Internal "I'm fine" campaign raises awareness of mental health
(Berlin, January 28, 2025) With the internal communication campaign "I'm fine", the pme Familienservice Group is sending a strong signal for more awareness and support for mental illness. The aim is to raise awareness of issues such as burnout, depression, anxiety disorders, suicidal tendencies and addictions among its own team members and to provide low-threshold help from trained first aiders.
Campaign sets an example for mental health in companies
Mental illnesses are often invisible and yet omnipresent:
"Many people suffer from symptoms such as listlessness, anxiety or emotional exhaustion - but they are rarely talked about," emphasizes pme Health & Campaign Initiator Michèle Penz, "with our campaign, we want to encourage all team members to take a closer look and give affected colleagues the feeling that they are not alone."
"First Aid Mental Health" is a further step towards a corporate culture that promotes openness and mindfulness. "By making the topic of mental health visible, we reduce potential fears of contact among team members and create an environment in which everyone can seek and find help," says Michèle Penz.
First aiders as trusted points of contact
At the heart of the initiative is a network of currently 14 trained first aiders who have completed the "Mental Health First Aid" training course run by pme Familienservice - in 12 hours of live online training plus e-learning. Further training courses are planned for 2025.
The first aiders are available across all locations as the first point of contact for employees who are experiencing symptoms themselves or who notice signs of psychological stress in colleagues. The discussions are strictly confidential and are held digitally or in person in a protected setting. The first responders offer initial guidance and support. If necessary, they can refer those affected to professional advice centers, such as psychologists and life situation coaches from pme Familienservice.
Measures as part of the campaign
To increase the visibility of the campaign within the company, posters for the more than 2,000 team members are now on display at all 70 locations and in the 90 childcare facilities. In addition, all first responders will receive door signs that identify them as contact persons on site, as well as digital badges that they can integrate into their Microsoft Teams profile pictures and thus identify them as first responders nationwide.
Further information on the campaign, training content and available support services can be found on the company intranet. Employees can also find additional materials on the topic of mental health here.
About the "Mental Health First Aid" training course
In the "Mental health first aid" multiplier training course, the pme Familienservice Group trains employees to become competent first aiders for psychological emergencies. In the 12 hours of live online training plus four hours of e-learning, participants are trained to recognize mental stress and understand the development of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders in themselves and their colleagues.
In addition to supporting those affected, the campaign places great emphasis on self-care: "Anyone who helps others must also be able to take care of themselves," says pme coach and first aid trainer Cara Isabella Limburger, who conducts the training courses, "which is why the training for first aiders includes not only techniques for conducting conversations, but also strategies for maintaining their own mental health."
Find out more about the "Mental Health First Aid" training course.
pme health: Effective BGM in blended learning format
Organizational consulting, GBU Psyche, BEM: Our occupational health management (OHM) services are characterized by their holistic and individual approach. From strategy development, needs analysis and implementation of measures through to evaluation, we establish, supplement and optimize companies' occupational health management portfolios in order to keep their employees healthy, productive and motivated.
The personal support of employees according to a new holistic mind-body & soul approach is one of our key factors and goes hand in hand with our blended learning concept. We combine digital and live formats to promote exercise, nutrition, stress prevention and mindfulness and make our knowledge available regardless of time and place.
