Training, Education and Awareness
The Cairn draws on the personal experiences of Suzy, Michel and Jean to design and deliver mental health awareness workshops aimed at a wide variety of audiences, including individuals with mental health problems, health and social care practitioners, student bodies and college faculty members.
Among the topics that can be raised and explored during the workshops are:
• Spotting and responding early to the symptoms of mental illness
• A carer’s perspective of what it takes to provide the right support
• A personal perspective mental healthcare, including what it is like to receive treatment in a psychiatric ward
• Self-harming – the personal perspective of the causes and resolutions
• The social consequences of mental illness – including how to manage personal relationships and friendships
• The challenges of confronting and dealing with social stigma
• Creating the right pathway to recovery
The workshops can be tailored to the needs of different audiences and are supported by readings from the books published by the Cairn
The Naked Bird Watcher To Walk on Eggshells, recordings of Suzy interviewed on radio, research undertaken by the Cairn on the needs of carers, interactive discussions and facilitated exercises.
Michel Syrett, training partner at the Cairn, is an experienced trainer and workshop facilitator who has worked for Cranfield School of Management, The University of Hong Kong and The Roffey Park Institute. He would be happy to discuss your needs on michelsyrett@thecairn.com
References and recommendations
‘At SRN we’ve worked extensively with The Cairn team. Collectively and individually they offer an informed and distinct perspective on all things mental health related. They bring insight and creativity to their work, communicating with clarity and passion.’
Simon Bradstreet, Network Director, Scottish Recovery Network
Thank you from all in our group and particularly myself for your contribution on Tuesday. I feel a sense of achievement having been so moved by Suzy and know that you both have given many food for thought.
Cindy Anderson, 4th year Psychology, Stirling University.
Jean Johnston and Suzy Johnston have given me a valuable insight into mental health from differing perspectives. The mother and daughter speak from experience and are held in high regard as both are well respected voices in mental health.
John McFall MP, Westminster, London
Suzy Johnston is an articulate proponent of patient/service user primacy within the mental health system. She has the rare ability to marry personal narrative with political analysis and an astute understanding of the workings of the mental health system to present a powerful argument that keeps at its heart the individuals whose lives and hopes the subject intimately concerns.
Catherine Jackson, Editor, Mental Health Today Magazine.
Nobody could describe or write about mental illness any better – she is spot on when it comes to telling what it is like. But people must listen to her – she is so wise about what is needed – and how it should be.
Tricia Bignall, Service user, Argyll and Bute.
The best way to learn about recovery from mental illness is through the wisdom of those who are living the experience. She reminds us how integral support is – support from family, friends and communities as well as mental health services. Her writing is an invaluable learning resource for all who are working towards Recovery.
Christine Gayler MSW, CAGS, CCRC, CPRP, Consultant and Field Associate, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, USA.
Thank you again for the Naval Personnel and Family Workshop. Your presentation was honest and humourous and was well received by the team.
It has also prompted all of us to read your books and continue to develop our knowledge of mental health and well being. We were particularly impressed by Suzy’s coping strategies for managing her health and crisis periods and Jean’s fighting spirit in supporting Suzy to campaign for improved services for all mental health sufferers and their support services. A very rewarding and stimulating workshop.
Brenda Cormack /
Clyde Neptune, NPFS Team Manager
‘Having direct experience of how people with mental health problems are treated, Suzy Johnston is able to offer valuable insight as to the ‘system’ and how it could be improved. A passionate and committed advocate for those with mental illness and being clever and articulate, hers is a voice which is difficult to ignore. Having benefited from her knowledge, I have no hesitation in recommending Suzy as an Adviser on mental health issues.’
Jackie Baillie MSP (Member of Scottish Parliament)
Working with Suzy on the One in Four Booklet was a very positive experience as she has such a passion for raising awareness and challenging the stigma which surrounds mental health issues. She recognises the importance of targeting young people – an audience that is hard to reach using conventional methods. One of the things that shone through in Suzy’s initial drafting of the booklet, was that by drawing on her personal experiences and research, she had a unique understanding of the important issues which are relevant to young people, but more importantly she wrote in a voice and tone that ‘spoke to’ the young and did not ‘preach at’ them. Thirteen thousand of the One in Four Booklets were handed out within 10 days in the May Music Festival in Glasgow to an overwhelmingly positive response – the message was clear; One in Four is about breaking down the barriers and getting people talking about mental health – this exactly what Suzy Johnston does; she’s a breath of fresh air.
Noreen Devine, Events & Arts Officer, Scottish Association for Mental Health.
I have known Suzy and Jean Johnston for the past 4 years having first met them at an event at Faslane Navel Base at a mental health awareness event. Since then I have experienced Suzy and Jean as passionate advocates for Breathing Space and many of the other foundational Mental Health services throughout Scotland . The have both been very supportive of the work and care that the service provides and act in an informal way freely giving of their time, ideas and feedback. Their first hand experience of living and working with mental health sets them apart to be a truly distinctive voice in mental health advocacy, training and awareness. ʽTeam Cairnʼ will not disappoint and with the addition of Michel and Ollie then the foundation stones are truly set for a multidisciplinary approach to mental health training and awareness with most importantly a backbone of peer supervision which this team will view as necessary and sufficient.
Tony McLaren
National Coordinator
Breathing Space and NHS Living Life
Further written references are available on request.
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