The BMC and Mountain Training are running a series of evening workshops in the Autumn around the broad theme of Mental Health. The sessions will be 45 minutes to an hour long and are free for BMC, MTA and AMI members.
The following four workshops will be available:
1. Mental Health and the Outdoors
2. Mind your Mind
3. Black Dog Outdoors (BDO) and Climbing Alongside Mental Health (CAMH) case studies
4. Psychology of Injuries
These webinars have been recognised as 0.25 of a CPD point for members of MTA.
Each workshop will be delivered twice. You can sign up for them below and you will recieve an email 1 week before the session with a link for the workshop.
The dates for the workshops are:
October 13th: Mental Health and the Outdoors REGISTER HERE
Mind your Mind REGISTER HERE
October 21st: BDO & CAMH case studies REGISTER HERE
Psychology of Injuries REGISTER HERE
October 27th: Mental Health and the Outdoors REGISTER HERE
Mind your Mind REGISTER HERE
November 3rd: BDO & CAMH case studies REGISTER HERE
Psychology of Injuries REGISTER HERE
Information on each workshop:
1. Mental Health and The Outdoors Really Does Matter: So what can we do about it. (Dr Kaye Richards CPsychol)
This webinar will introduce the why, what and how for mental health in the outdoors and our role across the sector in addressing a mental health agenda. It will provide a snap shot of the issues of mental health perspectives translated into outdoor settings, along with approaches in action. This will enable a consideration of implications for everyday practices, alongside highlighting the complexities for responding to mental health matters outdoors.
2. Mind your Mind – an introduction to the practice of mindfulness (Sheila Ryan)
Mindfulness training is about flourishing; it helps us to be fully present and alive in the ‘now’ and to pay attention in a non-judgmental way. Rather than worrying about what has happened or might happen, mindfulness trains us to respond skillfully to whatever is happening right now. This helps break the grip of unhelpful mental habits and impulses, making way for calmer, kinder and more rational thinking.
In this workshop, you will discover the origins and neuroscience of mindfulness and its relevance for modern life; explore a range of mindful approaches and practices such as mindful breathing, movement and body scanning; get guidance on nurturing a personal mindfulness practice as well as signposted to relevant resources. Throughout the workshop opportunities for reflection as well as Q&A will be provided. Mindfulness is taught in a secular way and is easily accessible. However, mindfulness is not a panacea for all mental health conditions and for some it is not appropriate. Please consider your personal welfare before embarking on a mindfulness course.
3. Black Dog Outdoors and Climbing Alongside Mental Health case studies (Andrew Higson, Louise Hall)
"Black Dog Outdoor and Climb Alongside Mental Health will talk you through what they do, why they do it, and how you can get involved. Then, this interactive workshop will involve personal and group reflection and discussions on how participating in climbing and outdoor pursuits can be a powerful tool to help with coping with mental health problems and improving wellbeing. Topics covered will also include; the evidence base for climbing and outdoor activities for improved mental health; practical tips on working with clients who may have mental health problems; the importance of a process (rather than outcome) oriented mindset."
4. Psychology of Injuries (Dr Rebecca Williams)
Do you want to know more about how you can use psychological techniques to actually prevent injuries? Do you struggle to know what to say or how to support your injured coaching clients? How do you know when someone needs professional help after a climbing accident?
Dr Rebecca Williams will present a practical workshop, covering how stress increases the risk of injury, what injured climbers need from their coaches and team mates, and how to help your clients come back mentally stronger from injury. You’ll also learn how to recognise when someone may be suffering from more than just ‘normal’ nerves after a climbing accident.
Bios for people delivering workshops:
Dr Kaye Richards (CPsychol)
Kaye is a Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society, qualified outdoor professional, and Senior Lecturer in Outdoor Education at Liverpool John Moores University. She currently trains outdoor professionals, undertakes and supervisors research, and is currently leading a new MA in Counselling & Outdoor Therapy. She has diverse experience of working in the outdoor industry, is a member of BMC’s Equity Steering Group, and has undertook research for Sport England as part of the developments underpinning the national campaign ‘This Girl Can’. She has been developing integrated adventure and outdoor therapy for over 20 years, and has worked at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy facilitating national research activity in psychological therapies. She is currently the convenor of the academic Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning, and has published across these associated interdisciplinary areas.
Sheila Ryan (MiSP)
Having worked in the voluntary, business, health and education arenas I am acutely aware of the importance of looking after mental health. Building on my certification as a Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) Paws b teacher and 25 years of personal mediation, I deliver mindfulness programmes in the primary school setting and create and deliver bespoke Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) programmes as part of company wellbeing initiatives. To ensure that my skills remain up to date, I further my professional and personal development by participating in peer and mentor supervision and mindfulness sitting groups, attending relevant training courses, masterclasses and retreats, and keeping abreast of subject-specific material.
Dr Rebecca Williams (BSc DClinPsy CPsychol MCMI)
Rebecca worked as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and within the NHS for 19 years, before moving to private practice in 2019, and has been working as a Psychological Performance Coach for the last 15 years. She works with climbers of all ages from grassroots to elite level, and specialises in the management of anxiety for climbers and the development of healthy coping skills.
Rebecca has run workshops on the psychology of climbing and mountaineering for many different audiences, from the MTA’s Performance Coach ‘Coaching the Mind’ module, the Diploma in Mountain Medicine, NICAS, Youth Climbing Symposium, to various climbing clubs, as well as presenting the psychology keynote speech at the International Rock Climbing Research Association congress in Chamonix in 2018.
http://www.smartclimbing.co.uk
Louise Hall
Louise is the director of Climb Alongside Mental Heath (C/A/M), a non-profit organisation raising awareness of the benefits of climbing for improved mental health. Louise has been climbing for about 10 years, has worked as an indoor instructor at various walls, been on university climbing club committees, and is passionate about helping others experience the same benefits she receives from climbing. Having completed a PhD in health psychology, she now works as a behavioural scientist at the University of Leeds, researching ways to improve people's health through engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviours.
Andrew Higson
Andrew Higson is the director of the charity ‘Blackdog Outdoors’, which has been established to promote improved mental health through outdoor activities. Blackdog Outdoors facilitate free events such as hill-walking, paddle sports, and climbing for those affected by poor mental health. The events are volunteer-led by qualified outdoor professionals and supported by mental health first aiders.
Andrew is a member of the BMC and sits on the BMC Equity Steering Group. He is also a qualified Summer Mountain Leader, Mental Health First Aider, and NNAS Tutor for Bronze and Silver Awards.
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