LISTEN: Offshore medics to receive mental health training

Offshore medics are to be trained on how to properly deal with mental illness.

Published 25th Feb 2016

Offshore medics are to be trained on how to properly deal with mental illness.

Since the beginning of the oil downturn, in Summer 2014, there has been an increase in oil workers seeking counselling for mental illness.

Back in September, we revealed that there's had been a 15% increase in people seeking counseling at Mental Health Aberdeen.

Chief Executive, Astrid Whyte, told us that the majority of those were suffering from anxiety and depression.

The training will be offered through two-day courses, which will run on Monday, March 28 and Tuesday, March 29 as well as Monday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 26.

The skills development programme has been created in response to a perceived lack of training for those who work with people experiencing mental distress included as part of standard remote medic qualifications.

Our reporter Hope Webb spoke to Professor Ian Murray, from RGU, about the training.

Listen to that interview here: