a particular live event you can still enrol and use the link we'll send you to watch a recording later.
 
The Comedy School Improvisation Course
 
N.B. Only available for students with a connection to SLaM - either as a service user, a carer, a volunteer, a peer supporter, an Involvement Register member, or a member of staff.  
 
There is no better place for laughing and learning at the same time than The Comedy School Improvisation Course, specifically designed for SLaM Recovery College. We’re running this seven-week course twice (preceded by taster sessions) starting in late August and running through to October.
 
For more details, dates, and how to register (for these Improv courses only) please read the document below; or you can go straight to the Expression of Interest form: 
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SuTPoS5olUqOctA7m1iHqjpd3n-l3AxAj-8hQpHMfNlUQjUwTFZaT1FRQjJYUVNXUkM4MUExOVhaMC4u
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The Rest of Our August Offer

Five Obstacles on the Road of Recovery
In this programme we will learn how to identify and overcome five significant obstacles on our personal journey of recovery. We will discover what can bring these obstacles about, how we can remove them, and how we can prevent them. We will use a guided mindfulness practice along with practical day-to-day tips. This course is based on the pañca nīvaraṇāni (five hindrances) which are recognised in Buddhist traditions as mental factors that hinder progress in meditation and in our daily lives.
 
Part 1: introduction | 11:30am-12:30pm| Monday 2nd August
Part 2: indulgence | 11:30am-12:30pm | Monday 9th August
Part 3: ill-will | 11:30am-12:30pm | Monday 16th August
Part 4: sluggishness and sleepiness | 11:30am-12:30pm | Monday 6th September
Part 5: restlessness and worry | 11:30am-12:30pm | Monday 13th September
Part 6: restlessness and worry continued | 11:30am-12:30pm | Monday 20th September
Part 7: sceptical doubt | 11:30am-12:30pm | Monday 27th September
 
Managing Your Mood
This two-part course will help students explore practices around managing our moods. Learning to improve the way we manage our emotions is often an important first step for many people with mental health difficulties. Topics covered will include: 

• the evolutionary context of moods & emotions 
• influencing mood changes 
• self-compassion 
• behavioural activation 
• gut & mood 

Part 1 | 11:30am-12:30pm | Tuesday 3rd August 
Part 2 | 11:30am-12:30pm | Tuesday 10th August 
 
Understanding Personality Disorder
Personality disorder is a phrase used to describe a group of common, long-lasting conditions that affect how people view and manage their emotions and how they relate to other people.

This three-part course explores what is meant by personality disorder in general and how it can affect other aspects of a person’s mental and physical health.

We will also discuss specific treatments and how people can help themselves to regain a measure of control in their lives.
 
Part 1 | 10:30am-12noon | Wednesday 4th August 
Part 2 | 10:30am-12noon | Wednesday 11th August 
Part 3 | 10:30am-12noon | Wednesday 18th August 
 
Understanding Psychosis
A three-part workshop about psychosis. These sessions will enable you to have a broader understanding of psychosis, including examples of lived experience and information on supporting someone else. In the first session we will explain what psychosis is, explore the different experiences of psychosis, and share information about psychotic episodes and examples of lived experiences. In the second session will explore schizophrenia more specifically, looking at the meaning of positive and negative symptoms and different types of recovery. In the final session will look at supporting someone who is experiencing psychosis and how we can help ourselves as a supporter. 
 
Part 1 | 11:30am-12:30pm | Wednesday 4th August 
Part 2 | 11:30am-12:30pm | Wednesday 11th August 
Part 3 | 11:30am-12:30pm | Wednesday 18th August 
 
Taking Control of My Psychosis Medication | 2:30pm-3:30pm | Wednesday 4th August 
In this session we will discuss what medication can be taken to relieve psychotic symptoms and explore how we can find out objective information. We will also look at:

• What the risks and benefits are to taking medication for psychosis which need to be considered and balanced carefully.
• What our rights are and how we discuss the challenges of taking medication with a health professional
• How we go about developing a personal action plan to take control of our medication

 
Maintaining Wellbeing: staying positive
The aim of this two-part course is to help you to reflect on the positive outlook and work out how you can bolster your own positivity. The impulse to dwell on the negatives is hard-wired into us, a hangover from humankind’s early days, when we had to be constantly on the alert. We know that the Covid-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on people’s mental health and acknowledge how hard it is for us to maintain our wellbeing during this time. But that doesn’t mean that being negative is an absolute. The situation we currently all find ourselves in is actually just the right time to begin focusing ourselves more towards the positive. 

