ensa

What ensa does

ensa is the Swiss adaptation of the Australian Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) programme, launched in 2019 and operated as a programme of the Swiss Foundation Pro Mente Sana (Stiftung Pro Mente Sana), a ZEWO-certified non-profit based in Zurich. The programme teaches laypeople a structured 5-step methodology branded as ROGER (Recognize, Offer, Guide, Encourage, Refer) for responding to individuals experiencing mental health issues or crises, and is delivered via 12-hour (Focus Adults) and 14-hour (Focus Youth) courses, supplemented by specialised 3.5-4 hour dialogue modules for executives, suicidal ideation, and non-suicidal self-injury, plus refresher courses. Participants complete an online examination (two case studies plus true/false items) and receive a certificate valid for three years, which is renewable through refresher courses; the programme is offered in German, French, Italian, and English across Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

ensa monetises through four discrete revenue streams: individual participant course fees (CHF 380-450), corporate in-house training contracts (price on request, with the executive dialogue priced at CHF 250 per person), instructor training and certification pathways (CHF 800-3,400 for the full Adults or Youth instructor pathway plus CHF 200/year licensing), and course fees paid by partner organisations such as Swiss Red Cross Canton Bern, Travail.Suisse, and various healthcare and educational institutions that integrate ensa into their existing training catalogues. The go-to-market mixes self-serve online registration (PLG motion), direct enterprise sales for customised in-house training, and a partner channel through certified independent instructors who advertise and deliver courses on the ensa platform. Payments are collected via Postfinance, Mastercard, VISA, and TWINT in Swiss francs, with Swica supplementary insurance reimbursing a portion of course costs.

ensa's underlying technology stack is a content-and-services platform rather than a software product: licenced curriculum content from Mental Health First Aid International, an online examination and certificate management system, an instructor login portal for course publishing and participant management, and a multilingual website (ensa.swiss) covering DE/FR/IT/EN. The cumulative training base spans 50,000+ participants across 500+ companies including ABB, Novartis, IKEA, Swiss Re, Zurich Insurance, Migros, Johnson & Johnson, Swisscom, Helsana, AXA, Baloise, ETH Zurich, ZHAW, BKW, Denner, Fielmann and Stadler Rail, supported by sector accreditations (RME, ASDD, SGP, FPH, SUVA) and initial co-funding from the Beisheim Foundation and the Ernst Göhner Foundation. ensa reports a 98-99% participant recommendation rate and is positioned as an evidence-based complement to professional mental health services rather than a replacement.

Name

ensa

Legal name

ensa

Website

https://ensa.swiss

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ensa is a Swiss non-profit mental health first aid training programme that teaches laypeople, executives, and certified instructors to recognise and respond to mental health crises using the ROGER 5-step methodology, serving individuals, enterprises, and channel partners across Switzerland in four languages since 2019.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Training Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Staff Training, Coaching & Professional Development (SEL/Mental Health) (EDAKAMAL)

Keywords

• Mental health first aid
• First aid training
• Corporate wellness training
• Mental health certification
• Instructor certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual course fees: ensa generates revenue through fees charged to individual participants for first aid courses. Courses are priced in Swiss francs with payment collected at registration via Postfinance, Mastercard, VISA, or TWINT. Course fees vary by course type and format (in-person vs webinar). Cancellation fees of CHF 50 apply for public course cancellations.
2. Instructor training and certification fees: Revenue is generated from instructor training programs including base day training (800 CHF), adult-focused training (1,300 CHF for 2 days), youth-focused training (1,800 CHF for 3 days), assessment (1,000 CHF), certification (300 CHF), and various refresher courses (580 CHF each). Package deals are available at discounted rates.
3. Corporate/organization training contracts: Organizations can request customized in-house training programs for employees. Pricing for enterprise clients is provided upon request. The executive dialogue course is priced at CHF 250 per person for organizations.
4. Annual instructor licensing: Certified ensa instructors pay an annual license fee of CHF 200 to the Swiss Pro Mente Sana Foundation. This grants them access to the course platform where they can advertise courses, manage participants, and download teaching materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ensa offers Mental Health First Aid training courses in Switzerland, teaching laypeople the ROGER 5-step methodology to recognize, support, guide, encourage, and refer individuals experiencing mental health issues or crises. Courses are delivered in person and via webinar in German, French, Italian, and English, and include online examination, three-year certification, and a separate multi-stage instructor certification pathway.

Product overview

ensa is a Swiss Mental Health First Aid training program consisting of a portfolio of courses designed to teach laypeople how to provide first aid to individuals experiencing mental health issues or crises. The core offerings include the First Aid Course Focus Adults (12 hours) and First Aid Course Focus Youth (14 hours), both culminating in certificates valid for three years. Specialized dialogue courses address executives, suicidal thoughts, and non-suicidal self-injury. Refresher courses allow certified first aiders to renew credentials. The program also includes a comprehensive instructor training pathway for those wishing to deliver ensa courses professionally. All courses are delivered by Pro Mente Sana trained instructors either in-person or via webinar, and are offered in German, French, Italian, and English.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ensa First Aid Course Focus Adults: Mental health first aid course focusing on adults, teaching recognition of mental health issues and intervention techniques
• ensa First Aid Course Focus Youth
• ensa First Aid Dialogues for Executives
• ensa First Aid Dialogues about Suicidal Thoughts
• ensa First Aid Dialogues about Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)
• ensa Refresher

