First groups in Kohtla-Järve participate in community Crisis Skills Training Programme
On March 15, the first sessions of the K-36 training programme of the community-based civil protection project were held in Kohtla-Järve, with one group receiving mental health crisis first aid and the other receiving first aid training. The next community-based trainings will occur in April.
On a sunny Saturday, March 15, nearly 50 Kohtla-Järve community members gathered at the Wiru Sports Centre for a training session. They all shared a common goal: to improve their crisis skills, which could be accomplished in two ways: mental health first aid crisis training and first aid training. The goal of the crisis-focused Mental Health First Aid training was to give the community a chance to learn basic psychological first aid techniques and principles for crisis situations.
Practical exercises were also used to improve listening, noticing, and helping skills. The training focused on psychological support for self and community members to maintain their ability to think and act rationally during a crisis. Furthermore, the training emphasised that providing mental first aid in a difficult situation reduces the need for professional help later on. The Mental Health First Aid training, led by clinical psychologist Kadi Parve (NGO Peaasjad), will continue as an online training, with participants gathering for another day of learning.
During the first aid training, members of the Kohtla-Järve community learnt how to administer first aid using practical tools, and common first aid myths were debunked. Participants were able to practise CPR on a resuscitation manikin (some for the first time), and the proper use of an AED resuscitator was discussed together. Andrus Lehtmets, a paramedic and first aid trainer with extensive practical experience, provided participants with examples of both good and bad first aid.
Furthermore, members of the community learnt that they can always contact emergency services if they are unsure. If something appears out of place or abnormal in your health or the health of another person, contact your family doctor’s helpline or 112 in the event of an emergency health problem, accident, or trauma. It was also emphasised that we should report anyone who is in need; after all, if we are in distress, we want someone to report it to emergency services.
The community members who attended the training sessions learnt that they are all capable of providing first aid, whether it is mental or physical. Furthermore, the participants gained practical skills that will be useful when the unexpected occurs. The trainings provided participants with valuable knowledge and working practices that they can apply in everyday life, as well as in emergency and crisis situations.
In total, the Crisis Research Centre in Kohtla-Järve will conduct four trainings on four different topics, assisting the city of Kohtla-Järve in taking the first and most significant step towards increased community crisis preparedness in Ida-Viru County. The paramilitary Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation Urban Survival and Family Crisis Plan online trainings will take place in April. Registration and more information about the sessions can be found at here.
🟧🟦 The activities of the K-36 project will be carried out by the Crisis Research Centre, and the implementation of the project activities is supported by the Civil Society Foundation through the Ministry of the Interior.
Photos: March 15 training sessions at the Wiru Sports Centre in Kohtla-Järve (KRUK, 2025).
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