Athena brings unique expertise as the only consumer-led workforce development organisation in Victoria.
Our courses are carefully crafted to meet current and emerging needs of the consumer workforce.
We work collaboratively with learners, and with organisations, to identify what training they want and need.
For consumer workers.
We have been consumer workers for many years, and between us we’ve worked in every type of consumer role. We understand the challenges and opportunities, the passion and the tensions, the hopes and the fears. And we remember what it was like to start out holding all of this, with almost no training available.
Our courses are designed by and for the consumer workforce, to meet our unique needs, in safe and brave spaces. We want every consumer/survivor worker to feel resourced, skilled and confident to be our absolute best. Not just for our workforce, but for all of us who are using the mental health system too.
You can find our courses in different ways:
Selected courses are offered through the Centre for Mental Health Learning (CMHL) calendar.
Our courses can be delivered in-house at your organisation, and we’re happy to customise content to meet your local needs.
From time to time we will offer training directly, booked via this website.
Check out our upcoming training here and consider following us on Twitter.
For organisations.
Athena can work with you to deliver in-house training for your consumer workforce. We even have some organisational readiness training for non-consumer workers, about how to partner with the consumer workforce.
Read on below for our course modules, or talk to us about customising a course that meets your needs.
We are also available for consultancy in areas like developing a training needs assessment or post-training supervision for your consumer workforce.
Contact us to discuss your needs.
Our approach to training
All our courses are interactive, based on adult learning principles, and learner focused. We believe that adults approach learning with a wealth of knowledge and experience to contribute.
Our philosophy is underpinned by the principles of popular education pioneered by Paolo Freire and adopted across the globe successfully for more than 50 years:
“Popular education draws out and validates what participants already know and do, connects their personal experience to larger social realities and then supports participants to work collectively to change their reality”
Our approach recognises the constant interweaving between theory and practice, cultivating:
critical thinking and reflection
appreciating the contested nature of ideas, world views and explanatory models
perspective taking using ethical, human rights and social justice lenses
We can deliver a range of mix and match modalities including webinars, on-line and face to face in formats including workshops, seminars, and modules which can be flexibly delivered and tailor-made to suit different individual and organisational training needs.
We generally recommend intervals between learning modules to encourage critical reflection.
We have strengths in on-line course design and use a range of contemporary teaching and training methods to suit a variety of learning styles, including:
Podcasts
Games
Discussions
More didactic methods
Flexible and customisable learning.
Modules.
Our training is designed in modules which can be rearranged to form courses, or delivered on their own as short courses. Each module can be tailored to meet the needs of:
Different role and work contexts: including research, policy development, service delivery (peer support), education and training, project and committee participation, advocacy and leadership
All levels of work experience: including pre-employment, orientation, early to mid career and senior roles including management and governance.
Categories.
Course modules are structured into the four categories outlined below, that broadly address differing workforce needs.
Applied and breadth modules can be delivered as individual modules or mixed and matched into custom courses to meet differing organisational and sector situations. We can work with NGOs, public and private mental health services.
We recommend that all learners complete the three foundations modules unless they have equivalent work experience.
The four types of modules.
Foundations modules.
Underpinning knowledge and critical thinking relevant to all consumer roles.
Applied modules.
Deeper knowledge and skills applied to different consumer roles and contexts.
Breadth modules.
Broader knowledge and skills which support leadership and specialist practice.
Non-consumer modules.
Organisational readiness training to support non-consumers.
Foundation modules.
These three modules provide a critical foundation for all consumer workers, regardless of role. They are also an excellent beginning point for anyone thinking of becoming a consumer worker. These three modules are commonly delivered together over a minimum of two half-day workshops.
History of the consumer movement.
This module introduces learners to the history, principles and key concepts from the consumer movement. This includes an introduction to critical consumer texts, important debates, and contemporary challenges and opportunities. (module F1)
What is consumer perspective (the discipline)?
This module explores the discipline of consumer perspective which underpins all consumer workforce roles. Learners will explore what consumer perspective is, why it matters, and how to apply it. The course will include an introduction to basic human rights concepts, examine common challenges for working from consumer perspective and how to manage conflicting pressures. (module F2)
What is the consumer workforce (the roles)?.
This module will introduce learners to the history, breadth and depth of consumer workforce roles and opportunities. Learners will explore career options, how different roles intersect, as well as values and ethical issues in consumer work. The course will introduce learners to common debates, opportunities and challenges for the workforce. (module F3)
Applied modules (practice depth).
These modules aim to deepen skills and knowledge in existing consumer roles. Modules vary in length from a half-day to a two-day workshop.
Making space for difference: Appreciating and engaging diverse views and voices.
This module supports learners to contextualise their lived experience critically and reflexively. Learners will consider how their lived experience and views sit within a broader context, and to understand, appreciate and respectfully engage with diverse consumer experiences and views. (Module A1)
This module is relevant to all consumer roles.
Effective consumer perspective advice and consulting (introduction).
This module is an introduction to navigating projects and committees from consumer perspective. It includes an introduction to common advisory situations, engagement and influencing strategies, common traps and practical skills for using your voice with influence. (Module A2)
This module is particularly relevant to consumer consultants, policy advisers, and consumers who participate in committees and projects.
Effective consumer perspective advice and consulting (advanced).
This module provides extended learning about how work authentically and effectively, particularly in challenging situations. Learners will explore structural barriers and ethical responses, including how to prioritise conflicting issues, critical analysis and questioning. (Module A3)
This module is particularly relevant to consumer consultants, policy advisers, and consumers who participate in committees and projects.
