Mental Health Week

There's plenty of research showing that mental health pressure is increasing among young people. And not every student is immediately open to being vulnerable and talking about this topic.   

 

Maartje van den Broek, care coordinator, notices this in her daily work: “I noticed a student wasn't doing well. Previously, he was always up for a joke, chatting with his fellow students, and enthusiastic about his internship. Later in the school year, I noticed him withdrawing more and more. He became increasingly quiet, looked tired, and was also less present at school. It was difficult to talk to him. 'I don't need to talk, there's nothing wrong, I'll figure it out myself, everything will be fine.' But things weren't going well. Everyone saw that. During one of the practical lessons, we got to talking about an assignment. He had a question, and I helped him get started. While we worked on the assignment together, I was able to bridge the gap, and it became easier to talk about his concerns. Eventually, we made an appointment for appropriate support. He's gradually improving now.” 

 

Maartje's story shows that asking the right questions or creating the right setting can make all the difference. This aligns with the two activities we organize at Summa College.  

 

One of the activities is "Body Shop." This is a mobile "shop" where students can "buy the perfect body." The focus isn't on physical purchases, but on stimulating conversations about shame, self-image, and reflection. Care coaches facilitate these dialogues, making it safe for students to broach taboo topics. The Body Shop will be located in a central location in the main hall of Sterrenlaan 4 on Thursday and Friday. This makes it very accessible for students to participate, allowing them to become aware of the importance of a positive self-image and mental well-being in a playful way. 

 

During the "Build a Bench" activity at Sterrenlaan 10, students take on the challenge of building a bench together while discussing questions depicted on the various components. This makes it easier for students to discuss difficult topics. While building the bench, an informal atmosphere is created, allowing students to talk freely and address topics they might not have considered themselves. 

 

Students are welcome on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 May at: