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Mental Health Awareness Modules

Depression

A practical three-hour course for organisations and groups that want people to better understand depression, recognise when someone may be struggling and feel more confident starting supportive conversations and helping them find appropriate support.

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

About this course

Depression is more than feeling sad or having a difficult few days. It can affect mood, motivation, concentration, sleep, energy, appetite, relationships and the ability to manage everyday life. It can also look very different from one person to another, and someone who appears to be functioning well may still be experiencing significant difficulties.

Misconceptions can make things harder. Ideas that depression is a sign of weakness, that someone should simply “snap out of it”, or that there must always be an obvious cause can add to stigma and make it more difficult for people to talk about what they are experiencing or ask for support.

This three-hour module looks at depression in a practical mental health context. Participants explore common signs and contributing factors, challenge some of the assumptions surrounding depression, consider how to approach someone they are concerned about and think about appropriate first-line support, personal boundaries and routes to professional help.

Is this course right for your group?

Designed for

Workplaces, professional teams, healthcare professionals, community organisations and other groups that want people to feel better informed and more confident when depression becomes part of a mental health conversation.

Particularly useful if

  • People are unsure about the difference between feeling low and experiencing depression.
  • Your group would benefit from recognising that depression can affect thoughts, emotions, behaviour and physical wellbeing in different ways.
  • Assumptions about weakness, willpower or simply “snapping out of it” may be shaping attitudes towards depression.
  • People are concerned about someone but feel unsure how to start a supportive conversation.
  • You want people to feel clearer about their role, their boundaries and when professional or urgent support may be needed.
For your organisation

What this can help your organisation achieve

Earlier recognition and conversation

Build awareness of some of the signs that depression may be affecting someone’s day-to-day life, helping people feel more able to notice changes and start a conversation.

Less stigma and misunderstanding

Challenge some of the assumptions that can minimise depression or place blame on the person experiencing it, supporting a more informed and thoughtful response.

Clearer support pathways

Help people understand what useful first-line support can look like, where their own role begins and ends, and when someone may need professional or urgent help.

Outcomes

What you’ll learn

Understand depression more clearly

Explore depression as a complex mental health difficulty, including some of the emotional, cognitive, behavioural and physical ways it can affect people.

Recognise common signs and changes

Consider some of the changes that may suggest someone is experiencing depression, while recognising that there is no single way depression looks.

Challenge common misconceptions

Examine assumptions about weakness, willpower, causes and visibility, and consider how these ideas can affect the way someone is understood and supported.

Approach someone supportively

Develop a more thoughtful approach to starting a conversation, listening without judgement and responding without feeling you need to diagnose or solve the problem.

Know when further help may be needed

Consider appropriate first-line support, personal boundaries and when professional, specialist or urgent help may be appropriate.

Course content

What we’ll cover

Understanding depression

We look at depression as more than a period of sadness, exploring some of the emotional, cognitive, behavioural and physical ways it can affect a person’s everyday life.

Recognising signs and changes

Participants consider some of the signs that may indicate someone is struggling, including changes in mood, motivation, energy, sleep, concentration and interest in things they would normally enjoy.

Challenging misconceptions and stigma

We explore common assumptions about depression, including ideas about weakness, willpower and visibility, and how these attitudes can make it harder for someone to speak openly or seek support.

Approaching a conversation

We consider how to approach someone you are concerned about, listen with empathy and avoid responses that dismiss, minimise or place pressure on the person.

Immediate support and safety

The session looks at appropriate first-line support, personal boundaries and what to do when there are concerns about someone’s immediate safety or wellbeing.

Professional help and recovery

We consider the importance of appropriate professional support, some of the different forms help may take and how someone can be encouraged towards support without trying to take responsibility for their recovery yourself.

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 discuss a subject that can sometimes feel difficult or personal.

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 Depression

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