Course outcomes
‘Mental health in the outdoors’ combines an accredited, half-day mental health awareness course (MHFA England Aware), with outdoor and adventurous experiences – in the greatest classroom in the world!
By utilising the great outdoors in this way, delegates will benefit from a change in perspective which in turn, will increase curiosity and open-mindedness.
Carefully selected activities will allow delegates to experience and feel the very emotions being discussed as part of the course.
Recognising the normal and very healthy symptoms of anxiety, for example, can help to normalise conversations around mental health and reduce stigma.
Thinking differently.
Mental health training should not be confined to the classroom only. An environment which for many, can increase feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem.
Why can’t we have healthy conversations about mental health, in the great outdoors – on a mountainside, on a lake or even on two wheels?
I believe we can.
‘Mental Health in the Outdoors’ is the first course of its kind, to be delivered in an outdoor environment utilising experiential learning opportunities and deeper personal reflection. Matt has worked closely with The Raymond Priestley Centre and the University of Birmingham Sport and Exercise faculty, in designing this course to ensure it meets the robust, evidence-based needs of higher education and beyond.
What’s involved?
‘Mental Health in the Outdoors’ combines a variety of learning activities, including but not limited to:
– Discussions
– Case studies
– Quiz-style questions
– Theoretical models
– Listening activities
– Q&A
– Practical demos
– Kinesthetic exercises
– Journaling
– Mindfulness activities
– All whilst active and outdoors
An important aspect of the course is the journey, as this creates time to remain active and warm; together with moments to pause, reflect and discuss key topics.
However, the journey can take place on foot, by paddle or on wheels; to suit the group’s ability and weather conditions.
“I really enjoyed this course, in particular how it combined practical activities and theory to learn the content. This course was very useful in helping me to understand mental health from another perspective and is definitely something I would recommend to others to complete.”
Birmingham University course delegate, September 2022.
About Matt
Matt is a certified personal & business coach with the ICF, with a background in mental health training within the L&D sector as a licensed provider of MHFA England courses. Matt also volunteers as a crisis counsellor for Shout UK, a service for anybody experiencing poor mental health and wellbeing.
Matt had a previous career as a Mountain Leader in the outdoor and adventure industry, during which time he became qualified in a wide variety of adventurous activities. Matt remains active in this industry today, as an adventure guide with the Water Skills Academy and British Canoeing qualified coach. It is this combination of qualifications and real-life experiences, which allows Matt to lead traditional mental health training courses in a very different environment.
Would you like to know more about Mental Health in the Outdoors, or make a booking enquiry? Contact us below and we’ll be in touch ASAP.