Health at the University of Vechta: New concept for mental strength!

Health at the University of Vechta: New concept for mental strength!

The importance of health management at universities has increased significantly in recent years, particularly due to the effects of the corona pandemic. How mynewsdesk.com reports, psychosocial challenges among young people are increasingly coming into focus. Particularly stricter contact conditions during the pandemic have increased the stress levels of many students.

Johanna Schoon, who is responsible for Student Health Management (SGM) at the University of Vechta, pursues a holistic health concept that includes physical, psychological and social aspects. Health is not seen as the opposite of illness, but rather as a continuum. While some degree of stress may be considered normal during exam periods, prolonged stress is alarming.

Comprehensive concept of student health management

The SGM at the University of Vechta goes far beyond simple health measures such as sitting correctly or providing fruit baskets. The focus is on preventive well-being. These include, for example, retreat rooms and leisure activities on campus that are designed with the aim of promoting the psychosocial well-being of students.

A central goal of the SGM is to impart health skills and promote exchange between students and lecturers. The students should act as multipliers for health issues in their future professional lives. The SGM is already anchored in the university development plan of the University of Vechta. Financing comes from university funds and a funding project from the Techniker Krankenkasse.

Challenges and burdens for students

The stressors experienced by students are increasingly being studied. Loud competencecenter-gesunde-hochschulen.de Exams and the associated preparation, study organization and multiple stresses cause considerable stress. Students report that they feel more stress than their peers who are not studying. This increased stress is often accompanied by a higher frequency of psychological disorders and anxiety.

Many students are increasingly being prescribed psychotropic medication, which indicates increased psychological stress. The social support from fellow students and teachers is often perceived as lacking, as is the scope for action in everyday student life. The introduction of student health management therefore requires a comprehensive inventory of the current situation.

Goals and first projects

A first step within the SGM at the University of Vechta is the training of certified mental health first aiders. This project combines theoretical knowledge transfer with practical exercises on mental health problems. Initial feedback on the project is positive, and a selection of participants is planned for the spring. The aim of this project is to expand sustainable support structures for mental health at the University of Vechta.

The SGM is not independent of company health management, but rather represents an integral part of university health management. By identifying positive connecting points on campus, the aim is to continually improve the effectiveness of health management. It remains to be seen how these initiatives will develop in the future and what positive effects they will have for students.