{"id":6715,"date":"2024-11-04T13:59:38","date_gmt":"2024-11-04T12:59:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pssm.lu\/faq\/"},"modified":"2025-07-03T11:48:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T09:48:16","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.pssm.lu\/en\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t

1. General information on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\tWhat is Mental Health First Aid?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Inspired by the concept of physical first aid, Mental Health First Aid courses aim to teach participants how to recognise signs of psychological distress, intervene quickly and appropriately and refer people to professional help if necessary. The idea is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and build support capacity in communities.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tWhere did the idea for Mental Health First Aid come from?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The idea for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) originated in Australia, where the programme was created in 2000 by Betty Kitchener, a mental health nurse, and Anthony Jorm, a psychology professor. Their aim was to improve society’s understanding of mental disorders and enable everyone to play an active role in supporting people in difficulty.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tDoes Mental Health First Aid exist in other countries?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, Mental Health First Aid started in Australia and to date has been adapted and delivered in over 30 countries including: England, Bermuda, Cambodia, Canada, China, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, Wales, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, United States and France.<\/p>\n\t

2. Course content, duration and timetable<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\tWhat does the standard Mental Health First Aid course include?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The standard Mental Health First Aid course provides a basic understanding of mental disorders and practical measures to be applied in the event of a crisis or problem situation. Participants learn about the most common disorders (depression, anxiety, psychosis, addiction), how to recognise a crisis and how to intervene by following an action plan. Practical exercises and role-playing help to anchor these skills in concrete terms.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tHow long does a Mental Health First Aid course last?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The standard Mental Health First Aid course lasts 12 hours, divided into four modules of 3 hours each. The PSSM Youth course consists of 4 modules of 3.5 hours each and the PSSM Teen course consists of 3 modules of 100 minutes each.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tDo I have to complete the entire course to receive my diploma?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

If you register for a course, you will need to complete all 4 modules of that course in order to obtain the\u00a0diploma in mental health first aid. Please note that we do not offer make-up courses. A total absence of one hour is tolerated.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tIs there a final exam?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

No<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tWill I receive a certificate of participation?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, each participant receives a Mental Health First Aid diploma after completing the 4 modules of the course. After completing the course, you will receive an email with a link to our training management platform to complete the course satisfaction form. Once completed, you will be able to download your diploma from the training management platform.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tWill I receive any materials or documentation after the Mental Health First Aid course?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, during the Mental Health First Aid course, you will receive a manual. The handbook is issued either at the beginning of the 1st module, at the beginning of the 2nd module or at the beginning of the 3rd module if the course runs over two consecutive days. It includes key information covered during the course, practical tools for intervening, if necessary, as well as additional resources to deepen your knowledge.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tCan I obtain a manual without taking part in the course?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

No. Manuals are provided exclusively to participants during PSSM courses.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tIs it possible to take distance learning courses?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, some courses are given online in the form of webinars.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tIn what languages are Mental Health First Aid courses taught?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Mental Health First Aid Standard is available in Luxembourgish or German, English and French. Youth and Teen courses are available in Luxembourgish or German and French.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tHow many people can take part in a Mental Health First Aid course?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

This is at the instructor’s discretion up to a maximum number of 20 people. However, we recommend a group size of between 8 and 20 people.<\/p>\n\t

3. Target audience and registration<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\tWho should attend the Mental Health First Aid course?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

This programm is aimed at a wide audience, with no specific prerequisites, as its objective is to raise awareness and train non-professionals to recognise the signs of mental distress and intervene appropriately.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tWho can become a mental health first aider?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Anyone can become a first aider.<\/p>\n

From the age of 18, you can enroll on the PSSM Standard and PSSM Youth courses.<\/p>\n

For young people aged 15-16 to 18, PSSM Teen courses are available at some secondary schools.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tWhere can I register for a Mental Health First Aid course?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

To register for a Mental Health First Aid course, consult our list of courses<\/a> or contact your municipality to find out whether courses are organised there. Your employer may also offer courses for staff, so don’t hesitate to ask.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tWhen will I receive my invoice for registering for a Mental Health First Aid course?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Each participant will receive an invoice from the Ligue Sant\u00e9 Mentale approximately 4 weeks before the start of the course. The invoice must be paid within 30 days.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tCan I withdraw from a Mental Health First Aid course?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, you can cancel your enrolment. Please note, however, that registration fees are non-refundable in the event of cancellation or absence from a course.<\/p>\n\t

4. Organisation and pricing of courses<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\tWho organises Mental Health First Aid courses?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Mental Health First Aid courses are organised by the Service Pr\u00e9vention et Formation of the Ligue Sant\u00e9 Mentale asbl, the sole holder in Luxembourg of the MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) International licence. MHFA International is an Australian certification awarded to non-profit organisations able to meet various quality, sustainability and comprehensiveness criteria. Since its launch, the MHFA programme has expanded to many countries, adapting its content to the cultural contexts and specific needs of different populations.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tWho can give Mental Health First Aid courses?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Only instructors trained and certified by the Ligue Sant\u00e9 Mentale can give Mental Health First Aid courses.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tHow much does a Mental Health First Aid course cost?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Standard course, open to individuals, costs \u20ac27, while the Youth course costs \u20ac31. Kulturpass holders pay only \u20ac1.50. Holders of the European Youth Card can take classes free of charge.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tHow much does a Mental Health First Aid course cost for a company or association?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

A Mental Health First Aid course for a company or organisation costs \u20ac2,700 (Standard course) \/ \u20ac3,100 (Youth course). If the organisation has its own in-house trainer, it pays only for the manuals purchased from the Ligue Sant\u00e9 Mentale (\u20ac54 Standard \/ \u20ac62 Youth).<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tCan companies and associations organise their own Mental Health First Aid courses for their employees? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, companies and organisations can offer Mental Health First Aid courses for their employees. They have two options: they can either ask the Ligue Sant\u00e9 Mentale to provide a course using one of its qualified instructors, or they can train an “in-house” instructor within their organisation, who can then give the courses directly to their employees.<\/p>\n\t

5. Becoming a PSSM instructor<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\tWho can become a Mental Health First Aid instructor?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Anyone who has already completed a PSSM course and has a sound knowledge of mental disorders can become an instructor. In addition to these skills, it is crucial to master the teaching techniques needed to pass on this knowledge in an effective and engaging way.<\/p>\n

The requirements for applying are as follows:<\/p>\n