Training course "First Things First - from a mental health perspective" in Estonia

In the end of May training course about mental health took place in south of Estonia in Setomaa.

In the training participants learned to value and support the physical, mental and emotional health of themselves and those around them by applying emotional-cognitive skills, appropriate communication methods and methods to support understanding and maintaining motivation of emotions. 

Project aimed of recognizing behaviours and important risk factors, indicating some mental health problems, using the basic steps of the mental health first aid action plan to first support the person in case of mental health problems.  

Days were full of learning and busy gaining new practical skills. Weather in Estonia was benevolent this time, offering us hot, unordinary weather. Spring with fresh and blooming nature helped along the positive effect on mental health. Not to mention the evening activities where participants contibuted to the activities leading themselves. 

Due the small group participants bonded very well. There was no shame to talk about difficult topics and sharing individual's own experience, even if sometimes it might have hurt. Program was combined well, there was balance in theoretical and practical parts. Space for individual and group thoughts. And which is most important, everyone left with head full of ideas and methods to keep their mental health balanced for themselves and people who surround them! 

As a result of the training, the participants had the competence to apply basic self-help techniques to support his or her mental health and to provide initial support and information to those in need with mental health concerns.