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  9. Mental health is a trade union issue: February 2025, in person

Mental health is a trade union issue: 7, February, 2025, Northern region, in person, Newcastle/Gateshead

This course is designed for reps who want to develop an understanding around why mental health is a trade union issue, and to ensure working practices support equality. This course would benefit both UCU equality reps, health and safety reps, and others in the branch who represent or negotiate on behalf of members. The course will reference the Covid-19 pandemic and it's impact on mental health in the workplace.

Health & safety rep courses

Course details

Nation/region:Northern 
Course meeting dates: 7, February 2025

Please ensure you can attend the entire course prior to submitting your application  form. Please further ensure you have secured time off from your employer to attend.
Course meeting times:9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Course time commitment:6 - 10 hours including pre & post course work
Location:Newcastle/Gateshead 

Course content

This course will help you to:

  • Understand why mental heath is a trade union issue
  • identify how people with mental health conditions experience discrimination in the workplace
  • represent and support members with mental health conditions
  • discuss the role of trade unions in dealing with mental health issues
  • assess how the pandemic has impacted on mental health conditions and issues
  • identify areas around which your branch can negotiate more supportive policies

Throughout the courses we will use the social model when discussing mental health. the social model states that a person becomes disabled by the environment and attitudinal barriers that they encounter, not by their medical condition.

Please be aware, we do not encourage discussion around personal mental health issues or conditions by participants on this course unless relevant to the course material. If you are struggling with a current mental health condition or issue, please seek the appropriate advice.

UCU courses are funded via members' contributions and public funding.

Information Facility time

Time off for training is a right and one which should be exercised as part of normal industrial relations. For more info please see  Facilities and time off for UCU reps.

When you apply for a course we will assume that are making a commitment to attend the course as advertised, and have secured time off from your employer. Please contact your branch/region if you are having problems securing time off.

Important Before you complete this form, please be aware: You may be asked to register with the delivering college in which your trade union tutor is employed. Where colleges are drawing down funding for delivery you will be ask for your passport or equivalent identification details to register. This is a demand of the college who are following government requirements in order to satisfy public funding criteria. This is not a requirement UCU want to see and we are lobbying for change. However, as it stands, if you do not register with the college, your place will not be fundable.