7 Free Online Courses in April

This March was a really draining month, so the courses I’ve found focus on what I, and a lot of the people I know, need most: mental help. We’re facing a humanitarian crisis, and all of us, especially those educators who work with kids and teens might need all the help possible. So here are some short courses that might actually help you – and your students.

1. Teaching Students Who Have Suffered Complex Trauma by Queensland University of Technology

Start date: now
Duration:  2 weeks
For whom: teaching staff and education leaders who want to improve their professional practice
You will learn:

• what complex trauma is and how it affects children’s and adolescents’ development
• about the strategies for minimising the risk to students in classrooms and schools
• about the importance of applying trauma-informed practice and programs in schools

2. Young People and Mental Health by the University of Groningen

Start date: now
Duration: 5 weeks
For whom: young people aged over 14 who want to know more about mental health, as well as parents, caregivers, teachers, and medical professionals
You will learn:

• how to describe ways to deal with psychological problems
• how to identify symptoms of the following mental health problems: eating disorders, depression, anxiety, autism, ADHD, addiction, antisocial behaviour and psychosis
• how to boost own mental health

3. Self Care and Wellbeing: A Practical Guide for Health and Social Care by the University of Edinburgh

Start date: now
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: people interested in improving their overall wellbeing or seeking support with managing repeated or extreme stress
You will learn:

• how to reflect on the omnipresence and ubiquity of cumulative trauma and crisis events in healthcare
• how to practise different forms of self care as required to meet sensitively each stage of traumatic experiences
• how to apply the current and evolving principles of mindful and compassionate self care in practice

4. Maintaining a Mindful Life by Monash University

Start date: now
Duration: 4 weeks
For whom: people with previous experience of practising mindfulness
You will learn:

• how to experiment with a range of mindfulness techniques
• how to engage with informal and formal mindfulness practices
• how to model a more mindful approach to communication, relationships and emotional health

5. Understanding Anxiety, Depression and CBT by the University of Reading

Start date: now
Duration: 5 weeks
For whom: professionals who have a frontline role in detecting mental health difficulties and offering appropriate support and guidance to those affected
You will learn:

• how to describe the key signs and symptoms of depression and identify how a depressive disorder differs from simply feeling low or down
• how to identify the most common stereotypes surrounding anxiety and depression and evaluate them on the basis of current knowledge
• how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be delivered and identify the types of difficulties that it can help with

6. Psychological First Aid: Supporting Children and Young People by the UK Health Security Agency

Start date: now
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: essential workers and volunteers who come into contact with children and young people aged 0-25 years during emergency and crisis situations
You will learn:

• what psychological first aid is
• how to identify children, young people and families for whom it is suited and how you can help them
• how to look after yourself and your peers when working in the context of an emergency

7. Mindfulness: A Focus on Adolescents by the University of Glasgow

Start date: now
Duration: 4 weeks
For whom: all professionals interested in mindfulness, including healthcare professionals, educators and parents
You will learn:

• how the skills for applying a variety of mindfulness techniques and practice can be integrated into everyday life
• how to recognise the value of acceptance, empathy, and compassion in mindfulness practice
• how to apply mindfulness to support physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing

The dark times have come to us, but the brighter days will come, I’m sure.

Stay safe!