Stress, pressure to perform, loneliness – the challenges of everyday student life are manifold and often invisible. For some, the strain can become too much. On the initiative of THWS's health management team, employees have been trained in mental health first aid (MHFA).
Published on 23 July 2025
Providing mental health first aid: that is the goal of MHFA. The aim of this concept is to train people who have little previous knowledge of mental health. They learn how to provide first aid to people with mental health problems. And these are becoming increasingly common, as stress and pressure to perform in everyday student life take their toll. As trained contact persons, MHFA can support students in difficult moments and provide them with guidance. These courses for THWS employees were initiated by Professor Dr. Silke Neuderth and Professor Dr. Rebecca Löbmann. The psychologists launched the Student Health Management programme in 2022. It became clear how useful it is to involve staff and lecturers in the overall concept – in other words, the people who have the most contact with students, whether in lectures or in the library, for example.
Training for employees
When the opportunity to take part in an MHFA course became known, many employees quickly expressed interest. "It really struck a chord," recalls Professor Dr. Löbmann. Ultimately, around 50 THWS employees took part in the course in 2023.
Monika Hahn works with the Academic Advisory Service. Mental health is becoming increasingly important in society, she says. Her interest in the course was immediately piqued. Precisely because young people go through a lot in their lives during their studies, first having to settle in and find their way, she believes it is important to prepare university staff for mental health crises.
A course consists of six units, each lasting two hours. The main goal is "not to shy away when you notice that something is wrong with someone else," explains Professor Dr. Löbmann. It is important to be attentive, to dare to talk to people, and not to be afraid of doing so, adds Professor Dr. Neuderth.
During the course, participants learn from practical examples how to behave in specific situations and how best to approach those affected. The examples deal with common disorders and illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Monika Hahn particularly liked the fact that medical background knowledge was also imparted.
An important part of the course is a conversation technique known as the R.O.G.E.R. principle:
R = Respond: address, assess, understand O = Open and unbiased listening and communication G = Give support and information E = Encourage professional help R = Reactivate resources
Monika Hahn has already used this principle as a guideline several times when talking to students. "I feel that I am now better equipped when I go into such conversations," she emphasises. Looking back, the course participants would benefit from attending the course not only in their professional lives, but also in their private lives, explains Professor Dr. Neuderth. After all, people who are struggling with problems are everywhere. "It's a relief for you when you have the tools and strategies at your disposal to address issues," explains the psychologist. For Monika Hahn, it was precisely this awareness that brought great added value: "Being able to approach people openly and not feel helpless from the outset."
Professor Dr. Silke Neuderth believes that employee participation in the course also has an impact on the atmosphere at THWS. This is because it trains people to be more sensitive to those with mental health issues. By engaging intensively with mental health, employees can develop a better understanding of the challenges faced by those affected. This results in a more open and prejudice-free atmosphere at THWS. Professor Dr. Neuderth emphasises that during the sensitive developmental phase that young adults experience during their studies, there is still a lot that can be positively influenced.
In which cases can students contact the MHFAs?
Specifically, students can contact the mental health first aiders (MHFAs) if they need help in acute crisis situations or with mental health challenges. Feelings such as stress, overwhelm, and self-doubt are not uncommon while studying. Acute stress, such as bereavement, family problems, or other worries that weigh on the mind – the MHFAs act as contact points for all these problems. The contact details of some MHFAs can be found on the Student Health Management website. When students talk openly about their worries and problems with a trained confidant, these individuals can support them. They listen, give advice, and can help them access further help.
What are the plans for the future?
Even after successfully completing the course, the trained first aiders continued to show great interest in the topic of mental health. Professor Dr. Rebecca Löbmann and Professor Dr. Silke Neuderth meet with them regularly. These meetings are an opportunity to refresh their knowledge, learn strategies for dealing with stressed fellow human beings, and exchange experiences with counselling situations. In addition, the two psychologists repeatedly explore specific topics in greater depth or introduce new ones that were not covered or only touched upon in the courses.
In 2023, the courses were financed by residual funds from study grants. Therefore, they cannot (yet) be offered on a regular basis. Nevertheless, the two professors are working on further offerings: "The University Hospital of Würzburg now offers a kind of shorter MHFA course – it is called EMG course (Erste Hilfe mentale Gesundheit)," explains Professor Dr. Neuderth. This course is shorter and focuses on the most common disorders and illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies. She and her colleague hope to establish a partnership with the University Hospital for this purpose.
In addition, the two professors plan to create offers for members of the student council. This is another key area, as these students would take on a kind of mentoring role, explains Professor Dr. Neuderth. This initiative is supported by the Vogel Foundation.
Addressing mental health issues changes the climate at a university. Initiatives such as the MHFA courses promote mutual appreciation. THWS Chancellor Stefan Hartmann emphasises the importance of the project: "We are delighted to support the Mental Health First Aider training, as we are convinced that promoting the mental health of our students and staff is of crucial importance." The initiative strengthens the commitment to a supportive and mindful university environment.
