Education professionals are generally familiar with how to respond to physical accidents. However, dealing with psychological distress is far less straightforward, which is why specific training courses have been offered in various establishments for several years.

Within the network of so-called historic or traditional European schools, the matter was made a priority under the Latvian Presidency. Luxembourg I, the first European School founded in 1953, has taken a leading role in this area. As Caroll Lemarié, Deputy Head of Secondary Education, explained, the school decided to offer mental health first aid training to all teaching staff, assistants, educational advisers and administrative employees who are in contact with pupils. The initiative was originally proposed by the Parents’ Association, which suggested enrolling some members of staff in an initial training course.

‘We address depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, eating disorders, and addictions’

Following the success of the initial training, the decision was taken to extend the programme to all members of staff. The method was originally developed in Australia and later adapted by teams from the Ministry of Health and the Mental Health League. Elisabeth Steinmetz, a clinical psychologist at the Mental Health League, explained that the Youth Mental Health First Aid course teaches adults how to support young people experiencing psychological distress. The training covers conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, eating disorders and addictions. Participants also learn how, as mental health first aiders, to recognise early warning signs of distress and the symptoms of these disorders in young people.

The action plan at the heart of the training is called ROGER:

R – reactO – offer non-judgmental listeningG – guideE – encourage seeking professional helpR– reinforce other available resources to support the young person in distress

Elisabeth Steinmetz continues: “Beyond the common mental disorders we address in the course, we also discuss crises, particularly suicidal crises and self-harm. We cover psychotic crises as well. The need or demand has always been there. Difficult situations among young people have always existed. So this isn’t something new. However, I think that nowadays, we talk about it much more. It’s much more present in the media and on social networks. That’s a big difference. Young people also face more pressure than perhaps 10 or 20 years ago, and this also impacts their mental health.”

‘We sometimes see some very worrying behaviour’

For those taking part in the training, the benefits are clear. Jesús Coll Marmol, assistant to the deputy head at the secondary school, said that staff spend the whole day with students and often notice behaviour that can be unusual or worrying. He explained that being able to recognise these signs is the key, and that this is precisely what makes the training so valuable.

Julie Boulet, an educational counsellor, added that young people, particularly adolescents, are among the groups most affected by mental health issues. She said it is therefore very important for adults in schools, as important figures in pupils’ daily lives, to be able to offer the appropriate support.

With significant steps being taken by the Luxembourg I European School for its students, the school may be setting a blueprint for the other twelve European schools in its network to follow.