Mission and objectives
Mental health is just as important as physical health. But it remains a taboo topic in many settings, especially at universities. EPFL is committed to making the well-being of its community a strategic priority – and to creating an environment where everyone can get information, seek support and talk openly about mental health.
In line with this commitment, a Mental Health and Well-Being Task Force – under the leadership of the Associate Vice Presidency for Student Affairs and Outreach (AVP-SAO) – has been set up to develop a mental health strategy. This Task Force, which includes four focus groups (see below), follows a similar model to the Task Force Harassment A-Z & Promoting a Culture of Respect.
In November 2022, the Task Force surveyed the EPFL community to pinpoint the issues affecting mental health, to identify our community’s needs, and to determine what measures need to be implemented. The results of this survey were presented to Management in Summer 2023. The Task Force is currently working on concrete actions. At a later date, community members will receive a second questionnaire asking for feedback on these measures.
We would be happy to receive your questions, comments or suggestions at the following address: [email protected]
Task Force members
- Inès Ariceta, Trust and Support Network lead (TSN – VPT)
- Hess Bellwald Kathryn, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Outreach (AVP-SAO), Task Force initiator
- Kristin Becker, Project Manager, Equal Opportunity (EGA)
- Cevher Volkan, Associate Professor, CCE representative
- Dorothee Beckendorff, Polydoc representative
- François Candaux, Associate Physician, Head of EPFL’s Psychotherapeutic Consultation Team
- Chuard Daniel, Deputy, Associate Vice Presidency for Student Affairs and Outreach (AVP-SAO)
- Cialente Marie-Claude, head of the student affairs service
- Du Pasquier Eric, Director, Department of Security, Safety and Facilities Operations (DSE)
- Duvillard Laureline, Communication Manager, Vice Presidency for Academic Affairs (VPA)
- Feuz Corinne, Deputy Director of Communication and Spokesperson, MEDIACOM
- Johannes Gräff, Associate Professor, Head of the Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics
- Kolendowska Albertine, Research Associate, Associate Vice Presidency for Student Affairs and Outreach (AVP-SAO), Task Force coordinator
- Ingrid Le Duc, Teaching advisor (CAPE)
- Mair Philip, Deputy, Associate Vice Presidency for Postgraduate Education (AVP-PGE)
- Pallie Jessica, Project Manager, Department of Human Resources
- Tormey Roland, Head, Teaching Support Center (CAPE)
- Julie Varupenne, Student, Head of AGEPoly prevention team, representing non-doctoral students
- Berlind Vosberg, PolyDoc President, representing doctoral students
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Focus groups
Following on from the Mental Health and Well-Being Week organized in November 2022, this working group is co-organizing the Health Days with the UNIL-EPFL Sport and Health Service. This event dedicated to mental and physical health will take place from 2 to 5 October on the UNIL campus and from 9 to 13 October on the EPFL campus. Reserved for these two communities, its aim is to inform and provide useful resources for cultivating well-being.
The aim of this focus group is to set up actions and events related to mental health and well-being, with a view to informing the EPFL and UNIL public about these issues, providing useful resources for cultivating well-being, giving a voice to people wishing to talk about their experiences and destigmatising mental health issues. One of the group’s responsibilities is to co-organise the Jours Santé (Health Days) with the UNIL-EPFL Sport and Health Service. This event dedicated to mental and physical health will take place in October on the EPFL and UNIL campus (details to follow).
Focus group leader: Albertine Kolendowska
Members: Laureline Duvillard, Marie-Claude Cialente, David Kerzel, Valérie Kaltenrieder, Gemma Izquierdo Pardo
Visit the Health Days Webpage ⇒ jours-sante.ch
This group was responsible for proposing and planning the implementation of measures aimed at the student community to improve their mental health and well-being. It focuses in particular on the structure and management of studies.
Focus group leaders: Ingrid Leduc et Roland Tormey
Members: representatives of teaching, student, faculty, administrative and doctoral staff
Read the Focus Group report ⇒ Proposed measures
This group was responsible for proposing and supervising the implementation of measures to improve the well-being on campus through the physical environment, and the development of collaborative workspaces.
Read the Focus Group report ⇒ Proposed measures
The aim of this group was to develop a catalogue of training courses tailored to the various EPFL populations, in areas that have been identified as having an impact on satisfaction and development, in particular by professionalising team management.
Read the Focus Group report ⇒ Proposed measures
Trust Point
Get help and support if you have a question or issue relating to your physical or mental health, or report a case of mobbing or harassment.
