“First Aid for the Soul”: rush to courses
Just last Friday, prospective first-aid-for-the-soul course instructors in Salzburg received their certificates. They are supposed to pass on their knowledge: 60 prospective course instructors are supposed to cushion the great rush.
“We are funded by the Healthy Austria Fund for four pilot federal states,” says project coordinator Romina Holzmann-Schöpf from Pro Mente. “But we have actually been able to train for six federal states. The interest was actually as follows: We had 60 applications for 40 training positions. We can probably start another training course this year, which makes us very happy.”
Recognition and correct handling in focus
The courses have been available since March 2021 – there are already 200 first aiders for the soul on the road in the state. Everything to do with our psyche is learned. Mental illnesses should be recognized and the correct handling of fear, panic or phobias should be taught. In addition, mania, psychosis and burnout should receive more attention in society. “Actually, everyone does first aid courses for physical illnesses,” says one of the course participants, Doris Greinöcker. “It was clear to me: first aid for the soul should be carried out, it should be spread in Austria.”
The prospective course leaders already have plenty of ideas in their first-aid kit for the soul: “In three weeks I’ll have the first course where I’ll train people,” says Erich Kargl, one of the graduates. “I’m looking forward to it, because I think that’s when our own training really begins: stay the course, get in touch with people and pass on the knowledge.”
Rush to “First Aid for the Soul”
Young people “need different tools”
In addition to adult training, there is also a desire to focus more on youth issues, says Josef Demitsch, head of crisis intervention at Pro Mente: “Young people need a different language, different tools, a different offer in order to be able to achieve the same effect as in the adult area. “
The aim is therefore to build up a large network to catch people with their worries and fears, especially during the pandemic. In addition to seminars, training courses and management consultancy, schools are also to be included.