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<p>The Government is committed to ensuring that Prison Officers receive the appropriate
training to support prisoners with mental health needs. The Prison Officer Entry Level
Training (POELT) course, delivered to new Prison Officers, includes modules on mental
health and personality disorders.</p><p> </p><p>The ‘Introduction to Mental Health’
module covers the most prevalent mental health issues in prison including anxiety
states, depression, bi-polar disorder, psychosis and schizophrenia, and personality
disorders. The session also covers how an officer can support prisoners with different
disorders.</p><p> </p><p>The mental health awareness module forms part of the revised
“Introduction to Suicide and Self-Harm (SaSH) Prevention” training package. This training
is being delivered to all new and existing Prison Officers, as well as HMPPS and non-HMPPS
staff who are in contact with prisoners. Between April 2017 and January 2018 more
than 14,300 staff have been trained in at least one of the six SaSH modules, and over
6,800 staff have completed the training in full. With specific reference to the mental
health training module, internal figures show that over 7,000 new and existing staff
have completed the module.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside this, a Suicide Prevention Learning
Tool has been developed in partnership with Samaritans. This tool communicates important
messages to identify and support prisoners at risk. Some prisons continue to deliver
locally devised mental health training packages, often in conjunction with the local
healthcare provider.</p>
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