Mental Health students' knowledge is picture perfect

02 July 2012

The posters have met with great acclaim

The posters have met with great acclaim

More than 120 service users, members of GCU staff and students attended a unique poster exhibition by second year mental health students to raise awareness of the understanding of mental health problems.
The event was designed as a showcase of students’ growing understanding of recovery in mental health and the posters have met with great acclaim from experts in the field.
Mental Health Academic Module Leader, Margaret Caldwell, said: “There was strong emphasis throughout the module on the perspectives of service user and carers, with the aim of developing students’ knowledge and understanding of recovery. This was further strengthened by the input of practitioners who have experience of supporting people on their journey of recovery. Students were asked to reflect on their new knowledge and understanding of recovery, and demonstrate that in a visual format.”
Visitors to the exhibition were asked to vote for the poster which they thought most strongly reflected the philosophy of recovery, in particular the importance of maintaining hope and optimism. 
Second year mental health students, as part of the module Restoring Mental Health worked in small groups to create a visual representation of their growing knowledge and understanding of recovery in mental health. The poster which attracted the most votes was ‘Recovery Rollercoaster’ designed by Liz Burns, Hazel Thompson, Gemma Ferguson, Juanita Mckinley and Rhiannon White.
Comments from visitors to the exhibition included:
“Everyone has made a great effort and each poster provides a great resource for people who perhaps do not truly understand the meaning of recovery.” (Service user)
“The quality of the posters was fantastic. Clearly there is an understanding of the recovery journey and the use of relevant resources within the community and hospital environment. It is commendable that thought had been put in to the whole process and I can see a great deal of discussion has taken place around the whole wellbeing and recovery agenda.” (Service user)
“The standard was very high and a great deal of hard work had gone in to the presentations. It's great to see such a high level of insight in to recovery.” (Service user)
“The posters were fantastic and thought provoking. I learned a lot from the exhibition.” (Staff member)

More than 120 service users, members of GCU staff and students attended a unique poster exhibition by second year mental health students to raise awareness of the understanding of mental health problems.

The event was designed as a showcase of students’ growing understanding of recovery in mental health and the posters have met with great acclaim from experts in the field.

Mental Health Academic Module Leader, Margaret Caldwell, said: “There was strong emphasis throughout the module on the perspectives of service user and carers, with the aim of developing students’ knowledge and understanding of recovery. This was further strengthened by the input of practitioners who have experience of supporting people on their journey of recovery. Students were asked to reflect on their new knowledge and understanding of recovery, and demonstrate that in a visual format.”

Visitors to the exhibition were asked to vote for the poster which they thought most strongly reflected the philosophy of recovery, in particular the importance of maintaining hope and optimism. 

Second year mental health students, as part of the module Restoring Mental Health worked in small groups to create a visual representation of their growing knowledge and understanding of recovery in mental health. The poster which attracted the most votes was ‘Recovery Rollercoaster’ designed by Liz Burns, Hazel Thompson, Gemma Ferguson, Juanita Mckinley and Rhiannon White.

Comments from visitors to the exhibition included:

  • “Everyone has made a great effort and each poster provides a great resource for people who perhaps do not truly understand the meaning of recovery.” (Service user)
  • “The quality of the posters was fantastic. Clearly there is an understanding of the recovery journey and the use of relevant resources within the community and hospital environment. It is commendable that thought had been put in to the whole process and I can see a great deal of discussion has taken place around the whole wellbeing and recovery agenda.” (Service user)
  • “The standard was very high and a great deal of hard work had gone in to the presentations. It's great to see such a high level of insight in to recovery.” (Service user)
  • “The posters were fantastic and thought provoking. I learned a lot from the exhibition.” (Staff member)

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