Mental Health
Being mentally healthy means working sucessfully!
To keep you as employees of the University of Bremen enduringly healthy, the Workplace Health Management (WHM) employs a range of measures that maintain and promote your well-being and performance.
Because being mentally healthy has a great impact on your efficiency in your professional and private life.
Eventually you will be able to boost your creativity and concentration and achieve more.
On this Website you will find tips and strategies on how to manage your everyday working routines in a healthy and successful way. The content is the result of a collaborative project between the Welcome Center, BYRD and Techniker Krankenkasse.
The workshop series "Strategies, Motivation and Health" with Dr. Nadine Binder continues. On the flyer you will find the topics, dates and access data.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
We at the University of Bremen have decided... To date, 86 staff members have been trained as MHFA first aiders since November 2023. These staff members are available to talk to you.
You can find the list of certified, active MHFA mental health first aiders here.
Was ist Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)?
The MHFA First Aider Approach
More than 40 per cent of the German population will experience a mental health condition requiring treatment at least once in their lifetime. Although many people are affected, the subject still triggers uncertainty, prejudice and fear, which is why prevention and destigmatisation are so important in this area.
This is where the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) programme comes in. In the MHFA mental health first aid course, laypeople are trained as mental health first aiders over 12 hours.
In addition to theoretical knowledge, participants learn specific first aid measures for developing mental health problems and acute mental health crises, which are reinforced through practical exercises.
MHFA is a global educational initiative in which over four million first aiders have already been trained. MHFA was established in Australia in 2000 and has been regularly evaluated by researchers ever since: it is scientifically proven that the MHFA First Aider course improves knowledge of mental health, reduces stigmatising behaviour, boosts confidence in one’s own ability to help, and strengthens one’s own mental health.
The global vision of Mental Health First Aid is that mental health first aid should become as commonplace as first aid for physical health. As the University of Bremen, we fully support this vision!
You can find information on the MHFA evaluation here:
https://www.mhfa-ersthelfer.de/de/was-ist-mhfa/forschung/
MHFA first aiders – would you like to attend a training course?
Would you like to be able to provide straightforward first aid for mental health issues yourself, or become a point of contact in your professional environment? The University of Bremen offers MHFA courses to train first aiders in mental health issues.
Who can become an MHFA first aider?
In principle, all staff members at the University of Bremen can become MHFA first aiders. However, as the programme requires both time and financial resources, the initial focus will be on training staff members in advisory roles, and where applicable, teaching roles. These colleagues are in contact with a generally larger group of staff and students, meaning that the role of the first aider can be most effectively utilised at these points of contact.
How do I become an MHFA first aider?
The University trains first aiders in its own courses on campus, led by a qualified MHFA instructor. The courses take place over two sessions of six hours each. Places are limited. Depending on demand, these are allocated in consultation with Human Resources Development/Occupational Health Management. Allocation is based, among other things, on a strategic, sensible and as broad as possible distribution across the various departments.
Current MHFA courses
When is the next course taking place?
We are delighted that our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training programme at the University of Bremen has been so well received and that we have already trained nearly 100 colleagues. This means we have now achieved our training target.
The University of Bremen’s Health Promotion Office is not currently offering any further MHFA courses.
Mental Health First Aid – How can I get support?
Have you been feeling down, anxious or unsettled for some time? Are you suffering from persistent stress and feel mentally and physically burnt out? The University of Bremen’s MHFA first-aid team, which is currently being set up, will in future be able to offer you initial support for mental health issues.
As of November 2023, 36 colleagues have already been trained as MHFA first aiders. These colleagues are happy to be available for a chat.
What does an MHFA session offer?
The sessions are strictly confidential, easily accessible, can take place as soon as possible and are intended as a short-term support service. The first aiders are trained listeners who can offer guidance, so that by the end of the conversation you will ideally have developed a plan together for how to proceed. The focus is primarily on providing support and immediate assistance, but also on information about specific support services on campus or in the local area, as well as referring you to professional contacts if needed.
What does an MHFA conversation not offer?
First aid conversations do not constitute psychotherapy and are therefore not intended as a long-term solution. No diagnoses or treatment plans are drawn up.
Where can I find an MH first aider?
You can find the list of trained, active first aiders here.
Press and media reports on MHFA courses at the university
YUFE reports on the MHFA training at the University of Bremen. Read the article
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Techniker Krankenkasse for its financial support of the MH first aid courses.
Strategies, Motivation, Health
Structure and Breaks
Working from home is a challenge, especially when it comes to structuring work processes. What is a sensible structure and how important are breaks?
Learn more about a structured working day and a relaxing break design.
Inner Allies
We all have an inner team of voices within us. If we manage to organize these voices as our own team leader, we can control our own behavior in critical situations.
Learn more about strategies to prevent inner critical voices.
Boundaries
The boundaries between work and leisure are very important for a good work-life balance. How can healthy boundaries between work and private life be based on my personal preferences and needs and how can I promote it?
More information on building boundaries between work and leisure.
New Perspectives
A conscious change of perspective can help to break through habitual patterns of thought and behavior and thus receive suggestions for questions of reflection that help you to actively take on new perspectives.
Gratitude
Practicing gratitude has a major impact on people's mental and physical health. A positive attitude, for example, leads to more stress resistance and can thus have a positive effect on the work mentality.
Online Tools for Stress Management
Stress-Test
How stressed am I?
The stress test of the PsyGA project for managers and employees can help you to make an initial assessment.
Click on the picture to go to the test (German)
"No Stress with the Stress"
An online offer for managers and employees from the PsyGA project of the New Quality of Work initiative
For Managers
E-Learning-Tool: "Psychological health promotion as a leadership task"
No Stress with the Stress - A practical Guide for Managers
For Employees
How are you ?
Talking about mental health is worthwhile! The campaign "How are you?" from Switzerland raises awareness and provides very concrete tips for conversations and gives impulses for the psyche
Further links to counselling and support services for students and staff
To provide staff and students with the best possible support in maintaining their mental health, the University of Bremen offers a wide range of counselling and support services. The link below provides a list of contact details for local support services, organised by different situations and issues.
https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/university/campus/mental-health