Part 1 | 2pm-3:30pm | Thursday 5th August 
Part 2 | 2pm-3:30pm | Thursday 12th August 

Cultivating a positive outlook is possible for everyone, though it may take some work. You will be sent some work sheets before the course begins. Please do not worry, we will explain and guide you through completing these. 
 
Introduction to Coaching Skills
Coaching is a way of opening up spaces for personal reflection, helping people become aware of their strengths and resourcefulness, and supporting them to achieve their goals.  
 
Coaching is a series of conversations between a coach and another person aimed at bringing out the best in the person being coached. Whether we are mental health professionals, people who use services, or carers and supporters, we all know that the quality of the relationships and the conversations we have are very important. 
 
Coaching tools and techniques can support people’s recovery by helping them tackle the challenges and everyday stresses of life. 
 
Part 1 | 12noon-1pm | Monday 9th August 
Part 2 | 12noon-1pm | Wednesday 11th August 
Part 3 | 12noon-1pm | Monday 16th August 
Part 4 | 12noon-1pm ­­| Wednesday 18th August 
 
Introduction to Recovery
Many people find being diagnosed with mental health difficulties devastating. Too often people feel that their life is over and that they will never be able to fulfil their dreams and ambitions or lead a satisfying and valued life. But it does not have to be this way. Whatever age a person is, whether they have only recently been diagnosed, or whether they have had a diagnosis for some time, recovery is possible, no matter how serious the person’s difficulties. It is possible for people to rebuild a meaningful, valued and satisfying life. This two-part course explores the impact of mental health difficulties on people’s lives, what helps people to grow within and beyond what has happened, and how they can rebuild their lives. 
Part 1 | 2:30pm-3:30pm | Monday 9th August 
Part 2 | 2:30pm-3:30pm | Monday 16th August 
 
A Guide to Independent Mental Health Advocacy | 10:30am-11:30am | Tuesday 10th August 
An introductory workshop about Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) which will give you a basic overview of the advocate’s role. The right to an IMHA was introduced in 2007 under amendments to the 1983 Mental Health Act. This gave legal rights to IMHAs which are not available to other advocates. The session will help you to understand these rights.

Understanding Eating Disorders
Eating disorders have both biological and psychological causes and can affect any of us regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. But they are treatable. Recovery is possible but, because of stigma or misperceptions, some people may not get the help they need. It is important for people to understand what eating disorders are and what they are not.
In the first session, we will be looking at the classification of eating disorders, identifying anorexia, explaining myths and facts around the illness, and thinking about the different types of treatment and recovery. In the second session, we will recap the different eating disorders, identifying bulimia and binge eating disorder, and we will explain what it is like to live with an eating disorder and how to seek help.
 
Part 1 | 11am-12noon | Tuesday 10th August 
Part 2 | 11am-12noon | Tuesday 17th August ​

Bereavement: coming to terms with loss | 1:30pm-2:45pm | Tuesday 10th August 
This stand-alone webinar gently leads us through the four phases (or ‘layers’) of mourning as described by John Bowlby, the founder of attachment theory. We will be thinking about, and sharing, ways of supporting the grieving process. We realise that, taking part in this session, you may recently have been bereaved, or know someone who has and would like to help them. Your emotional wellbeing at this sad time is of absolute importance to us. With this in mind, we ask you to let someone who you trust know that you will be doing this webinar - this person will be your support contact. When you join us, please keep your mobile beside you in case you need to call or text your support contact. Ask them to check how you are when you start watching, and also when it ends. Perhaps your contact might be able to join with you online. We want you to know that you are warmly welcome, and that you are not alone in your grief.
 
