[This course will take you about 1h to complete.]

This course is a brief guide to assist fostering agency staff in proactively supporting the mental health of foster carers. It will explain the spectrum of mental health, from mental wellness to mental illness. Knowing the signs, how to provide support, engaging in productive conversations and where to find more information are all critical aspects of helping foster carers remain in good condition so they can provide quality care. These things can help in supporting not only an individual foster carer’s mental health, but that of their child in care. This is part of the larger need to progress our communities and society forward in talking openly and seriously about mental health.

In this course, you will learn:
- What mental health is and what it isn’t.
- Why it is important for foster carers.
- Risk and protective factors.
- How to spot the signs of mental ill-health.
- Strategies and resources to recommend.