The Student Minds Network:
Nationales Netzwerk zur psychischen Gesundheit der Studierenden
The Student Minds Network serves as a national network of student and youth organisations that advocate for the mental health of students. The aim is to strengthen and protect the mental health of students and to de-taboo and destigmatise the topic in higher education and in society.
Why is the network needed ?
The survey on the social and economic situation of students by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) shows that 23% of students suffer from moderate to severe depression. Next to chronic illnesses, mental health problems are the second most common health problem among students. This shows that students make up a vulnerable group when it comes to mental stress. It is time to act and this network aims to support and promote student mental health initiatives.
Our Vision
Students in Switzerland can study in a regenerative environment free from stigma and discrimination and maintain and nurture their mental health.
Network goals
- The Student Minds Network advocates for student mental health on a national level with policy makers, higher education institutions, the media and other stakeholders.
- The Student Minds Network forms a national network of student associations that deal with the issue and promotes active exchange among its members.
- The public debate on the topic is conducted in a way that destigmatises and removes taboos.
- The problems surrounding the mental health situation of students have been identified, preventive solutions have been defined and are being demanded.
Current situation on student mental health
In autumn 2021, the predecessor project “Student Minds Project” conducted a national survey on the mental health of students. Almost 3,000 students took part in the survey. The first selected results can be viewed here. In addition, in May 2023, the VSS Delegates’ Assembly adopted a resolution summarising the current situation and the demands towards universities, cantons and the federal government.
Offers
Workshop: “Tracks to a sustainable and healthy committee culture – student engagement without burning out”
Students who are involved in a student organisation alongside their studies and employment are often exposed to multiple burdens that can have a negative impact on their well-being. The high pressure on individual shoulders in turn influences the mood in the team and can lead to friction amongthe committed students. We have created the following workshop to prevent such situations and prevent dedicated students from burning out. Over thecourse of an afternoon, we want to discuss what a healthy and sustainable committee culture can look like. We also want to develop concrete tools thatcommitted students can then take back to their organisation. After all, in order to make a lasting impact, involvement in a student organisation shouldalso be fun and increase the well-being of those involved.
Target Group: The workshop is primarily aimed at students who are involved in a leadership position in a student organisation. These can be boardmembers, council presidents or team members of a smaller organisation or student council. The aim is for one or two people per team to take part in theworkshop and then take the content back to their own committee.
Information:
- The workshop will take place on the 23rd of May at the VSS office at Monbijoustrasse 30, Bern 3011.
- We will meet at 13:15 and will be through with the programme at around 17:00.
- Afterwards there will be an aperitif for those who would like to sit together for a while. Snacks and drinks will be available during the workshop.
- Participation and the aperitif are free of charge, but the student organisation will have to pay for travel costs.
Registration: Please register by 18th of May 2025. If you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us: seraina.campell@vss-unes.ch.
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Workshop: Fundraising for student organisations
This online workshop is about how you, as a member of a student organisation, can obtain financial support for your own projects, events and ideas. As a beginner in the field of fundraising for smaller projects, you will learn how to proceed in the search for funding, what your project description should contain and what you should pay particular attention to when submitting an application.
Target Group: The workshop takes the form of a low-threshold exchange. The project management of the Student Minds Network will support you with your concerns based on their own experiences and lessons learnt in fundraising for student projects. The workshop is therefore primarily aimed at students who are looking for financial support for smaller projects or events and have little or no experience.
Information:
- The workshop will take place online on 27 May 2025 from 18:30 to 20:00.
- The link will be sent to you as soon as you have registered and the registration deadline has passed.
- Participation is free of charge.
Registration: Please register by 20th of May 2025. If you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us: seraina.campell@vss-unes.ch.
11. Oktober 2024 – Workshop: “Tracks to a sustainable and healthy committee culture – student engagement without burning out”
Students who are involved in a student organisation alongside their studies and employment are often exposed to multiple burdens that can have a negative impact on their well-being. The high pressure on individual shoulders in turn influences the mood in the team and can lead to friction among the committed students. We have created the following workshop to prevent such situations and prevent dedicated students from burning out. Over the course of an afternoon, we want to discuss what a healthy and sustainable committee culture can look like. We also want to develop concrete tools that committed students can then take back to their organisation. After all, in order to make a lasting impact, involvement in a student organisation should also be fun and increase the well-being of those involved.
Target Group: The workshop is primarily aimed at students who are involved in a leadership position in a student organisation. These can be board members, council presidents or team members of a smaller organisation or student council. The aim is for one or two people per team to take part in the workshop and then take the content back to their own committee.
Beratungsstellen
Student Minds Network bietet keine direkte psychologische Unterstützung. Du möchtest sofort mit jemandem sprechen? Dann melde dich hier bei Tel. 143.
Du möchtest eine psychiatrische Fachperson finden:
- Psychiater:innen und Psychotherapeut:innen: Hier findest du eine Übersicht, geordnet nach Kantonen.
- Psychiatrische Klinik: Auf der offiziellen Website des Bundesamtes für Gesundheit findest du alle wichtigen Adressen.
- Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrischer Dienst in deiner Region.
Du möchtest weitere Informationen für dich selbst:
- www.feel-ok.ch – Hier findest du Antworten zu verschiedenen Themen.
- Für die Deutschschweiz: wie gehts dir?
- Für die Romandie & Tessin: Psy-Gesundheit.
- www.safezone.ch – Hier findest du Online-Beratung und Selbsttests zum Thema Sucht.
- www.tschau.ch – Hier beantworten Fachpersonen deine Lebens- und Alltagsfragen schriftlich.
Netzwerk
Projektleitung Student Minds Network
Für Fragen, Anregungen oder Informationen stehe ich gerne zur Verfügung:
Seraina Campell
Das Student Minds Network wird gefördert von
