Duties: Sue Manages the project and is responsible for the outstanding success of Mental Health First Aid North East. She manages all staff working in the project and ensures that all of the programme are ran to a high standard. Contact Sue if you interested in running a series of Mental Health First Aid Training Courses for your organization or any ad-hoc courses you are interested in us delivering.

About Sue: 'I have been involved in teaching and training for 10 years and have worked with both adults and young people with mental health problems. I became a MHFA trainer to improve the help available for people who have, or are at risk of developing a mental health problem.
I am aware that many people do not know what to do to help someone in this situation, whether as part of their job, or with family or friends. The Mental Health First Aid training provides the knowledge and practical steps people can use to give the initial help that can make a real difference to someone who is having difficulties and then enable them to access further or professional help if required. I went on the training myself before I became an instructor and found it extremely informative and used what I learnt both in my job and in my personal life'.

sue.clarke@middlesbroughmind.org.uk

Duties: Emma is a very popular member of the team and delivers the MHFA course on a Full Time basis. Some feedback on Emma as a trainer:

‘ Emma was Dynamic, supportive , animated and knowledgeable throughout the course’  Durham County Council

‘ Emma was excellent, she delivered difficult and serious training in a sensitive way’ Barclaycard

About Emma:'I have a degree in Education and have worked in the area of adult training since graduating. My experience is mainly working in private industry and training staff on a variety of subjects including well being. I feel very passionately about what the Mental Health First Aid course aims to achieve and I am very enthusiastic about my involvement in reducing stigma and discrimination around mental health. The very practical approach the course takes to advise an individual on how to support someone in emotional distress can give them the confidence to have that conversation that they may have been fearful of having prior to attending the course'.

Rebecca Rutherford: Administration and Marketing Officer

Duties: Rebecca is often the first point of contact for those wanting to attend the MHFA course and ensures that all admin procedures are adhered to from before a delegate attends the course till they a trained. Rebecca also fulfils a wide range of marketing activities.

About Rebecca: 'I graduated from Teesside University in 2005 with a degree in Media. Since I have worked in various Marketing and Administrative positions for a range of businesses and have held an ambition to work for a cause I felt strongly about due to personal experiences. My skills in admin and marketing have contributed to this role and I am delighted to be working with such a dedicated and passionate team'.

rebecca.rutherford@middlesbroughandstocktonmind.org.uk

Jill Dales: Mental Health First Aid Trainer

About Jill: 'I qualified as a psychiatric nurse in the late 1970's and throughout my career in nursing, which included General, District, Marie Curie and MacMillan nursing, I have been involved in teaching and training. Due to professional and personal experiences, I have always been passionate about helping people understand the importance of mental health. Many people may be affected by mental health problems, either their own or of those close to them,  and I consider it a huge privilege to be able to contribute to the Mental Health First Aid training programme which emphasizes the importance of those first steps in providing help and understanding to someone experiencing difficulties'.

Heather Watson: Mental Health First Aid Trainer

About Heather: 'My first interest in mental health awareness came about 13 years ago due to some personal experiences. I have since worked in a variety of health and social care settings, including supporting families and friends of people who care for someone with a mental health problem. I became a MHFA trainer as I wanted to be part of something that could make a real difference to people who experience mental ill-health and their families. I am dedicated in reducing the stigma that surrounds mental health and believe that greater understanding can improve everybody’s well-being'.

Samm Goodall: Mental Health First Aid Trainer

About Samm: 'My experience covers support, training & development within the voluntary sector. I have delivered training related to mental health issues & supported individuals with mental ill health throughout my career. I became involved in MHFA training as I am passionate about promoting awareness & reducing the stigma & discrimination that many people with mental health problems experience.

The MHFA course is an exciting & important development in the arena of training & the knowledge gained will make a significant difference not only to the individual who attends, but to their colleagues, family & friends. Using the knowledge & skills gained on the course can increase confidence about approaching the subject of mental ill health & promote greater understanding within the family, workplace & the wider community.

I feel thankful to be a part of a project that is supportive, informative & forward-thinking. I have experienced the benefits of attending the course both personally & professionally & I hope that more people become aware of MHFA & find the experience as rewarding as I have'.

Maria Clarke: Mental Health First Aid Trainer

'I became involved in the promotion of wellbeing and positive mental health after a personal experience of mental ill health. Since then I’ve qualified as a Humanistic Counsellor working in Primary care and developed my skills as a trainer by delivering counselling courses to adults in Further Education.

I’m committed to raising awareness of the issues around mental health to help reduce some of the fear and lack of understanding around the subject. Hopefully in this way we can make a real difference to people’s experience and promote the message of recovery that runs throughout Mental Health First Aid. I also appreciate and value how much delegates take away for themselves from the course- taking the opportunity to reflect on our own mental wellbeing has a huge impact'.

Funded by the Big Lottery Fund and as Part of the New Leaf New Life Portfolio