Pros-Consulte provides PSSM training in companies: First Aid in Mental Health. Delivered by a trainer accredited by PSSM France, this training aims to equip teams to:

• Being able to understand and identify signs of distress in a coworker
• Provide immediate help and support

The Mental Health First Aid training experience

Florence, an employee at Pros-Consulte, has been trained in Mental Health First Aid. She tells us more about her training experience:

Why did you take the Mental Health First Aid training?

I learned about this training course through one of our psychologists, who is a member of the Pros-Consulte network and a PSSM trainer. I attended the course out of curiosity. I had already taken a Level 1 first aid course with the Red Cross when I became a mother. I wanted to find out how I could help people with mental health issues. My company funded this training because management felt it was important to have an in-house mental health first-aider. During my professional life, I have witnessed panic attacks in the workplace. I wanted to know how to respond if this happened again, so that I could help.

What did you learn during the Mental Health First Aid training?

The training lasted two days. I learned the method taught by PSSM for intervening in a crisis situation with someone suffering from mental health issues. The training was very lively, with lots of discussion. I learned from the other trainees, some of whom were mental health professionals. I was able to deconstruct some of my preconceived ideas, particularly about suicide. Through practical exercises and role-playing, I gained a better understanding of what a person with schizophrenia, for example, might experience.

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I think the most important thing I learned was how to approach someone to offer my help. All of us trainees had different reasons for being there: the desire to help a loved one, a colleague, a patient... It was a very enriching experience. We talked freely about mental health, which is not a topic we discuss every day and can even be taboo. It was liberating to be able to ask sensitive questions, and the approach was very supportive.

How is it different from traditional training?

The PSSM training is different, first and foremost because of its content. It's not every day that you get to discuss suicide or addiction at work. I also really appreciated the fact that we were constantly on the move. The theoretical parts were interspersed with physical exercises during which we were active. I found the training program to be very well prepared. What was also unique was that we were considered first and foremost as citizens, and not defined by our profession. In fact, the trainer warned us from the outset: we were not to talk about our jobs. We were there as citizens, to help other citizens.

Who would you recommend this training course to?

I think this training is as useful as traditional first aid training. Everyone should be able to become a mental health first aider. In the workplace, I hope that one day this training will be mandatory, just like occupational health and safety training. Anyone can witness an anxiety attack or panic attack at some point. It would also help prevent suicide. Mental health has become less of a taboo subject, but without training, we don't know how to respond.