Threshold Training
There are 3 main projects within the training department:
- Threshold Training in Women and Mental Health - an accredited
training course for unqualified workers.
- A rolling programme of training days for anyone working therapeutically with Women
- Customised training for organisations on aspects of women and mental health.
Threshold Training in Women and Mental Health:
This is a course developed by Threshold, drawing on our experience of working with women
with mental health difficulties over a number of years. It is aimed at local, unqualified
mental health workers and volunteers, as well as our own drop-in service volunteers. It is
accredited by the Open College Network at level 3 and runs for one day a week for eight weeks.
The course aims to give students a broad understanding of the main mental health
difficulties common to women, to give them the skills and knowledge to work in a mental
health setting and to develop a critical and reflective approach to their work.
Students are involved in participatory learning throughout, undertake a research project
on a particular mental health difficulty and take part in reflective practice groups.
There are visiting speakers to the course from local workers and service users.

The course covers:
- Models of mental health - a critical exploration of the medical
model - its uses and limitations and its classification system.
- Causes of mental health difficulties - an understanding of the multi-factorial basis
of mental health difficulties (including a psychological, social and biological perspective)
- An awareness of the mental health system: treatments available; referral routes; the
working of an interdisciplinary team.
- In depth exploration of particular mental health difficulties commonly experienced by
women. These will include eating disorders, anxiety and depression, self-harm, psychosis.
Other issues can be negotiated with the student group.
- Good practice in relation to working with the above client group, including risk-assessment.
- Developing insight into the experience of having a mental health difficulty. Service
user perspectives will be included throughout the course and we will have input from users
as part the training.
- Equal opportunities and non-discriminatory practice. The experience of women and
minority groups will be explored and related to a current work setting.
- Reflections on good practice in relation to all the above. Students will be expected
to reflect on their own work practice throughout the course, as well as write up a peer
evaluation group exercise on practice issues.
Rolling Programme of Training Days:
Add attachment training leaflet
Customised Training:
Information goes here.