Multidisciplinary Training Programme 

Upper Austria: Wesenufer & Linz

22 September 2025 - 23 October 2025

  *Registration June 2025*  

The aim of this training programme is to promote a multidisciplinary approach to mental health support by equipping diverse professionals with the competencies needed to collaborate effectively across sectors. The training seeks to foster a shared understanding of mental health, enhance teamwork, and build capacity for integrated, person-centred care that addresses mental health challenges holistically. This training programme aims to create a cohesive, multidisciplinary network of professionals who can work together effectively to deliver comprehensive, person-centred mental health prevention and care that improves outcomes for individuals and communities

The national multidisciplinary training programme is organised in partnership with pro mente Upper Austria. pro mente Upper Austria provides 60 years of experience in caring and working for psychosocially disadvantaged people. With psychosocial support, in cooperation with clients and relatives, inclusion is promoted as participation in society. The aim is to enable disadvantaged people to have equal access in all areas of life.

The trainings in Austria are organised in-person and will be held in local language.

Core training

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

1. Develop Foundational Mental Health Competencies

• Apply foundational helping skills in mental health support, including active listening, non-verbal communication, empathy, de-escalation, and building rapport. 
• Demonstrate cultural and diversity awareness by adapting their approach to individuals from different cultural, age, gender, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Enhance mental health literacy, recognising key mental health concepts, common conditions, contributing factors, and the impact of mental health challenges on daily life. 
• Understand the need for mental health risk assessments, identifying early warning signs of distress, self-harm, or suicide risk and responding appropriately. 
• Engage in evidence-informed psychoeducation and mental health promotion, reducing stigma and raising awareness of mental health issues within their professional context. 
• Prioritise self-care and support colleagues, recognising workplace mental health stressors and applying strategies to prevent burnout. 
• Support recovery-oriented approaches, fostering respect, autonomy, and self-determination.

2. Develop Intersectoral Mental Health Collaboration/Communication Competencies

• Understand the roles of various sectors in mental health care, the local care system, and how to access services, including best practices from other contexts. 
• Ensure safe, sensitive, and effective referrals while assisting individuals in navigating complex care systems. 
• Collaborate effectively with professionals and agencies outside their sector to ensure a person-centred and cooperative approach to mental health care. 
• Contribute to improving mental health services by fostering collaboration among providers, sharing best practices, and proposing enhancements in prevention and care. 

3. Cross-Cutting Training Objectives: Strengthen Systems Thinking and Sustainable Mental Health Practices

• Apply a systemic thinking to understand the interconnectedness of mental health support services across different sectors.
• Identify opportunities for capacity-building and continuous learning to ensure long-term improvements in mental health care. 
• Support professionals in gaining an understanding of how they from their role and expertise can advocate for actions to be implemented and sustained in different sectors and services. 

DATES

• Information workshop: 10 July 2025 - 13:00 to 15:00, online
• 1st group: 22 and 23 September 2025, Wesenufer
• 2nd group: 14 and 25 October 2025, Wesenufer
• 3rd group: 20 and 21 October 2025, Wesenufer
• Conclusive workshop (for all groups): 23 October 2025 - 13:00 to 15:00, online

Advanced training

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

1. Expand Knowledge of Mental Health Policies and Strategies and how they can be used to create settings and systems for mental health and wellbeing 

• Understand policies, plans and legislation in mental health and how to align practices with international standards and policies.
• Apply strategies for promoting mental health at a systemic level, integrating cross-sectoral and community-based best practices into prevention and early intervention efforts. 

2. Enhance Multidisciplinary Mental Health Collaboration

• Strengthen collaboration for mental health promotion and prevention, developing jointstrategies to improve community mental well-being. 
• Improve cross-sectoral teamwork in mental health support, early intervention, treatment, and recovery, ensuring integrated and person-centred approaches. 
• Develop action plans for ongoing collaboration and professional development, fostering a sustainable, multidisciplinary approach to mental health support. 

3. Develop Advanced Teamwork and Leadership Skills

• Enhance intra-team communication, ensuring timely and effective information sharing while maintaining confidentiality and ethical considerations.
• Apply conflict resolution techniques, addressing disagreements constructively within teams to improve service coordination and care delivery.
• Engage in shared decision-making, working collaboratively with professionals and individuals experiencing mental health challenges to develop effective intervention plans. 
• Reflect on collaboration and service improvements, identifying successes and areas for growth within their professional and organisational context.

4. Strengthen Self-Care, Resilience and Team Well-being Practices

• Implement self-care strategies, managing workplace stress and secondary trauma to maintain resilience.
• Support colleagues’ mental health, recognising signs of burnout and promoting a culture of workplace well-being.

DATES

• Information workshop: 10 July 2025 - 13:00 to 15:00, online
• 1st group: 24 September 2025, Linz
• 2nd group: 16 October 2025, Linz
• 3rd group: 22 October 2025, Linz
• Conclusive workshop (for all groups): 23 October 2025 - 13:00 to 15:00, online

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants will undergo a thorough selection process based on the following criteria:

1. Country of Residence:

• The training programme is open to national participants.

2. Professional profile: 

• Health Professionals: Medical and allied health workers such as general practitioners, nurses
• Mental Health Professionals: Psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, and therapists
• Social Work Professionals: Practitioners working in social care settings
• Education Workers: Teachers, school counsellors, and educational administrators
• Justice Sector Workers: Professionals in justice systems, juvenile detention centres, and law enforcement
• Cross-Sectoral Professionals: Individuals working in interdisciplinary community settings
• Non- Clinical Mental Health Professionals: Peer support workers, community volunteers, and others

3. Level of Experience:

• Core training: no minimum level of experience is required.
• Advanced training: minimum 5 years experience are requested to access the course.  

4. Commitment to attend the full training programme

5. Willingness to train others within the organisations post-training

Applicants can expect to receive a response within one or two weeks after registration closure.
Please also remember to check in your Spam folder!

If selected, you will be asked to enter more details, as a second step for registration. Please make sure to do so within 1 week of confirmation, otherwise we will have to give your seat to another applicant.