At the Medical University of Brandenburg (MHB), a Certified Advanced Studies (CAS) course will consider the implementations of participation and involvement in the field of tension between self-help, care institutions, and health and social policies in the dialogue between research and practice.

The course is offered over three semesters completely in German. It is aimed at those affected, those active in self-help and self-advocacy, and members of patient and family organizations who are already involved or would like to become involved. In addition to imparting knowledge, the aim is to enable exchange among each other and to promote the joint development of insights and possibilities for action.

Experts with and without their own experience of illness, crises and relatives will impart scientific, socio-practical or personal knowledge and experience as speakers or reflection partners. In addition to the exchange in course groups, content will also be developed through self-study. In all three semesters, mentoring is offered in groups or, if required, in individual discussions.

After an internship (or optional term paper), the course concludes with a presentation (or thesis) and a final discussion. The course completion is documented with a certificate that is creditable for other studies.

The course was developed out of the Co-Lab for Mental Health* at MHB and offered together with other scientists and a variety of speakers. Please direct any questions regarding the content to Sebastian von Peter.