Supporting Mental Health in Adventurous Settings (VTQ)

1. Understand the difference between mental health and mental ill health.

• 1.1 Describe how mental health affects human behaviour
• 1.2 Understand mental health and how it relates to mental ill health

2. Describe the components of mental well-being and how it relates to resilience.

• 2.1 Be able to provide examples of well-being         
• 2.2 Understanding resilience and the capacity to stay mentally well during difficult situations
• 2.3 Understand how to positively support individual well-being     

3. Understand how risk factors associated with mental ill health can lead to problems.

• 3.1 Be aware of risk factors that are caused from mental health

4. Be able to recognise how mental health problems can affect day-to-day living

• 4.1  Recognise how mental health can lead to other known character traits
• 4.2  Understand how mental health problems can affect normality from one day to another

5. Understand how social and cultural attitudes can lead to mental illness

• 5.1  Recognise how stigma and discrimination can lead to overwhelming influences on individuals, communities and societies
• 5.2  Understand how stereotyping can lead to prejudice, discrimination and inequality

6. Understanding causes of stress and knowing how stress can stem from influences resulting

• 6.1 Understand what stress is and how it is commonly defined       
• 6.2 Be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of useful stress and harmful stress        
• 6.3 Be able to manage stress on expedition and self-management

7. Be able to understand the difference between an Anxiety and a Panic attack

• 7.1 Describe what an anxiety is and how it becomes a mental health problem      
• 7.2 Define what a panic attack is       
• 7.3 Recognise the physical and psychological signs and symptoms of anxiety
• 7.4 Be able to understand what depression is, how it is defined and what the common symptoms are
• 7.5 Be familiar with how to manage depression from a personal aspect

8. Understand why mental health is not discussed

• 8.1 Be able to understand why Participants do not discuss mental health

9. Be aware of other types diagnosable mental health conditions Phobia, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Eating problems, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Personality disorder, Psychosis, Self-harm,Post-Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Alzheimer's disease/ Dementia, Home sicknes

10. Be able to understand The expedition specific mental health concerns

• 10.1 Pre-departure and preparation
• 10.2 Be able to explain stress areas and reasons on expeditions
• 10.3 Understand comfort zones in relation to mental health and expeditions
• 10.4 Understand your role as an Leader – duty of care and obligations
• 10.5 Be able to communicate with a person in crisis

11. Be able to understand how an Participants emotional intelligence enables them to manage their emotions with other people, both individually and in groups.

• 11.1 Understand the 5 components of emotional intelligence
• 11.2 Be able to recognise a change in an participant on an adventurous activity
• 11.3 Understand Fixed and growth mindsets

12. Be able to recognise other types of legislation that applies to Mental Health UK

• 12.1 Describe how difficult it is to discloses mental health  
• 12.2 Explain how to start a conversation with a participant who has a suspected mental health condition
• 12.3 Know what advice to provide during a discussion with a colleague, friend or family relative
• 12.4 Be able to provide support to an participant

13. Be able to implement an action plan to promote a healthy workplace

• 13.1 Understand correct reporting procedures for your workplace and who to report to with suspected mental ill health
• 13.2 Know how to promote a healthy workplace
• 13.3 Be familiar with five key steps that help boots individual mental wellbeing
• 13.4 Be able to help a person form a safety plan
• 13.5 Be able to help a person build a personal Toolbox

14. Have an awareness of the mental health drugs that Participants may bring on expedition

15. Know about and be able to advise participants on post expedition depression

16. Understand the value of an other adventurous activity on mental health