Regional College Residential

In June 2024, Colin, Caroline, Oisin and Sophy designed and delivered a four-day wellbeing workshop for a group of students from the Regional Colleges in Northern Ireland. The workshop used the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) model as a framework to equip participants with the skills necessary to maintain psychological fitness and deal with challenging life experiences.

 

Over the four days, the team used a blend of teaching, and individual & group activities to foster an understanding of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, how they each interact with one another, and what the student’s personal patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving are.

 

Colin led the first day and introduced the students to the CBT framework and the importance of getting to know ourselves, prioritising our mental health and wellbeing and developing psychological fitness. On day two, Sophy led a session on ‘Thoughts’ which explored what thoughts are and where they come from, and how they have a major influence on our lives, the decisions we make, and the emotional reactions we have. Caroline focused on the ‘Mind-Body’ relationship on the third day and taught the students some practical strategies for regulating their emotions and managing physiological symptoms. The fourth and final day saw Oisin lead the session on behaviours. The session focused on the impact our habits have on our thoughts and emotions. It also looked at the importance of ‘building a solid foundation’ and making sure we are meeting our basic needs each day.

 

Each session provided students with important information on the topic at hand and tools for them to use to support themselves when they are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. Each student received a certificate for taking part, and they team put together a digital booklet full of information and resources for them to keep and refer to.

 

It is out hope that the students gained a greater insight into their belief systems and ways of experiencing the world, enhanced their emotional regulation skills, and fostered a proactive and self-reflective way of addressing life’s challenges.