General information
Who can become an instructor?
The preconditions are an ensa first aider certificate, an open attitude towards people suffering from mental health issues, the readiness to conduct at least three ensa first aid courses a year, plus teaching experience and good communication skills. A broad knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatment would be an advantage, as would personal or professional experience with mental health disorders.
How do I become an instructor?
You are already an ensa first aider. You present your suitability in an application form and submit it to the Pro Mente Sana foundation along with a brief CV via the contact form on this website. If your application is accepted, you will be trained by trainers of the Pro Mente Sana Foundation. The training lasts five days. In the first three-day part the subject matter and respective basics will be conveyed to you. Furthermore the agreement with Pro Mente Sana as a licence holder will be discussed. In the second part you will take the practical exam during two days. After passing the exam you complete three ensa courses as a prospective instructor together with an experienced ensa instructor. If you prove yourself in these three courses you will receive the yearly partner agreement, the instructor certificate and the instructor. You are thus entitled to conduct ensa first aid courses and receive your personal log-in on ensa.swiss in order to advertise and manage your own courses.
What happens, if I do not fully attend the training?
In order to be admitted to the ensa instructor exam an attendance of 90% is required during training. There are no catch-up dates intended.
What is the instructor agreement?
The instructor agreement is a contract between the Pro Mente Sana Foundation and every ensa instructor. It settles rights and duties, such as licence and attendance fees, the minimum number of ensa first aid courses per year, the use of original course material, the safeguarding of copyrights and the course administration by ensa swiss.
You can sign an agreement as an independently or not independently active instructor. Depending on the agreement you are entitled to conduct courses for companies, non-profit organisations or the broader public.
What does the instructor training cost?
The 5-day training to obtain the instructor certificate is offered at an all-inclusive price. It includes extensive training on the content and didactics of the course by qualified ensa trainers. Included are meals (including lunch), oral and written exams and teaching materials. Costs: CHF 2'900 (online training: CHF 2'200)
Is there a final exam?
Yes, a practical exam. It consists of teaching a part of the ensa first aid course.
What fees do I incur as an ensa instructor?
The instructors pay an annual fee of CHF 200 to the Pro Mente Sana Foundation. This fee also entitles them to use the ensa course platform. On this platform, the instructors can advertise ensa first aid courses and manage the administration of their participants. The payment of the ensa course by the course participants also runs via this platform. In addition, the instructor can find the teaching material and updates in the personal login area.