Products and services

• ensa First Aid Course Focus Adults 12-hour mental health first aid course teaching participants to recognize signs of mental health issues, approach affected individuals, and guide them to professional help using the ROGER 5-step methodology. Includes online examination and certificate valid for three years. Priced at CHF 380 per person.
• ensa First Aid Course Focus Youth/Adolescents 14-hour course designed for adults working with young people, covering mental health knowledge specific to adolescence and common disorders. Focuses on early intervention and support for youth experiencing psychological difficulties. Priced at CHF 450 per person.
• First Aid Dialogue for Executives 3.5-hour course teaching managers to recognize early signs of psychological difficulties in employees and conduct first aid conversations. Includes role-play exercises and practical dialogue training. Priced at CHF 250 per person for organizations.
• First Aid Dialogue about Suicidal Thoughts 4-hour specialized course teaching participants how to help someone in suicidal crisis and accompany them until professional assistance is in place. Priced at CHF 150 per person, available in German and French.
• First Aid Dialogue about Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) 4-hour course teaching participants how to support individuals engaging in non-suicidal self-injury until professional help is available. Priced at CHF 150 per person, available in German.
• ensa Refresher Course Focus Adults Shorter course for existing ensa first aiders to refresh knowledge, practice skills in complex situations, and extend certificate validity by three additional years. Priced at CHF 180 per person.
• ensa Refresher Course Focus Youth Refresher course for existing ensa first aiders with youth specialization to update knowledge and renew their three-year certificate. Priced at CHF 180 per person.
• ensa Instructor Training Multi-stage training program to become a certified ensa instructor, including base day (CHF 800), adult specialization (CHF 1,300 for 2 days), youth specialization (CHF 1,800 for 3 days), assessment (CHF 1,000), and certification (CHF 300). Package deals available (CHF 2,900 adults; CHF 3,400 youth). Annual instructor license fee of CHF 200 applies.
• Confidential Counseling Service Interdisciplinary service offered by Pro Mente Sana providing anonymous professional counseling for employees following ensa courses within organizational settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% recommendation rate among course participants
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pro Mente Sana FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerensa is a program of the Swiss Foundation Pro Mente Sana, which operates the training courses and manages the instructor network. Pro Mente Sana is a non-profit organization certified by ZEWO, dedicated to mental health and the social and professional inclusion of people with mental disabilities.
• Mental Help ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration partner offering CHF 20 discount on course fees for Mental Help Club members.
• Denner AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss retail company whose management has undergone ensa training. Manager Manuel Reber provides testimonial about improved ability to identify behavioral changes in employees.
• ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational institution offering ensa courses to teachers. Teacher Alice Inauen provides testimonial about importance of mental health knowledge for youth.
• Baloise InsuranceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance company with employees trained in ensa. GSE Manager Simon Feuz provides testimonial about the gap ensa fills in helping colleagues recognize mental health issues.
• BKW EnergyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnergy company with diverse workforce trained in ensa. GSE Manager Yannic Clerc notes the varied participant backgrounds.
• FielmannminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOptics retail company. Apprentice trainer Leon Ambord provides testimonial about improved understanding of adolescent mental health.
• Swiss Red Cross (SRK) Canton BernminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional Red Cross chapter offering ensa courses at SRK Bern location.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Mental Health First Aid International: Global licensor that grants ensa its curriculum rights and coordinates MHFA rollout across 26+ countries. Comparable as the umbrella organization for the methodology and through its central role in standardizing training, certification, and instructor pathways.

Emerging players

• Togetherall: Digital mental health platform offering clinically moderated peer support and resources, often contracted by employers and universities. Comparable as an enterprise channel partner addressing workplace mental health needs, though without an in-person training methodology.

Direct peers

• Mental Health First Aid Australia: The originator of the Mental Health First Aid program (developed by Betty Kitchener and Professor Anthony Jorm) that ensa licenses and adapts. Directly comparable product offering, methodology, and accreditation framework, operating in Australia with similar instructor-led delivery.
• Mental Health First Aid England: UK arm of the global MHFA network delivering the same evidence-based curriculum and instructor training pathway as ensa. Closest direct comparison as a country-level licensed operator of the MHFA programme with comparable corporate training focus.

Regional players

• Mind (UK): UK mental health charity providing mental health training, information, and workplace services to UK employers. Comparable as a mission-driven mental health training provider operating in a single national market with similar employer and individual training offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Lyra Health: Enterprise mental health benefits platform offering therapy, coaching, and digital tools to global employers. Adjacent competitor for corporate mental health budget, with a broader integrated care model rather than standalone training.
• Calm Business: Enterprise mental wellness subscription (Calm Business) competing with ensa for corporate wellness spend. Broader scope (meditation, sleep, mental health) but addresses adjacent workplace mental health objectives with a digital delivery model.
• Swiss Red Cross: Established Swiss training provider and ensa partner that delivers physical first aid courses and now hosts ensa mental health courses. Comparable as a Swiss first aid training incumbent with national infrastructure and credibility.
• Headspace for Work: Global mental wellness platform with a strong enterprise offering (Headspace for Work) that competes for the same corporate mental health budget as ensa, but delivers via a digital app model rather than in-person mental health first aid training.
• Modern Health: Global employer mental health platform offering coaching, therapy, and digital programs. Competes with ensa in the corporate mental health procurement cycle, but with a broader, technology-led care delivery model rather than standalone training.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ensaswitzerland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ensa-switzerland
• Instagraminstagram.com/ensa.swiss

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ensa