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Mental Health Awareness Modules

Psychosis

A practical three-hour course for organisations and groups that want people to better understand psychosis, challenge some of the fear and misconceptions surrounding it, and feel more confident responding when someone may be experiencing psychotic symptoms.

Enquire about this course
Duration 3 hours
Group size 8–20 people
Delivery Interactive group training
Location Across Scotland
Overview

About this course

Psychosis can affect the way a person perceives, interprets and makes sense of what is happening around them. Experiences can include hearing or seeing things that other people do not, holding beliefs that feel very real to the person but are not shared by others, or finding thoughts and communication more difficult to organise.

Psychosis is often surrounded by fear and misunderstanding. It is commonly confused with schizophrenia, associated automatically with violence or seen as something that makes a person permanently unable to live a fulfilling life. Those assumptions can add to stigma and make it harder for people experiencing psychosis to feel understood or seek appropriate support.

This three-hour module looks at psychosis in a practical mental health context. Participants explore common experiences and possible early signs, challenge some of the misconceptions surrounding psychosis, consider how to communicate calmly and respectfully, and think about safety, personal boundaries, professional help and recovery.

Is this course right for your group?

Designed for

Workplaces, professional teams, educators, healthcare professionals, community organisations and other groups that want people to feel better informed and less uncertain when psychosis becomes part of a mental health conversation.

Particularly useful if

  • People feel unsure or anxious about what psychosis actually means.
  • Psychosis is being confused with schizophrenia or automatically associated with dangerous or unpredictable behaviour.
  • Your group would benefit from recognising that psychotic experiences can vary considerably from one person to another.
  • People want more confidence approaching and communicating with someone who may be experiencing psychotic symptoms.
  • You want people to understand their own role, keep safety in mind and recognise when professional or urgent support may be needed.
For your organisation

What this can help your organisation achieve

Less fear and misunderstanding

Build a clearer understanding of psychosis and challenge some of the stereotypes that can lead to unnecessary fear, judgement or avoidance.

More confident first responses

Help people feel less uncertain about how to approach a conversation, communicate calmly and respond without escalating distress or trying to argue someone out of what they are experiencing.

Clearer routes to appropriate support

Strengthen understanding of personal boundaries, safety and when someone may need professional, specialist or urgent help.

Outcomes

What you’ll learn

Understand psychosis more clearly

Explore what psychosis can involve, including experiences such as hallucinations, unusual or strongly held beliefs and changes in thinking or communication.

Recognise possible signs and changes

Consider some of the early or developing changes that may suggest someone is experiencing psychosis, while recognising that experiences can vary greatly between individuals.

Challenge common misconceptions

Examine assumptions that psychosis is the same as schizophrenia, automatically means someone is dangerous, or prevents people from recovering and living fulfilling lives.

Communicate calmly and respectfully

Develop a more thoughtful approach to speaking with someone who may be experiencing psychotic symptoms, including listening, avoiding unnecessary confrontation and focusing on the person’s immediate needs.

Think about safety and further support

Consider personal safety, supportive boundaries and when professional, specialist or urgent help may be appropriate.

Course content

What we’ll cover

Understanding psychosis

We look at what psychosis can mean, some of the experiences associated with it and how it can differ from other mental health difficulties.

Experiences, signs and contributing factors

Participants explore experiences such as hallucinations, unusual or strongly held beliefs and changes in thinking or communication, alongside some of the different factors and mental health conditions that can be associated with psychosis.

Recognising early changes

We consider some of the changes that may appear before or during an episode of psychosis and why noticing concerns and encouraging appropriate support can matter.

Communication and supportive responses

The module explores ways to approach a conversation calmly, listen without judgement and avoid responses that may increase fear, confusion or distress.

Safety and urgent support

We consider what a helpful first response can look like when someone is very distressed, with attention to personal boundaries, immediate safety and when urgent or specialist help is needed.

Treatment, support and recovery

We look at the role of professional treatment and wider support, challenge the idea that psychosis is untreatable and consider how people around someone can support recovery without taking responsibility for it themselves.

Course format

What to expect

Three-hour session

A focused three-hour module with time to explore the subject without requiring a full-day course.

Small groups

Groups are usually kept to 8–16 people, allowing time for discussion, questions and participation.

Interactive learning

The session uses a mixture of presentation, group discussion, case studies, videos and practical activities rather than relying on slides alone.

Respectful discussion

Clear expectations around confidentiality and respect help participants ask questions and explore a subject that can sometimes be surrounded by fear, stigma or uncertainty.

Green Ribbons

Why Green Ribbons?

Green Ribbons was founded by Jean Pryde after 30 years working in mental health settings. That experience sits behind a practical, plain-speaking approach to training that takes difficult subjects seriously without making them harder to talk about than they need to be.

Based in Moray and working across Scotland, Green Ribbons has delivered training for organisations including Diageo, Macallan and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, alongside professional bodies and community groups.

Booking

What happens next

1

Tell us what you're looking for

Tell us a little about your organisation or group, who the training is for and what you would like it to help with.

2

We'll talk it through

We'll discuss whether this module is the right fit, answer your questions and talk through the practical arrangements.

3

Arrange the training

If you'd like to go ahead, we'll agree the date, location and arrangements with you.

Enquire

Interested in this training?

Tell us a little about your group and what you’re looking for. We can talk through whether this course is the right fit and the practical arrangements.

You’re enquiring about Psychosis

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