Modular structure
How do I become an ensa instructor?
1) Application
The first step to becoming an ensa instructor is to apply. You can find the requirements and the possibility to apply here.
2) Get to know each other
After your application has been reviewed, you will be invited to an interview. This takes place online and usually lasts 40-60 minutes. The aim of the interview is to get to know each other and to clarify any open questions. At the latest 1-2 weeks after this interview, you will find out whether you have been accepted for the training.
3) Basic day
The one-day Basic day is the start of the ensa instructor training. It is attended by all candidates, regardless of whether the training is focus youth or adults. The basic day provides administrative and methodological-didactic knowledge for the planning and implementation of ensa courses as well as background knowledge on Mental Health First Aid.
4) Training Mental Health First Aid: focus Adults
In the two-day training, you will learn the content of the ensa course Mental Health First Aid: focus Adults in more depth and practise teaching it to a group of up to 20 adults.
4) Training Mental Health First Aid: focus Youth
In the three-day training, you will get to know the content of the ensa course Mental Health First Aid: focus Youth in more depth and practise communicating it to a group of up to 20 adults.
5) Assessment
The one-day assessment consists first of all of a written open book exam, which is taken one week before the assessment. The main part of the assessment is the presentation of a 35-minute excerpt of the first aid course Focus Adult or Youth. After successfully passing the assessment, you are a prospective instructor. Prospective instructors can gain initial experience in tandem with experienced instructors.
6) Certification
After you have gained some experience in leading ensa courses as a prospective instructor and feel confident in leading ensa courses on your own, you can get certified. During the certification process, your skills will be assessed by an ensa trainer within a course you are giving. The evaluation of the ensa trainer as well as the feedback of the course participants are decisive for the certification. After passing the exam, you are qualified as an experienced ensa instructor to lead courses on your own.
Trained - and then?
For quality assurance purposes, ensa instructors are required to undergo ongoing training. In the form of further training on professional or didactic topics as well as intervision meetings, ensa instructors have the opportunity to continuously improve their skills.
Furthermore, ensa instructors (whether prospective or experienced) have the possibility to be trained for other types of courses (e.g. Training: First Aid Coversations for Managers). To do so, they must have attended the relevant course as a participant and have prior knowledge of the course type. The Basic day and the assessment are not required.
Prices
Modules are paid for individually or as a lump sum. The prices for the respective options are shown in the list below. These prices include meals as well as teaching materials.
Individual modules
| Modules | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic day (incl. costs for application and administrative expense) | 1 day | CHF 800.- |
| Training: Mental Health First Aid: focus Adults | 2 days | CHF 1'300.- |
| Training: Mental Health First Aid: focus Youth | 3 days | CHF 1'800.- |
| Assessment* (incl. admission to the system) | 1 day | CHF 1'000.-** |
| Certification | 1/2 day | CHF 300.- |
| Training: First Aid Coversations for Managers | 1 day | CHF 580.- |
| Training: ensa Refresher: focus Adults | 1 day | CHF 580.- |
| Training: First Aid Conversations about Suicide | 1 day | CHF 580.- |
| Training: First Aid Conversations about Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) | 1 day | CHF 580.- |
| Further education | variable | variable |
*A one-time exam retake in case of failure is free of charge.
**CHF 700.- for people who are already ensa Teens instructors.
Package offers
| Modules | Price |
|---|---|
| Training: focus Adults incl. Basic-Day incl. Training: Mental Health First Aid: focus Adults incl. Assessment excl. Certification |
CHF 2'900.- (instead of CHF 3'100.-) |
| Training: focus Youth incl. Basic-Day incl. Training: Mental Health First Aid: focus Youth incl. Assessment excl. Certification |
CHF 3'400.- (instead of CHF 3'600.-) |
Payment
If the all-inclusive offer is booked, cancellation and repayment of partial services is excluded. The costs of the package offer as well as the assessment and all other costs are to be paid irrespective of the examination result. No refund will be made due to failure. After confirmation, the invoice will be sent 4 weeks before the start of the training. Cancellations received 3 weeks or less before the start of the course are subject to a fee. 8-21 days before the start of the course 50% of the individual course price, 4-7 days before the start of the course 75% of the price of the individual course and 1-3 days before the start of the course: 100% of the price of the individual course.
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Who can become an ensa instructor?
keyboard_arrow_downTo become an ensa instructor, you need an ensa first aid certificate Focus Adult or Focus Youth, an open attitude towards people with mental illness, and proven experience in adult education. In addition, you should have a connection to mental illness, either professionally or through personal experience. Furthermore, you will need to lead ensa first aid courses on a regular basis and be willing to plan and organize them independently. -
How do I become an ensa instructor?
keyboard_arrow_downIf you have attended the ensa first aid course Focus Adult or Youth and have the necessary prerequisites, you can apply for the ensa instructor training. To do so, submit a short CV and the application form describing why you are suitable for the training. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to clarify your open questions about the ensa training and the ensa teaching profession in a personal online interview. If your application is accepted, you will first participate in the basic training day. This will be followed by the ensa first aid course focus adults or ensa first aid course focus youth. You choose the respective ensa focus according to your personal knowledge and interests. Finally, you will prove your skills in an ensa assessment. As soon as you have passed this assessment, you are a prospective ensa instructor. -
Is there an exam?
keyboard_arrow_downYes, between the ensa first aid course Focus Adults or ensa first aid course Focus Youth and the ensa exam, there is a written exam in open form. The result of the written exam is included in the evaluation of the ensa assessment. The exam consists of a 20-minute presentation of the ensa first aid course Focus Adults or the ensa first aid course Focus Youth in front of a group and two ensa trainers. The ensa trainers assess whether you have the necessary skills to lead an ensa course.