Wiki Category: Community Service Projects

ENSA Mental Health First Responders program (RTCH)

ENSA Mental Health First Responders program is a service project initiative by Round Table Switzerland for the betterment of Men’s Mental Health within their organisation.

Since 2022, thanks to the initiative of Michael Tschannen and RT Switzerland 15 Burgdorf, Swiss Tablers have been actively championing mental health support through the groundbreaking ENSA* Mental Health First Responders program.

This initiative was inspired by a successful model from Round Table Germany, where mental health awareness and first responder training have already made a measurable impact. Recognizing the urgent need for similar support in Switzerland, Michael Tschannen and RTCH15 took the lead in bringing the concept across borders and adapting it locally in collaboration with Pro Mente Sana through the ENSA program.

The ENSA training equips selected members with certified skills to become Mental Health First Responders, enabling them to recognize early signs of psychological distress, offer immediate support, and guide fellow Tablers toward professional help when needed. Much like traditional first aid, this training prepares responders to provide crucial help in the moment—only now, for mental well-being.

These trained responders are being made available to all Round Table members across Switzerland, creating a peer-supported safety net that promotes openness, reduces stigma, and encourages meaningful conversations around mental health. The service will be open to the whole of the RT Family of Switzerland, including 41Club and Ladies Circle.

Everyone can be part of this movement:
By purchasing the Sergeant at Arms pin for just CHF 25.- in the RT Swizterland shop, Tablers directly support the training and expansion of this vital initiative.

Let’s stand together for mental health. Let’s build a stronger, more compassionate community—one where every Tabler feels seen, heard, and supported.

* ENSA is a programme of the Swiss Foundation Pro Mente Sana, co-initiated and supported by the Beisheim Foundation.

Find more about the “Roger Principe” of ENSA here !
Find more about here  !

Telefono Azzurro (RTIT)

Telefono Azzurro was a community service project that was headed by Round Table Italy in the 80s and 90s (to confirm).

The following is an extract from a 1989 magazine, giving some details of the project at the time.

The famous Italian Community Service il Telefono Azzurro

S.O.S. Infanzia Telefono Azzurro was founded on the 21st of September 1987 and since then has been operating 24 hours a day (Tel. 051/222525).

This service founded in Bologna, was possible thanks to the co-operation between the Italian Association against Child Abuse and the Round Table Italia, together with the precious work of another twenty persons: psychologists, social workers and educationalists.

Both adults and minors turn to S.O.S. Infanzia Telefono Azzurro, which is associated to other public and private facilities such as social and health services, Judicial Police, Juvenile Court and voluntary services.

Much help is given by lawyers, psychiatrists and paediatricians in specific cases.

The results obtained during these three months are the following:

CALLS
The Telefono Azzurro has received 6000 calls. 600 of these have been taken into serious account. Another 200 calls were considered as a first step. Many people often called simply to have explanations to their problems or even just to speak with somebody.

Who calls
Principally members of a family and their close relations followed by neighbours, friends — and whoever may be involved in each case. Two thirds of the calls are women and the remainder are men.

Fortunately the anonymous calls are only 25% of the whole calls and the fact that they are decreasing is encouraging. Over 30% of the people who call are adults followed by adolescents and young children.

Future plans
Other teams have been formed in various cities: Milano, Torino, Roma, Napoli, Palermo e Genova. These teams are not organizations similar to ours but they are external and dislocated facilities which co-operate with S.O.S. Infanzia, organized in a way that they can follow and take in charge the various cases in their area. New groups should be formed in the near future. In the meantime, courses for the workers, meetings, contacts with specialists, frequent exchanges with foreign facilities and workers are being arranged. There is also in phase of study a general convention which could group a major number of experiences and data.

The results achieved have gone beyond every expectation and the emphasis laid on this enterprise is the largest ever made to any one promoted by a club service in Italy.

Children with Liver Diseases – George Psaras – Round Table (RTCY)

Association: Round Table Cyprus
Category: Community Service Projects

The “Children with Liver Diseases – George Psaras – Round Table” is a non-profit organization in Cyprus dedicated to supporting children affected by liver diseases and their families. It also collaborates with the Pediatric Hepatology Center of Cyprus and works to raise awareness about liver-related conditions among patients, medical professionals, and the public.

Established in 2010 by a group of individuals inspired by personal experiences, the association was renamed in 2011 to honour George Psaras, a member of RT Cyprus and past RTI President 2008–2009. Since then, Round Table has continuously supported the organization in his memory.

Round Table Cyprus 5 Nicosia, a branch of Round Table Cyprus, actively organizes events to support the association. For instance, on January 30, 2025, RT5 Nicosia hosted the “Dinner of Love” at the Journalistic Center in Nicosia. The event aimed to raise funds and awareness for the association’s mission. The dinner was priced at €50 per person, and attendees could make reservations through RTCY5 Nicosia’s social media channels or by contacting them directly.

In addition to RTCY 5 Nicosia’s efforts, other organizations have also contributed to supporting the association. Ladies Circle Cyprus 5 Pafos, for example, has organized events where, instead of bringing gifts, participants were encouraged to make donations to the “Children with Liver Diseases – George Psaras – Round Table” association, promoting a spirit of giving and solidarity.

These collaborative efforts highlight the community’s commitment to supporting children with liver diseases and ensuring they receive the necessary care and assistance.

Association CSPs

This list is a sample of Community Service Projects organised by Round Table Associations within their borders and local communities. The scale of the project could benefit the smallest of communities, or might be felt on a national level. This list shows the variety of ideas and impacts that can take place within this global organisation.