STAFF WEEKS
Supporting Student Well-being in Higher Education: Strategies, Tools and Institutional Practices
About
Summary
Student well-being is a critical factor in academic success, personal development, and overall student experience.
Universities are not only places of intellectual growth – they are communities where students live, work, and form their identities. As such, institutions have a unique responsibility to create supportive, inclusive environments where students can thrive both academically and personally.
This staff training has been designed to share knowledge, strategies and practical tools to strengthen mental well-being within higher education.
Through expert talks and interactive sessions, you will have the opportunity to exchange experiences, reflect on current challenges, and develop practical actions to take back to your own institution.
Dates and format
| Training dates: | 4 June-5 June 2026 |
| Application deadline: | 23 February 2026 |
| Format and length: | 2 days on site |
Programme
Preliminary programme
The two-day training programme offers a mix of expert talks an interactive sessions.
Themes that will be addressed include:
- Support after shocking events to reduce or prevent trauma;
- the strength of a crisis intervention team in mental crises;
- ways to increase mental health literacy across your university community;
- the influence of smartphones and social media on student well-being;
- navigating societal unrest and climate-related anxiety;
- using exposure techniques to address study-related fears and stress;
- exploring how to connect academic guidance with mental support;
- and identifying emerging trends among students, such as quicker help-seeking and self-diagnosis.
Goals
- Share current university strategies, procedures and practical tools for promoting student well-being;
- Encourage a proactive, whole campus approach to supporting mental health;
- Build a professional network across institutions;
- Inspire collaboration and exchange of good practices.
Outcome
- Understand key concepts of student well-being and mental health;
- Gain insight into existing procedures and support systems in different universities;
- Leave with a toolkit of good practices and actions to implement in your own practice.
Target group
We welcome staff from all higher education institutions within Europe, including colleagues from ENLIGHT, having expertise in supporting the well-being of students.
How to apply
Fill the web form by 23 February 2026
Contact
| Contact person: | |
| Accommodation: | https://visit.gent.be/en/overnight-stay |
| Additional information: |
Selection results will be announced by the middle of March 2026. Please do not book your flight or hotel until you have received an acceptance mail. Selection criteria are: - your position; - your motivation; - the profile of your university (aiming for institutional and regional diversity) The maximum number of participants is 25. We will accept 1 or exceptionally 2 staff members per institution. Address of the meeting venue: Campus Ufo Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 45 9000 Gent Belgium Further information about reaching and getting around in Ghent |