Vicki Coppock, a Professor in Social Sciences: Childhood Studies and Mental Health, has helped to promote mental health awareness and tackle stigma through her research and contribution to an interactive training programme for those working with children.
Vicki’s research explored ways of positively influencing how professionals deal with children and young people experiencing mental distress. This research was then used as the basis for Merseyside Youth Association’s highly successful training programme ‘Mad Bad or Misunderstood?’ The training programme has been delivered to over 4,000 teachers, social workers, police offices, parents, foster carers, health workers and volunteers as an essential tool in improving mental health understanding and challenging negative stereotypes.
‘Mad Bad or Misunderstood?’ was profiled in The Guardian and Young People Now and is recognised by Child and Maternal Health Observatory (ChiMat) due to its importance when working with young people. Vicki’s research is helping to develop children’s mental health services in England to ensure an inclusive, child-centred service is provided.
The training manual is available at: http://www.chimat.org.uk/tacklingstigma/liverpool