Overview

In this course, you will learn how to assist a peer PhD student, a colleague, or someone else near you who may be experiencing a mental health problem until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves, using a practical, evidence-based action plan.

Program Design

The Mental Health First Aid course will run as 4x3 hour modules. Participation during all four days is required:
 
Thursday September 9 at 13.00 – 16.00
Friday September 10 at 09.00 – 12.00
Monday September 13 at 13.00 – 16.00
Tuesday September 14 at 09.00 – 12.00

Instructors

Christine Karlsson and Jenny Hansson, Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructors

Format

In-person meeting if the Covid-19 situation allows, otherwise Zoom.

Eligibility

Stem Cell Center-affiliated PhD students

Registration

Please register before April 30, 2021 using the link below. The number of participants is limited to 20 and may be reduced to allow an IRL meeting in line with Covid-19 recommendations.
 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe61SLRk2mCjV-6K7FjmatjsV6ZwFs…

Course details

Below please find a summary of purpose, content, and learning outcomes of the MHFA course. Detailed information can be found here: https://ki.se/en/nasp/mhfa-mental-health-first-aid

Purpose

The idea behind the Mental Health First Aid program is similar to physical first aid training: To provide the student with the knowledge that allows him or her to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems and to step in and provide initial help and support until the person receives professional help or the crisis resolves. The intention is also to spread awareness about mental health and mental illness in order to reduce prejudice and stigmatization. The program is based on scientific evidence and expert consensus from researchers and clinicians.

Program Content

• The training provides an overview of the occurrence of various forms of mental illness in Sweden, providing detailed knowledge of the signs and symptoms of various mental disorders, particularly depression, suicidal proximity, psychotic disorders and anxiety disorders and the treatment available.
• The course provides knowledge on how to recognize and intervene in crises such as self-injury, suicide proximity, panic attacks, trauma and acute psychotic state.
• The course teaches how to receive and acknowledge that information and how to encourage those in need to seek appropriate psychiatric help, encouraging the use of various self-help strategies.
• Participants receive an instructive and detailed handbook on first aid for mental health.
• This is an education course, to learn how to give first aid to others, and is not a therapy or support group.

Course fee

• The course is free of charge for members of the Research School in Stem Cell Biology. Read more about membership here.

• No-show policy: Individuals who have been admitted to the course and fail to show up will be required to pay a no-show fee of 1000 SEK. If you cannot attend the workshop, please send an e-mail to christine [dot] karlsson [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se in advance.