Parks, Walks and Walking Meditation
This three-part course aims to encourage and inspire you to:

• Learn about the benefits of walking for wellbeing
• Learn about Peckham Rye Park and parks in your locality
• Discover activities you can do in your local park and London walks
• Discover how to practice walking meditation (complimentary walking meditation MP3 available to all workshop attendees)

 
Part 1 | 10:30am-1:30am | Thursday 12th August 
Part 2 | 10:30am-1:30am | Thursday 19th August 
Part 3 | 10:30am-1:30am | Thursday 26th August 
 
Motivation
How do you get out of your head and stop thinking about what you do and start doing it? 
 
This two-part course explores what holds us back from utilizing our motivation, what environment best harnesses our motivation, and looks at the reality of motivation in terms of its role in our daily lives.
 
This course provides tips that help launch us into action and explains the theory that helps us to close the gap between what you know you want to do and taking action to make it happen. 
 
Part 1 | 2pm-3:30pm | Thursday 12th August 
Part 2 | 2pm-3:30pm | Thursday 19th August 
 
Communication and Active Listening
This two-part course explores what active listening is, looks at the benefits of active listening (including exploring its power to transform our conversations), and teaches how we can practice and hone our skills as empathetic listeners. 
 
Part 1 | 10:30am-12noon | Friday 13th August 
Part 2 | 10:30am-12noon | Tuesday 17th August 
 
Ayurveda Self-Massage
N.B. You will need a towel and warm sesame oil or sunflower oil for these sessions. 
 
Ayurveda, the “wisdom of life”, is a traditional system of healing from South Asia. These sessions were co-developed by Ayurveda experts in Sri Lanka and the UK, Buddhist scholars and monks in the Theravada tradition, UK registered mental health professionals, and SLaM Recovery Trainers who have direct lived experience of mental health problems. 
 
In these sessions you will learn about the benefits of self-massage for your hand and feet, and you will learn how to do this using oil.
 
Self-Massage for Our Hands | 11:30am-12:30pm | Friday 13th August
Self-Massage for Our Feet | 11:30am-12:30pm | Friday 20th August
Self-Massage for Our Feet | 11:30am-12:30pm | Friday 27th August
 
Creativity and Wellbeing | 1:30pm-2:30pm | Tuesday 17th August 
Developed by the Education Department of Dulwich Picture Gallery in collaboration with SLaM Recovery College. 
 
Taking inspiration from the gallery’s Vase with Flowers by Jan Van Huysum, participants will work collaboratively with the gallery's artists to explore new techniques to develop their own creative artwork.
 
This stand-alone webinar has been developed to support participants’ creativity and wellbeing. Throughout the session you will be encouraged to explore new skills, to be mindful, and to learn how to connect with the five ways of wellbeing: connect, be active, learn, take notice, give. 
 
Understanding Depression
Depression is a common mental health condition which can take hold of your life and just won’t go away.  Understanding the signs, symptoms and causes of depression is the first step to overcoming the problem. 
 
This course runs over 4 sessions and will explore what depression is, its causes and how it is diagnosed.  We will discuss what can help overcome the hurdles to recovery such as negative thinking and what professional support is available. 
 
We will offer practical tools to help overcome depression as well as how we can support others.
 
Part 1 | 2pm-3:15pm | Tuesday 17th August 
Part 2 | 2pm-3:15pm | Tuesday 24th August 
Part 3 | 2pm-3:15pm | Tuesday 31st August 
Part 4 | 2pm-3:15pm | Tuesday 7th September
 
Mental Health Act: the basics
A two-part course about the Mental Health Act (1983, amended 2007) The workshop aims to support students to:

• Explore the purpose and principles of the Mental Health Act (1983)
• Understand how and why someone may be detained for assessment and treatment using the Mental Health Act (1983) and what this experience is like for service users and carers
• Gain a better understanding of the rights of people being ‘sectioned’ and the responsibilities of the health professionals, family members and advocates who might be involved in this process.
• Learn about the role of mental health tribunals and how sections are lifted/ended
• Understand steps that can be taken to plan for ill health and potentially prevent being admitted under the Mental Health Act.

 
Part 1 | 1pm-2pm | Wednesday 18th August 
Part 2 | 3pm-4pm | Wednesday 18th August 
 
Caring for the Carer | 3:30pm-4:30pm | Wednesday 18th August 
As a carer it is important that we look after our own wellbeing. In this workshop, we will discuss ways that ensure we function at our best, recognising that there can be benefits to caring, and that each carer brings unique skills, abilities, and experiences.
 
