Questions and Answers

ensa is a project of the Swiss Foundation Pro Mente Sana, launched with the generous support of the Beisheim Foundation. While Pro Mente Sana works for the mental wellbeing of everybody in Switzerland, and particularly for the social and vocational integration of people with a mental impairment, the Beisheim Foundation – together with partner organizations – initiates and promotes projects to solve key societal challenges. Together we succeeded in bringing the Australian programme ‘Mental Health First Aid’ to Switzerland.

The word "ensa", which comes from one of the more than 300 languages spoken by native Australians, means "answer". We are convinced that ensa delivers the answer to questions of how to help people with mental difficulties.

The content of the ensa first aid course is based on scientific findings. There is no other programme whose effects have been documented by so many scientific studies in recognized specialist journals.

Almost everybody in Switzerland is confronted with the subject of mental illness or at least has been in the past. The ensa first aid course is designed to help them. With the focused training they have undergone, ensa instructors provide course participants with the practical expertise they need to recognize mental problems and acute crises at an early stage in people close to them, and to intervene correctly.

Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm developed the first aid course for mental health in Canberra (Australia) in 2000/2001. Betty Kitchener is a trainer who has been affected by mental problems, while Tony Jorm is a researcher in the field of mental health. Their objective was to make non-experts better able to help when persons close to them exhibit mental difficulties. Since the course was launched, 26 other countries (as at January 2019) have acquired licences and over 2.6 million people (as at mid-2018) have completed it.

The first aid course for mental health improves knowledge of mental health, reduces stigmatizing behaviour, increases people's confidence in their ability to help and strengthens their own mental health.

You can support ensa in a variety of ways, for example by attending a first aid course for mental health or becoming an ensa instructor. We are also delighted to receive donations to the Pro Mente Sana Foundation The Pro Mente Sana Foundation is a ZEWO-certified registered charity.

If your question is not answered here, the best thing to do is e-mail us at info@ensa.swiss.

The ensa course starts off with the mediation of basic knowledge about mental health and mental illness. Together we will reflect on the frequency of mental illnesses as well as how we approach people experiencing mental health problems in our society. You get to the know the first aid for mental health in 5 steps and study the most common or most serious mental illnesses (depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis and addiction) First aid in crisis situations will be discussed and practiced throughout the course, as well as how to address and support people showing initial signs of mental health issues.

First aiders have a basic knowledge of various mental health issues and crisis. They know how to approach the affected person in their personal milieu, to help, support and inform them as well as to encourage them to seek professional help and activate additional. First aiders do not learn how to diagnose mental illnesses.

The first aid course is paid directly during the booking process on the website. The following means of payment are accepted: Postfinance, Mastercard, VISA, Paypal or TWINT.

Every registration for an ensa course is binding. Cancellations can be sent to info@ensa.swiss. In case of cancellation of participation in a public course, the course fees will be refunded deducting a cancellation fee of CHF 50 (incl. VAT). Once a course has started, cancellation is no longer possible and course fees will not be refunded in case of course cancellation.

If the user wishes to rebook to another course up to 7 days before the first day of a public course, they can do so using the link in the confirmation email to the original course. There will be no charge. If the rebooking is made less than 7 days before the start of the course, a rebooking fee of CHF 30 (incl. VAT) will be charged. Rebooking after the start of the course is not possible.

No, your registration for the ensa first aid course is always final.

In order to be admitted to the exam and obtain the certificate, you must attend all parts of the first aid course. An absence of maximum one hour is permitted in consultation with an instructor. If the participant misses one or more course parts, they will receive an email notification. This contains a link that allows the user to book the missed course parts in an alternative course within 6 months. The user will be shown all options available at that time. A catch-up fee of CHF 50 (incl. VAT) is charged per booking. Multiple catch-up dates can be booked.

The ensa first aid courses are conducted by an ensa instructor. They have been prepared by specially qualified trainers of the Pro Mente Sana Foundation.

You can register for an ensa first aid course directly at Kursseite.

You can register for an ensa first aid course directly at Kursseite.

The ensa first aid course lasts for 12 hours in total.

Yes. After the ensa first aid course all participants receive an electronic link to a survey about the course and the exam. The exam consists of two case studies, each with 5 questions, and 5 true-or-false questions (15 questions altogether). First aiders who pass the exam are sent the ensa first aider certificate by email.

We do not send out documentation in advance. You will receive the ensa manual during the course, and when you pass the exam, the ensa first aider certificate.

No preparations are necessary.

The ensa first aider certificate is valid for three years. After that, the holder must take a short refresher course to maintain its validity.

This is at the discretion of the ensa instructors, up to a maximum of 20 people. We recommend a group size between 8 and 20.

In German, French, Italian and English.

The ensa course is compliant with the regulations of the EMR (ErfahrungsMedizinisches Register). The Swiss Association of Nutritionists will certify the ensa course with 12 SVDE points from 1 January 2020.

The Swica reimburses partially the course's costs if supplementary insurance is held. Depending on the supplementary insurance, this portion can be 50% or more. Clarifications are currently being considered by other insurers regarding reimbursement.

Companies and organizations can send employees on ensa first aid courses, or they can have courses conducted internally. Larger companies and organizations may find it beneficial to have employees trained as ensa instructors to conduct internal courses.

We are happy to disclose the costs for companies and organizations on request.

ensa instructor training lasts five working days, divided in a three-day and a two-day part. We are happy to disclose the costs for companies and organizations on request.

Yes. It makes particular sense in the working environment for a certain proportion of employees to have first aider expertise. The Pro Mente Sana Foundation recommends 10%. This makes a prophylactic attitude to mental health part of the corporate culture, and employees affected by mental problems can be given support at an early stage.

Yes. Companies and organizations can have first aiders trained internally by the Pro Mente Sana Foundation or by independently active instructors. Or they can have ensa instructors of their own trained, who will then conduct internal first aid courses for mental health. Licensing as an ensa instructor is personal, not linked to the company or organization. If you have any questions or queries, please contact info@ensa.swiss.