May Newsletter: A new book on mental first aid – and a visit to Briksen

A new book on mental first aid – and a visit to Briksen

The book is out – and you’ll get a 20 % discount

Dear reader,

It is published today A Primer on Mental Health First Aid and Crisis Management in Cases of Cumulative and Acute Stress – Understanding, Preventing and Managing Mental Health Crises – Letting the Community Heal. The book brings together both established knowledge and new insights – from the Pyramid of Help and peer support to the ‘lift phenomenon’, neurodiversity, luck and misfortune, humour, and the Catch-22 of professional identity. As a loyal subscriber to this newsletter, we’d like to give you a free chapter of the book.

> Get your free chapter here

You’ll also get 20 % discount when you buy the book up until 9 May 2025. And with warm regards to Svend Brinkmann – whom the book’s author recently visited at Briksen (see below) – the discount code is: SVEND

>> Buy the book here

>> Read more about the book here

Best regards,

Department of Occupational Psychology

From a themed day to 17 mental health first aiders

At the educational institution Learnmark Horsens, the focus on mental health first aid began with a theme day on the subject. The theme struck a chord with many – and the management subsequently decided to appoint 17 staff members as mental health first aiders.

“We could see that mental health first aid was something we needed to tackle proactively – not just as a topic for one day a year, but as part of our shared foundation,” says Maria Nielsen, Head of the Secretariat.

When everyone is on board – and the leadership role comes to the fore

At Odense Municipality, Ulla Leth, Head of Rehabilitation, takes a strategic approach to the basic courses in Stress Psychology and Psychological Well-being. And all staff members take part in these courses.

“It’s important to me that we have these conversations together – so that it becomes something everyone is familiar with,” says Ulla.

Catch-22: Why it can be difficult to accept support

The author’s reflections on the Catch-22 of professional identity.

“It really is a paradox. If I accept support, people – even myself – think I can’t cope with the job. If I don’t, they’ll be proved right.” This is how Rikke Høgsted sums up the dilemma facing many professionals.

>> Read more here

Listening tip: The institute’s founder has been on Brinkmann’s show

Rikke Høgsted was a guest yesterday on Svend Brinkmann’s programme ”Briks” on P1. Under the heading ’Is there a risk that seeking help could make things worse?’, they discussed mental first aid, the strength of the collegial community and the ‘lift phenomenon’.’ – the current tendency to jump straight to individual crisis support – without first making use of the resources available within the workplace community.

>> Listen to the conversation here

Prevention Tool of the Month: The Fisherman’s Bench

The Fisherman’s Bench is both a method and a place where, together with good colleagues, you can sit down to share and process some of the powerful impressions that are often associated with having a mentally high-risk job.

Read about Fiskerbænken – and hear the story of how the Christmas Truce on the Western Front during the First World War, and the concept of ‘trench brothers and sisters’, inspired this approach.

>> Read and listen along here

Book a free course demo

A demo gives you the opportunity to explore the various digital group courses that are part of the PREVENTION HOUSE. .

>> Read more here

Did you miss our latest newsletters?

>> Read the March 2025 newsletter here

>> Read the February 2025 newsletter here

>> Read the January 2025 newsletter here

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