In this workshop, we will invite you to share activities and experience that may be helpful to others and also explore what resources we may need which are accessible. 
 
Introduction to Self-Compassion
This stand-alone course (running twice in, once in August, once in September) is designed as a taster and preparation for our six-part Moving Towards Self-Compassion course (which will be starting on 30th September). You will be introduced to some key ideas about self-compassion and why we might need to be more compassionate towards ourselves - especially in these challenging times. We will explore our human experience of having a 'self', the nature of compassion, how to practise self-compassion and the positive impact it can have on our mental health. The session will involve a discussion of key ideas, followed by an experiential practice of self-compassion. It will conclude with a reflection and an open Q&A. You will also be able to ask questions throughout the webinar, so please feel free to express your curiosity - it is very welcome! 
 
After the sessions, we will send you a link to an online form where you can register your interest in the full course.
 
Introduction to Self-Compassion A | 2:30pm-3:30pm | Monday 23rd August 
Introduction to Self-Compassion B | 2:30pm-3:30pm | Thursday 9th September
 
Optimising Your Sleep
Do you have difficulty getting to sleep at night? Do you wake up early in the morning? Do you spend most of the night tossing and turning? Or do you find yourself sleeping too many hours or sleeping too much during the day? In this two-part course we will: 

• Self-assess our own sleep​ 
• Recognise the impact of the pandemic on our sleep​ 
• Explore the benefits of sleep​ 
• Explore how much sleep we really need​ 
• Explore the pros and cons of daytime naps​ 
• Address excessive sleep 
• Recognise the impact of not getting enough sleep​ 
• Explore methods for improving our sleep

Part 1 | 2:30pm-3:30pm | Monday 23rd August
Part 2 | 2:30pm-3:30pm | Monday 6th September 
 
Introduction to Beth | 11am-12noon | Tuesday 24th August
SLaM’s Beth website, designed for us on laptops and PCs, tablets and smartphones, is a free and secure way for our patients and carers to stay connected with their care team. For service users, Beth is very friendly and easy to use, and supports personal choice and autonomy. You can link your Beth account with your NHS number to access your health records and:  

• see who is in your care team and support network 
• securely message your care team  
• access your current care plan 
• see all your appointments 
• keep track of your mood and sleep 
• use free and trusted online health resources 

 
For people caring for someone under SLaM services you can create your own account to look after your own wellbeing and securely message their care team.
 
Hearing Voices
During this three-part course, we will be exploring the experience of voices hearing and of supporting people who hear voices. We will consider how voices can be both a hindrance and an asset, and how to constructively respond to them.   
 
Enabling students to utilise self-management techniques, we will also help people find organisations and sources of support.
 
Part 1 | 11:30am-12:30pm | Wednesday 25th August
Part 2 | 11:30am-12:30pm | Wednesday 1st September
Part 3 | 11:30am-12:30pm | Wednesday 8th September
 
How to Register

FIRST TIME REGISTRATION, if you haven’t signed up to a webinar with us before:  
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SuTPoS5olUqOctA7m1iHqjpd3n-l3AxAj-8hQpHMfNlUQkZRWEJZODhLU0ZTVkQ0QkQzSzJMNUZGSS4u 

RETURNING STUDENTS REGISTRATION, if you have already signed up to a webinar with us before:  
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SuTPoS5olUqOctA7m1iHqjpd3n-l3AxAj-8hQpHMfNlURUgxM0s0VlJDN0Y4SEc0WlhCMVdaRlNCNS4u

Please feel free to share this offer of free-to-view webinars with anyone who you think might benefit. 
 
With very best wishes,
 
The team at South London and Maudsley Recovery College
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Although these courses are free, SLaM Recovery College operates with charity funding. If you feel these webinars help you, and you are able to, please consider making a donation to the brilliant Maudsley Charity which supports innovative wellbeing projects in our communities. There is, of course, no obligation to make a donation.
 
This is the link to make a donation if you’d like to:
https://maudsleycharity.org/support-us/make-a-donation/