As a tour guide, I’m privileged to meet a lot of people, from different backgrounds, cultures and countries.
From my standpoint, I can see the impact of the crisis situation which we have been living in for the last 3 years. I also have many acquaintances and friends who are in pain.
I have often felt inadequately equipped to respond in the most appropriate way.
So, in the same way that I regularly train in physical first aid (first aid in the vineyard with Lavaux Patrimoine mondial (LPm), Base pool patent with the Swiss Rescue Society (while waiting for the river, lake and hypothermia modules), when Pascale Fesquet told me about the ensa Switzerland mental health first aid course at the initiative from Foundation Pro Mente Sana, I saw it as an opportunity to deconstruct the stigmas and prejudices which are still too often attached with mental illness.
During 4 intense evenings, Steven Derendinger gave us an thoroughly interesting course, illustrated by practical examples and supported by the latest scientific studies. Many thanks to him and to all the participants for their openness, their sharings and our enriching exchanges.