Working effectively with allies.
This module explores the role and value of allies, including how to identify allies, and strategies to nurture and draw on allyship in work settings. Learners will look at the concept of allyship in other marginalised communities and consider intersectional issues. (Module A4)
This module is relevant to all consumer roles.
Effective consumer perspective education and training.
This module will support consumers working in education and training roles to explore a variety of methods and strategies to incorporate consumer perspective into learning processes. Learners will explore common challenges and ethical questions, critical and reflexive thinking, as well as flexible approaches to achieving authentic influence. (Module A5)
This module is relevant to any consumers who provide education or training as part of their role.
Participatory methods: Coproduction, codesign, engagement and consultation.
This module explores the different types of participatory strategies in mental health sector and policy settings. Learners will explore the participatory ladder, pros and cons, and best practice for each level. Particular focus will be given to authentic co-design, co-production and lived-experience led approaches. (Module A6)
This module is particularly relevant to consumer consultants, policy advisers, and consumers who participate in committees and projects.
Breadth modules.
These modules aim to develop broader skills which may support career development, including into leadership and management positions.
Understanding evaluation, research and evidence.
This module will introduce the concept of evidence, and evaluation and research. Learners will explore key concepts and principles, and how to source and understand evidence, including peer-reviewed and grey literature. Learners will practice skills in critically evaluating evidence from a consumer perspective. The course will introduce consumer perspective academia and writing. (Module B1)
This module is particularly relevant to consumer consultants, policy advisers, and consumers who participate in committees and projects—however it may also be of benefit to other consumer workers.
Effective consumer perspective public speaking.
This module will explore how to use story effectively and ethically in public speaking. Learners will consider how to separate message from story, and how to have an authentic and effective impact. The course will look at common challenges and opportunities, as well as different contexts for speaking (ie, in-services, conferences). (Module B2)
This module is relevant for any consumers who engage in public speaking.
Human rights in the context of consumer perspective work.
This module introduces human rights from a consumer perspective. Learners will explore key rights concepts and issues for consumers, and how the foundation of human rights runs through all consumer roles. The module will introduce the range of Victorian, Australian and international conventions and laws which protect and restrict human rights, the role of protection and oversight mechanisms and organisations, and consider practical application to work practice. (Module B3)
This module is relevant to all consumer roles.
Breadth and depth in peer support approaches.
This module will introduce a range of different concepts, practices and approaches to recovery and healing which can deepen and broaden peer support practice. These include the Hearing Voices Approach, Alternatives to Suicide, Open Dialogue, the Power Threat Meaning Framework, narrative therapy, as well as key elements of Intentional Peer Support and PeerZone. (Module B4)
This module is particularly relevant to peer support workers, but may be useful for any consumer role.
Facilitation skills using consumer perspective.
This module draws on consumer perspective to develop and enhance skills in group facilitation. Learners will explore power, equity, group dynamics and pragmatic strategies facilitate effective, respectful and rights-based groups. (Module B5)
This module is relevant to any consumer role where group facilitation is required.
Intro to management 1: A consumer lens on how the mental health system works.
This module will introduce learners to how the overall mental health system works, and the challenges and opportunities this presents in their work roles. Learners will explore the role of state and Commonwealth government, policy, clinical, community and related sectors, peak bodies, statutory bodies, and industrial and professional organisations. Key functions and concepts will be explored from consumer perspective including governance, management, funding, quality and safety, oversight, regulation and reform. (Module B6)
This module may be relevant to any consumer role, but is particularly relevant to consumer advocates, consumer consultants, and consumers moving into management, governance and other leadership roles.
Modules for non-consumers (organisational readiness).
These modules are for non-consumer workers, that is, all the other mental health roles who work with the consumer workforce.
I want to make change but I feel powerless.
This module is a dialogic workshop that supports safe and collaborative self-reflection and exploration of how we achieve change. We will work together to understand and explore power, where power sits in systems, where can you leverage your own power and where you can connect with collective power. This course takes a strengths-based approach and aims to support and strengthen hopes for change. (Module N1)
This module is relevant to any non-consumer in the mental health sector who wants to make change and is interested in exploring power.
How to be an ally to consumer workers.
This module introduces non-consumers in the mental health sector to the concept of allyship. Learners will explore why allies are critical for consumer workers, what it means to be an ally in practice, and a range of challenges and opportunities to allyship. The course will reflect on allyship in other marginalised communities, and include pragmatic strategies to apply in everyday situations. (Module N2)
This module is relevant to any person who works with the consumer workforce, and will assist in building organisational readiness for a growing consumer workforce.
Breadth and depth in consumer valued approaches.
This module will introduce a range of different concepts, practices and approaches to recovery and healing which are valued by the consumer movement and workforce. These include the Hearing Voices Approach, Alternatives to Suicide, Open Dialogue, the Power Threat Meaning Framework, narrative therapy, as well as key elements of Intentional Peer Support and PeerZone. (Module N3)
This module is relevant for any non-consumer worker who wants to better understand approaches to mental health that are valued by consumers and survivors.
Other opportunities for building organisational readiness for the consumer workforce
Other modules from our curricula can be adapted for delivery to non-consumer workforces and may assist in building organisational readiness for the consumer workforce. Good candidates include:
The foundations modules (F1–3)
Making space for difference (A1)
Participatory methods (A6)
Human rights (B3)
