"The training offered by tomoni has raised my awareness in the long term: I now walk through the school much more 'awake' and feel ready to approach students if I notice signs of mental illness in their behavior. The fear of doing something wrong has been taken away, especially through the recommendations for action, as I now know how to both seek and conduct the conversation and that it differs depending on the suspected illness." (Sophia, teacher, secondary school)
"Thank you for this entire training series. I feel really enriched, less insecure in this area, and optimistic that I can apply what I've learned when the situation calls for it." (Sarah, teacher, secondary school)
"tomoni's training is great and serves a critical function in identifying and supporting students with mental health issues. The content of the various modules is evidence-based and particularly relevant to daily practice, the trainers are professional and experienced, and the format (live virtual training) provides a great opportunity to share experiences with all participants - something for which there is unfortunately often little time in the hectic day-to-day practice. tomoni amply fills this gap. I left each module feeling inspired, energized, and connected, and can wholeheartedly recommend the training to anyone working with children and youth." (Edward, School Psychologist, Secondary School)
"What I particularly liked about the training program was that the modules were conducted by people affected by the disease. This gave me a lot of valuable insights. In addition, everyone responded intensively to the participants' questions and took as much time as was necessary." (Silvia, teacher, elementary school)
"When I started working in the school system, I didn't realize how big of an issue mental health was. In my everyday work, I find it alarming how many children and young people struggle with various issues. tomoni.schools helps us at school counselors very much not only to better recognize early signs of mental disorders, but above all to then do something concrete. Therefore, I remain positive because I have the feeling that 'something is happening' and a change in thinking is increasingly taking place." (Sebastian, school social worker, secondary school)
"tomoni offers a great range of online trainings on different aspects of mental stress and illnesses in schoolgirls. Through the online trainings it was possible for me to participate from Rhineland-Palatinate as well. I not only got to know facts about different mental illnesses, but really also recommendations for action that really help me in my everyday work with my students and give me a certain security in such cases. Since the aspect of mental illnesses in students is neglected in my studies and in my traineeship, I think it's great that tomoni offers this series of trainings. I can recommend it to all teachers, because they are entertaining and can be self-scheduled." (Lisa, teacher, secondary school)
"Both modules were very well prepared. The content structure was stringent and easy to follow without being overwhelming. There was a lot of information, some of which was repeated , but then in new references, so that a consolidation of what was learned is supported. The facilitators are very friendly and careful in their language, especially when it comes to contributions from the participants. There is no judging, but rather an understanding way of responding to the contribution of words." (Benedikt, principal, elementary school)

For teachers

Teachers and school counselors bear a great responsibility in fulfilling their duty of care towards the children and adolescents entrusted to them. tomoni mental health would like to encourage and support them in this responsibility. For this reason, we have developed a digital training program together with those affected, scientists and educators: tomoni.schools.

tomoni.schools is an interactive training program especially for teachers and school counselors on the early detection of mental illness in students. The offer can now be booked online throughout Germany.

We have started with an offer for secondary schools, an independent offer for primary school teachers is in preparation. 
In the development of tomoni.schools, tomoni was advised by the Scientific Advisory Board, the Educational Advisory Board and the game.changers, a group of committed and partly affected young people. From the fourth quarter of 2023, the offer will be scientifically evaluated by the University Hospital of Würzburg.  

Why does tomoni.schools exist?
"The first signs of 75 percent of all mental illnesses already show up during school. With the help of tomoni.schools, teachers are empowered to recognize these and act accordingly," explains Alix Puhl, who founded the non-profit company together with her husband Oliver in June 2022. 

tomoni.schools is intended to support teachers and all those working in an advisory capacity at schools in recognizing warning signs of mental illness at an early stage and in being able to provide initial assistance to affected children and young people. The focus is on recognizing the signs of mental illness and dealing appropriately and purposefully with those affected and their environment. Situations from everyday school life are addressed: How do I approach young people about whom I am concerned? How do I react in acute crisis situations? Who do I refer to when I recognize warning signs? How do I involve the parents of affected children and adolescents? Where do I bear responsibility as a teacher and where does it end? 

Two groups of lecturers are used to teach tomoni.schools: 

  • "Experts of Science (EdW)": psychologists interested in prevention before and after completing their studies as well as during and after psychotherapist training; 
  • "Experts of Everyday Life (EdA)": Individuals with their own experience of mental illness on a stable treatment pathway. 

UKW will evaluate the effectiveness of both groups separately. 

tomoni.schools for teachers at secondary schools 
tomoni.schools for secondary school teachers consists of eight modules, each lasting 90 minutes, and takes place live on Zoom. Beginning with the basics of mental illness, the modules address eating disorder, anxiety disorder, addiction, depression, self-injurious behavior, and suicidality. The module on parental interviewing concludes the program. After attending all eight modules, participants receive a certificate of participation. 

tomoni.schools for teachers at elementary schools 
A separate training program for teachers at elementary schools is in preparation. Again building on a basic module designed for elementary schools, it will address disorders that occur at elementary school age: oppositional behavior, anxiety and absenteeism, depression and adjustment disorders, and circumscribed developmental disorders. The module concludes with a module on how to talk to parents. 

Current status of use and feedback 
In the first quarter of 2023, 134 teachers from all types of schools (including students, trainee teachers, members of advisory and school management teams) as well as school social workers and school psychologists have already participated in tomoni.schools. 

Teachers appreciate tomoni.schools: 

  • The program is designed to be interactive. 
  • The central element of the teaching is the internal view of those affected. 
  • Exercises, visualizations and role plays are an integral part. 
  • Participants have the opportunity to ask questions, also about current cases. 
  • Possibility of cross-school, cross-city and cross-state collegial exchange. 
  • Content and language are recipient-oriented, and the focus is on practical relevance to the school. 

A former participant describes her experience with tomoni.schools: "I am convinced that you are making a difference with tomoni. The inspiration you give us teachers with the trainings, the school of vision and the support you give us with the tips are a huge element. Sometimes, though, it may be the little things. Example: yesterday I was breathing with a student who was having a panic attack. We have a talk appointment on Monday." (S., teacher, advisory team member, secondary school) 

Your participation 
Continuing education courses take place on an ongoing basis. Our offer is available to all teachers and school counselors as well as students. tomoni.schools starts with the basic module for you. To register once and reserve your participation in the basic module, please click on the date that suits you best. After creating your tomoni.schools account, you will be able to select your dates for the other modules there in the future, also spread over a longer period of time, adapted to your own time planning. 

In the phase of preparing the scientific evaluation we can offer tomoni.schools free of charge. After registration, you will receive a voucher code by e-mail, which you use when checking out. The following rebooking and cancellation rules are also valid during the evaluation preparation phase. 

Up to 48 hours before the start of a module, rebookings and cancellations are possible for you free of charge. To do so, log in to your tomoni.schools account. Please understand that for cancellations and rebookings after this deadline, we will have to charge EUR 35.00 for the module. 

Please send any questions to social@tomonimentalhealth.org. 

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May 2023
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