Stressed Utrecht students receive help from the university

Students from the University of Utrecht can have their mental health tested during the next academic year by completing an online questionnaire. On this basis, they can receive help if necessary

The university has appointed students in psychology. They examine whether students have problems related to studies and if they can be restarted in about five sessions. In case of more serious problems, such as a eating disorder or depression, students are referred to the Mental Health Specialist

who is also beginning to provide online assistance. Students can talk with students in psychology, for example, about problems with sleep or drinking alcohol.

With these measures, the university wants to tackle problems such as stress, depression and burnout complaints. According to Marieke de Bakker, head of student affairs at the University of Utrecht, more and more students are involved. "They say that they are suffering today from unhealthy stress and that they are under pressure from performance," she told RTV Utrecht. "Of course, the job market has also changed, you have to distinguish yourself and do a lot of things in addition to your studies, which is problematic."