Support for your mental well-being

Good mental health provides a strong foundation for study and work. It is important to seek help if you are not doing well. There are a range of ways in which you can work on your mental well-being. You can also turn to others for help and guidance. Take a look at the various options available.

Sometimes it’s nice to talk to someone. There are a range of options available within the university. You can contact Student Support Services via studentsupport@leidenuniv.nl or by calling: 071 527 8025. Or why not join one of the many workshops or training courses. Take a look on the workshops and training courses page and find the workshop that’s right for you.

Loneliness

Students can get just as lonely as anyone else. You can get support from a number of organisations:

Rapenburg100 offers meeting and guidance for those experiencing loneliness.
AntiLoneliness offers counselling, therapy and other services. Students receive discount.
You can also contact the student psychologists.
Podcast- Studenticast: Loneliness

Listening ear

Chat anonymously via @Ease

If you are you dealing with stress, loneliness, depression or something else, you can chat online for free via @Ease. On Mondays from 15.30 till 18.30 you can also drop by for a chat in person at Hooigracht 12 in Leiden. No appointment is required.

Handy apps and websites:

Take a moment to relax and find some peace and quiet. Rapenburg 100 offers free online meditation sessions for students:

In English, Sundays at 18:00: Send a mail to join
In Dutch,Tuesdays at 09:00: Send a mail to join

Take a moment to relax in the Mindfulnest

On the fifth floor of Beehive Student Centre in The Hague, you’ll find the Mindfulnest - a place where you can unwind by listening to guided meditations, playing nature sounds or simply enjoying the silence.

Download the Mindfulnest App

You can also enjoy Mindfulnest’s guided meditations at home for free by downloading the Mindfulnest app and logging in with your ULCN account. You can find the Mindfulnest app in the App Store and the Play Store.

Do you have questions about your own habits or are you worried about another person’s substance use? The Trimbos Institute researches and shares knowledge on alcohol, tobacco, drugs and mental health.

Podcast- Studenticast: Substance use

Protect your mental health - with Erik Scherder

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Humanities Well-being Ambassadors

We are excited to introduce you to our Well-being Ambassadors team! Our mission is simple, yet impactful: we're here to enhance the way our university nurtures well-being, and transform the conversation around student welfare.

You can contact us at studentwellbeing@hum.leidenuniv.nl

What do we do?
Well, picture us as the advocates of well-being on campus. We craft thoughtful campaigns, raise awareness about well-being challenges, and brainstorm solutions that can make a real difference. We see ourselves as the vital bridge between existing well-being initiatives and faculty staff members. We want to create linking arms with other efforts to build a seamless support network for everyone.

Let's talk goals.
Our Student Well-being Ambassador Team is all about action. We're dedicated to promoting well-being across the Humanities faculty by spotlighting ongoing initiatives and exploring fresh approaches to integrate well-being into student life. Our targets align with the five key principles of student well-being outlined in the university-wide ‘Vision on Student Well-Being.’ We're committed to making meaningful progress in each of them.

So, whether you're a student, a faculty member, or simply someone who believes in the power of well-being: we invite you to share your ideas and join us on this journey. Together, let's cultivate a campus culture where everyone can thrive.

Vision on Student Well-Being:

Principle 1: Awareness starts in the learning environment
Principle 2: Prevention and early detection in a culture in which student well-being can be discussed openly
Principle 3: The University and its faculties provide an appropriate range of student support services
Principle 4: Advancing the expertise of student advisers to achieve an optimal chain of student support
Principle 5: Promoting the well-being of students by creating a sense of belonging and a safe study environment