Leading a mental health class.

[jbjints]

Hello,

On Tuesday I have to lead a coping skills class at a mental health center and i am very nervous. Can anyone give me any pointers? I know that eye contact is important, allow the client to speak, and never ask the client why but other then that i am very nervous. I would love to keep the class moving along but I see myself being very nervous in responding to the client.

I'd appreciate any tips that anyone could provide for me.

[pinkiepie_RN]

Check to see if there are handouts available for this group and if possible, ask those at the mental health center how the group is typically run. I have helped run coping skills groups before as a tech in a mental health inpatient facility but it really depends on the patient population. Start with perhaps asking someone to define a "coping skill" or maybe ask everyone what they think coping skill means. Go from there and have your own definition to share. Ask if anyone knows of a positive coping skill and see what happens. I think I remember someone writing every letter of the alphabet and having patients list something that's a coping skill for each letter. It was interesting to say the least. Also have them say why that's a good coping skill.

Hope this makes some sense. Writing papers the night before clinical isn't my favorite thing to do, but sometimes it's necessary!

[fiveofpeep]

we have that next week hehe. Well for us, the "coping skill" is making a picture frame for them to give as a gift to a loved one (encouraging generosity). Maybe you can use music, crafts, etc to keep it occupied so that you arent just lecturing. If you keep them occupied it will work out better. At the hospital we are at, I cant think of one person who could sit still in group without something exciting to do or watch.