News

Male Trauma Information Sessions

Date : 26/01/2010

At Health in Mind

Working with Men who have Experienced Trauma

February 24th, 8th March, 30th March: 2-4pm

For statutory and voluntary sector frontline staff working with men who have experienced physical and sexual trauma

Participants have a choice of three different dates for these events.

Aims:

To better understand the issues of men who have experienced physical and sexual trauma in order to help support practices of frontline workers.

Objectives

Develop a greater awareness of male abuse issues for frontline staff working with men who have experienced trauma.

Increase an awareness of male survivors about the impact abuse has on their current relationship.
Increase in understanding what adds to the health and wellbeing and resilience of men who have experienced trauma.

It is becoming increasingly clear that there is lack of information on the needs of men who have experienced physical and sexual trauma in early life. Frontline workers often lack the understanding of how to care and support for men who have these experiences, often questioning what makes men different to women and whether one should work differently with men and if so in what ways.

Growing research and literature suggests that although some issues are generic, men are clearly influenced differently especially in their identity, behaviours, perceptions of themselves and how they relate to others.

In these information sessions the impact of trauma on men will be examined, addressing these areas. Participants will be encouraged to explore these issues discussing how practices could be developed. The sessions are aimed at frontline workers who often support men who have experienced physical and sexual trauma.

At the end of the course participants will have:

Been given information on the differing needs of men.
Acquired knowledge of research and literature on issues around men and trauma.
Developed an understanding the impact trauma has on men’s relationships, behaviour and identity.
Explored how practices can be developed to work more effectively with men who have experienced physical and sexual trauma.

Jim Campbell

Jim is an independent mental health trainer, researcher and practitioner based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has over 15 years experience in health and social care within mental health nurse and support roles in the NHS, Social Work and Voluntary sectors.

In more recent year he has specialised in mental health recovery, working in research, education and practice both nationally and internationally. He enjoys writing and has publications in mental health magazines, journals, books and websites.

Jim has been working independently since 2007, working with various organisations including NHS Lothian, Health in Mind, Scottish Recovery Network, Working to Recovery and NHS Education for Scotland. He continues to be employed as a mental health nurse, grounding all this work within practice.

He has a long standing interest in developing understandings, systems and tools for people who have experienced sexual trauma and mental distress. He was a member of the Planning Advisory Group of the recent research commissioned by Health in Mind and undertaken by the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships looking at the ‘Care and support needs of male survivors of childhood sexual abuse’. And in 2009 was involved with the dissemination of the research findings through a national conference and dissemination events throughout Scotland.

His passion and enthusiasm lies in recovery, giving people hope that change can and will happen.