On March 11, 2026, the recruitment of university staff for the Mental Health First Aid Program was closed. The program is aimed at individuals who have regular contact with students, graduate students, and other staff members.
The training was created by members of the WP4 YUFE (Staff Journey) group, which is aimed at improving professional skills as part of the YUFE Staff Development Program. On behalf of NCU, Urszula Walenczak is responsible for organizing WP4 activities.
20 people will take part in the training at the University of Bremen on May 19–21, including two representatives from UMK, chosen by a committee from our University led by Magdalena Barwiołek, Vice Rector for International Relations.
Many people suffer from mental health issues, yet the topic still provokes prejudice. Preventive measures and destigmatization are therefore very important. During the training, participants will learn not only to recognize the warning signs of a mental health crisis but also to respond in an empathetic and responsible way, providing support to those in need.
The goal of the program is to acquire psychological first aid skills—that is, to support people in crisis. It is essential to remember that psychological first aid is an important first step, but it is not a substitute for professional healthcare.
In the program, attendees will learn, among other things:
- how to encourage a person in crisis to seek help from a specialist,
- how to activate additional support resources
- how to engage in supportive and safe conversation,
- how to spot early signs of mental health issues.
The course provides both theoretical knowledge and practical tools, as well as teaching new communication strategies that can be applied in everyday academic work. It is an excellent way to improve one’s skills and confidence in situations where others need emotional and psychological support.