Dr. Marcus Böhm on being an MHFA (Interview)
What is the Mental Health First Aid Program at the FSU?
Imagine someone cuts their finger. You put a band-it on it, right?! But what if someone needs help with their mental health?
We do first-help in the form of structured confidential in-person conversations. In concrete, mental health first aiders are always available via email and phone – for everyone from students to professors!
It is ok that other people don’t feel happy and you have to be aware that you are the person in that moment to be fully present and to support them.
People come WHEN THEY need help. We arrange individual meetings and talk about any topics that are important for the people who come to
us. We are there to activate resources for the people and support them on the track to find professional help if needed.
To do so, we and I are trained by people who were educated by the Central Institute for Mental Health in Mannheim (Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit). We are also
there to work against the stigmatization of mental health issues.
How did you hear about the MHFA Program at the FSU?
I joined in 2022 right in the aftermath of Corona. I received my training still outside of the university during the early days of MHFA at the FSU. A colleague introduced me to the program and that it is in the process of being established at FSU. I saw the necessity for mental support for many people, especially after Corona times.
What made you join and become a First Aider?
I was in the middle of my PhD and I felt that the baseline stress sometimes demanded a huge part of my resilience. Consequently, others may feel the same or probably worse. I thought to myself, what can be done? It would be great if there were people who could support others, and I like to be there for others.
We all have comparable tasks as PhD students, but people are just different. In addition, stress in your private life can influence your professional work and vice versa. Sometimes it’s just too much and it doesn’t work anymore.
Can anyone become a MHFA?
Yes and no. Of course, everyone can become a first aider. You need a general empathy for people and the ability to ‘walk in someone else’s shoes’. You need the ability to keep the balance of a healthy distance to the topics discussed, and the problems of people.
Very important is that you can accept that other people have the right to feel bad. It is ok that other people don’t feel happy and you have to be aware that you are the person in that moment to be fully present and to support them.
Do you think the training is sufficient? What surprised you?
The training was very good. It made me aware of what kind of mental health patterns and stress factors are out there. It gives you a structured awareness and sensibility or
compassion for people. Raising awareness of mental health issues is absolutely essential during training, and empathy can probably also be a learning process.
However, it needs to be emphasized that we are not therapists, but rather the first line of help. I like to say that I am a sponge for every emotion and topic of the person in front of me. There is a fine line, we don’t give advice but help to find the next step and give support.
Fur thermore, intervisions and supervisions are organized to support the first aiders.
How and where can I find the First Aiders?
The FSU has a website with the team of official first aiders, their contact details and the languages they can communicate in. The team changes four times a year to distribute and organize the workload. Additionally, the JSMC has its own first aiders that are on the JSMC website too.
We are not therapists, but rather the first line of help I like to say that I am a sponge for every emotion and topic of the person in front of me. There is a fine line, we don’t
give advice but help to find the next step and give support.
We know you can’t give details, but maybe you can share with us if you have been contacted so far?
Yes, I got contacted by about 7 people within the last 2 years because of various reasons that were a burden for those affected. We met several times to discuss their topics, but I cannot give more details here.
It is sad that the program is needed but it is also a way for broadening your horizon, to give you new perspectives of persons and teach you to be open and self-aware.