Four-day course puts young people’s mental health at the forefront

Dr Pooky Knightsmith, a UK-based child and adolescent mental health specialist and author, has completed a four day training programme delivered to professionals who work with young people on the Rock.

The bespoke training was based on the results of phase 1 of a study conducted in Gibraltar schools.

Over 260 delegates attended the course including both public and private sector educators, GHA clinicians and allied health professionals, RGP, Care Agency, Youth Service, Public Health, NGOs and charities.

Dr Knightsmith told the Chronicle that the course had been “absolutely fantastic”, with all involved engaging with it.

“Everyone has been really enthusiastic and are very keen to teach me about everything that makes Gibraltar quite a special place and quite a unique place in terms of both the positives and negatives,” she said.

She said providing the training in Gibraltar was different when compared to courses she has given in places such as London.

“There are two things. One is this sense of a very tight knit community, everybody knows each other and sometimes that's really good and really positive and you get a real sense that there's a real sense of community and cohesion,” she said.

“However, where there are difficulties with, for example, mental health, then that can be a bit of taboo and stigma and that can be more difficult within a very close knit community where everybody knows what's going on with everybody else,” she added.

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Pic by Johnny Bugeja