Public Health, Somerset Council are providing free online training to support front-facing professionals, as part of the Somerset Strategic Drug and Alcohol Partnership. The aim is to support residents in Somerset further around substance use and to increase referrals to specialist drug and alcohol services where appropriate. The training will be provided by Carl Morrison, Health Improvement manager (Substance Use).
The training is an opportunity to learn about the impact of substance use in Somerset and to broaden your knowledge to support clients and provide information about what is available locally. Somerset Mental Health Network and Public Health are teaming up with the wider VCFSE sector to facilitate some awareness raising and training sessions later in the summer.
The course will cover:
- Commonly used substances in Somerset, including attitudes to Alcohol & Cannabis
- Recognising signs and symptoms, “Triggers”
- Dual Diagnosis
- Use of language, “Speaking without Stigma”
- Signposting, Referrals and the referral process
Particular emphasis will be put on, “Dual diagnosis” which refers to the co-occurring issues of poor mental health and substance use. For example, an individual with depression is more likely to suffer from problematic alcohol and/or other drug use to self-medicate symptoms of irritability, insomnia and feelings of helplessness. Substance use can also precede and increase the risk of developing mental health disorders. This course will look at the symptoms and treatment pathways.
Note: As this is an online course, we would appreciate it if you can keep your cameras on during the session to aid group participation.
