Everyone has feelings and it is normal to not always feel 100% happy. At the University of Twente we highly value your well-being, as your well-being is essential to fully enjoy student life.
To provide help and support in difficult times, an overview of all our initiatives is listed on this page. Do you need help but are you not sure where to turn to? Contact your study adviser or Student Affairs Coaching & Counselling. Our experts help you find a suitable form of support.
Find your support
Do you have questions about where to turn to for help or support? Below is a guide to student well-being support. In this infographic, you get a clear and concise overview of a lot of resources and services available to ensure your well-being throughout your studies.
Where to turn to for help
Stress is part of daily life; it motivates us to get going and enhances performances. But sometimes the amount of stress we experience can become too much. In this case, sharing your concerns with others can help you! It often gives relief and allows you to look for solutions together. You can also share your concerns with your study adviser.
Learn how to deal with stress, so it becomes more manageable and less overwhelming? Sign up for the stress management workshop, developed by our student psychologists.
Talk about it! The people around you are happy to help. Think of roommates, friends or fellow students. You can also ask your study adviser for help or contact our student psychologists.
See if you can find a friend to go for a coffee or a walk! Also, UT offers a lot of possibilities to get in contact with fellow students, for example by joining one of the over 140 student associations. Whether you want to practice sport, learn about a new culture or are enthusiastic about music. Check out the Student Union website to find an association that fits your interests and puts you in touch with people who share the same passion. You can also join the study association of your programme, it is a great way to get to know people!
Want to help someone
Choose a time/place where you can talk openly and easily, without getting interrupted and ask how things are going and offer a listening ear. Let them know that you’re there for them and that these feelings are allowed to be there. Ask what you can do to help and seek help together if necessary.
To learn how to best help your friends, the psychologists of the UT have also set up a “Look after your friend” training in collaboration with the Student Union. For more information or to sign up, visit the website!
Weekly walking during lunch break. Study advisers are available to answer any questions you might have. Hoppes, the emotional support dog, will walk with you.
Check out the walking & talking activity.
Confidential contact persons
Sharing experiences with someone your age can feel safe and comfortable. Therefore, UT introduces the Confidential Contact Person (CCP) for students. CCPs are students of the University of Twente from different studies and backgrounds and have different experiences studying at UT or elsewhere. CCPs are students who are trained to be peer listeners and will keep everything other students share completely confidential. Let’s talk about it!
For more information and an overview of the CCPs, check out www.utwente.nl/confidential
"Respect each other's space. Talk about it" or "Act on it!"
Mental health
Everybody responds differently to the current circumstances. Whilst some people are doing fine, others feel more restless, stressed or anxious. On our Student Well-being Canvas Platform you can find practical tips and advice about how to cope with these feelings in a healthy way.
Video: Are you okay? Well-being is for everyone!
What does well-being mean to you?
With the pandemic and university stress, it can be difficult to manage. For everyone, a sense of well-being means something different. Watch the video and see how your fellow students think about well-being and healthy student life. They share their thoughts and bring up helpful tips.
Check out the videos (playlist).
Urgent issues
If you are struggling with an urgent issue and you feel like you can not wait for an appointment, these are your options:
Contact these authorities for help:
- Contact
your GP (general practitioner) or the outside-of-office hours GP service by calling +31885551188 (Enschede) or +31885551155 (Hengelo).
- If
you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, contact 0800-0113 for suicide prevention.
- In
case of an emergency call 112.
- Alles Oké? Supportlijn offers
support to anyone between 18 and 24 years old when things aren't going great. You will receive support via chat or call.
