Glasgow – March 7, 2023 – A leading Mental Health education provider in Scotland has successfully trained and certified staff and trustees in Mental Health First Aid as part of a nationwide initiative.

Starra Education successfully trained and qualified staff and trustees from Music in Hospitals & Care — a charity that improves the health and wellbeing of children and adults through the healing power of live music.

As a result of this UK-wide training initiative, the charity now boasts a team of accredited Mental Health First Aiders — equipping it with the ability to respond to mental health emergencies quickly and with the utmost sensitivity.

Delivered completely online, the training programme took place in a virtual classroom. Composed of various training modules, reflection exercises and support mechanisms, Starra Education’s initiative has educated delegates in how to support people experiencing mental health difficulties.

At the heart of the programme was Joanne Docherty, a fully accredited mental health trainer and advocate from Glasgow. She said:

“What an honour it was for me to start the year qualifying staff and trustees from Music in Hospitals and Care, from all over the UK, as accredited Mental Health First Aiders.

“As part of the qualification, I conducted one-to-one assessments and what was clear from speaking to everyone individually was how supported and looked after they feel in their roles.

“I have been thoroughly impressed with the positive mental health culture throughout the organisation, and the genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development is commendable.”

The completion of this comprehensive Mental Health First Aid training programme is just the latest achievement in Joanne’s successful and rewarding career.

Using her lived experiences as a child who experienced significant trauma, Joanne was inspired to train as a mental health educator. After earning an honours degree in Education, she worked as a teacher in Glasgow and various international schools abroad.

It was during her time as a teacher that Joanne was inspired by her growing interest in the social, personal and emotional development of children. She decided to complete an MSc in Child Psychology — the springboard needed for a career in mental health training.

With a string of successful training initiatives and professional memberships already under her belt, Joanne’s credentials as an effective trainer in the field of mental health and wellbeing are clear. Additionally, she teaches across a range of Psychology courses at The University of Glasgow.

Starra Education students are — upon successful completion of their training — guaranteed a UK-accredited qualification in mental health. And that’s what initially attracted the attention of Music in Hospitals & Care.

Claire Owen, Head of Music Delivery from the charity said: “Our team works in Arts & Health, a sector which has been under immense pressure and will continue to face challenges in the coming years. Joanne created a safe space to share, and her training was open, warm, and thorough.

“She ensured we felt comfortable in our class group as well as individually in our assessments. This helped us to feel confident, that in challenging times, we can continue to meet the demands of our roles, creating meaningful music services whilst looking after ourselves and the people we work with.

“We are proud to have trained staff across the charity who can offer initial support to people experiencing a mental health problem until professional help is received or until the crisis is resolved.”

Starra Education continues to go from strength to strength in the area of Mental Health First Aid and well-being education. Client by client, Joanne Docherty is helping organisations in both the private and non-profit sectors develop a positive mental health culture in the workplace.

About Starra Education

Starra Education is an accredited mental health training organisation that delivers training and qualifications in the areas of Mental Health, Youth and Family Mental Health and Mental Health within the workplace. Led by founder Joanne Docherty, she tailors a combination of live group lessons, one-to-one sessions, videos and electronic resources to deliver a range of mental health training programmes.

Contact Starra Education

For press-related enquiries and interview requests, please contact Joanne Docherty at joanne@starra.co.uk. Alternatively, complete the contact form on the Starra Education website, which can be found at https://www.starra.co.uk/contact.

Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/starraeducation

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starraeducation

More information on Music in Hospitals & Care can be found at https://mihc.org.uk

Media Contact
Company Name: Starra Education
Contact Person: Joanne Docherty
Email: Send Email
Country: United Kingdom
Website: www.starra.co.uk