Friday, 27 March 2026

🧠 EASY READ TRAINING WORKBOOK Supporting Mental Health

 

📘 Module 1: Understanding Mental Health

🟢 What is mental health?

Mental health is about how we:

  • Think
  • Feel
  • Behave
  • React
  • Interact with others

🟡 Mental health and mental illness are different

  • Mental health = how we feel most of the time (can be positive or negative)
  • Mental illness = when someone struggles with their thoughts, feelings, or behaviour for a long time

⚖️ Key idea

  • Everyone has mental health
  • Everyone feels “low” sometimes
  • This is normal

👉 Mental illness is when these feelings become strong, long-lasting, or hard to manage


🧠 Important message

Mental health is just as important as physical health.

People need:

  • Support
  • Understanding
  • Respect

❗ Activity 1

Circle the correct answer:

  1. Mental health is:
    • a) Only being happy
    • b) How we think and feel
    • c) Only about illness
  2. Mental illness means:
    • a) Feeling happy sometimes
    • b) Strong or long-lasting struggles
    • c) Never having feelings

📘 Module 2: Understanding Causes and Feelings

🟠 What can affect mental health?

People can feel low or stressed because of:

  • Relationship problems
  • Job loss
  • Stress or pressure
  • Abuse
  • Health problems

🟣 Important understanding

  • People are not “crazy”
  • They are in emotional pain
  • They may feel:
    • Stressed
    • Overwhelmed
    • Distressed

⚠️ Key message

👉 Always take people seriously
👉 Even if feelings seem small or short


❤️ Your responsibility

If you are worried:

  • Talk to a manager
  • Follow safeguarding procedures
  • Report concerns

❗ Activity 2

Write one example of a situation that could affect mental health:

👉 _______________________________


📘 Module 3: Talking About Mental Health

🟢 Why talking is important

Talking can:

  • Help people feel less alone
  • Reduce risk
  • Encourage support

🟡 Common misunderstanding

Some people think:

“If someone talks about suicide, they won’t do it.”

⚠️ This is NOT true.

👉 Talking about suicidal thoughts is always serious


🟣 Key actions

  • Listen without judging
  • Be calm
  • Be supportive
  • Offer help

❤️ Important message

  • Do NOT judge
  • Do NOT blame
  • Do NOT shame

❗ Activity 3

Tick the correct answers:

What should you do?

☐ Judge the person
☐ Listen carefully
☐ Ignore the person
☐ Take them seriously


📘 Module 4: Supporting Someone

🟢 What can you do?

  • Listen
  • Be patient
  • Be kind
  • Encourage help

🟡 What NOT to do

  • Do not force them
  • Do not pressure them
  • Do not judge

🧠 Remember

People may:

  • Open up slowly
  • Not talk at all
  • Need time

👉 That is okay


❤️ Your role

You are there to:

  • Support
  • Not fix everything

❗ Activity 4

Write one way you can support someone:

👉 _______________________________


📘 Module 5: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

🧠 What is CBT?

CBT means helping people:

  • Change negative thoughts
  • Feel more positive
  • Behave in a healthier way

🔄 Example

Negative thought:

👉 “I am going to fail.”

Positive thought:

👉 “I can try my best.”


⚖️ Important

CBT:

  • Does not work for everyone
  • Takes time
  • Needs practice

❤️ Your role

  • Support small changes
  • Encourage positive thinking
  • Be patient

❗ Activity 5

Change this thought:

“I can’t do this.”

👉 ___________________________________


📘 Module 6: Understanding Mental Illness

🟢 Mental illness can:

  • Come and go
  • Stay for a long time
  • Change over time

🟡 Examples

Mental illness can affect:

  • Sleep
  • Eating
  • Focus
  • Energy

🧠 Important understanding

Everyone is different.

Some people:

  • Feel worse for longer
  • Recover quickly
  • Have ups and downs

❤️ Key message

👉 There is no “right” way to feel
👉 Every experience is valid


📘 Module 7: Safety and Safeguarding

⚠️ Safety is important

Always think about:

  • Your safety
  • The other person’s safety

🟢 If you are worried:

You should:

  1. Stay calm
  2. Listen
  3. Report concerns
  4. Speak to your manager

🟡 If there is risk:

  • Do not ignore it
  • Do not keep it secret
  • Follow safeguarding rules

❗ Activity 6

What should you do if you are worried about someone’s safety?

👉 _______________________________


📘 Module 8: Key Learning Points

✔ Mental health is important
✔ Everyone has mental health
✔ Mental illness is serious
✔ People need support, not judgement
✔ Early help is important
✔ Safety always comes first


🧠 Reflection Section

Write or think about:

  1. What did I learn today?
    👉 ___________________________
  2. How can I support others?
    👉 ___________________________
  3. What will I do differently?
    👉 ___________________________

📎 End of Workbook

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