Support and wellbeing

The student psychologist offers short-term counselling (maximum of five sessions). Together, we will work on strengthening your resilience and finding tools that will help you in the long term. This service is free of charge and confidential.

Please note: the student psychologist provides counselling for mild psychological issues. We do not make diagnoses and do not offer crisis support or treatment for serious psychological or psychiatric problems. If you require specialised help, we can assist you in obtaining a referral for mental health care from your general practitioner.

Not sure which type of help best suits your needs? 
Then make an appointment for a walk-in consultation of approximately 15 minutes with a student psychologist.

We always start with an intake interview. We listen to your story and determine how we can best help you. The interview lasts approximately 60 minutes and takes place online or in person.

The psychologist will then make a follow-up appointment or advise you to follow group training via Student Training & Support, for example.

During office hours:
Call your GP (e.g. Student Medical Center:
Tel. 0317-466600), they can help and will contact the crisis service if necessary.

In the evening or at the weekend:
Call the GP Emergency service Huisartsenspoedpost - Gelderse Vallei - in Ede (0318-200800).

Life-threatening situations
Call 112 Alarm

Are you thinking about suicide? Talk about it!
And/or call free of charge (0800-0)113 - suicide prevention or chat. Also if you are concerned about someone else.

Concerning behaviour
Are you seriously concerned about a fellow student? Call 0800-1205
Meldpunt Zorgwekkend Gedrag.

After receiving your submission, we will contact you. We will then schedule an intake interview or advise you on other next steps. Please keep an eye on your (WUR) mailbox!

The waiting time is currently 3 to 4 weeks.

The WUR student psychologists work in accordance with the professional code of conduct of the NIP (Dutch Institute of Psychologists). This guarantees the quality and integrity of our counselling. In addition, the team of psychologists uses peer supervision to help each other and learn from each other.

If you encounter inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour as a student, you can contact the confidential counsellor for students, even – or especially – if you are unsure.

The confidential counsellor will advise and guide you on the possible steps you can take. For example, they will help you discuss your experiences with the other party, but you are always in control! They work independently and everything you discuss is confidential.

Sabah Nhass and Klaartje Thierry are confidential advisors for students at WUR. How can they support you?

• They offer a listening ear;
• Support if you experience undesirable or inappropriate behaviour;
• Together with you, they will seek solutions through dialogue;
• They discuss possible steps;
• They provide guidance if you wish;
• They refer you to support services (internal and external);
• The confidential advisor works confidentially and you remain in control!

As an independent counsellor, we help you look at the situation from a distance. We listen to your story, think along with you and explore your options, including their pros and cons. We look at how you can improve the situation for yourself or what other action you can take. This gives you the space to decide for yourself whether you want to take steps and, if so, which ones. We guide you on your way to a solution.

''You can contact me if you are unsure of how to proceed in situations that you find unpleasant or if you are facing a complex situation and would like to discuss how to approach it. I can assist you in finding the right path within WUR.''

As a confidential counsellor, I am accustomed to engaging in frequent dialogue with others, listening attentively, working in a solution-oriented manner, and viewing the broader context within organisations.

During counselling sessions, I will listen to you without judgement and help you explore the various options/solutions to help you make the right decisions for you. Unfortunately, you do not always have control over what happens to you, but together with you, I will help you gain control over how to deal with what has happened to you. You are in control, we will do it at your pace and I will guide you through it.

My family, friends and sport are important to me. I studied occupational and organisational psychology at Utrecht University and have broad experience as an organisational consultant, coach, trainer and selection psychologist. I have children who are studying and am familiar with the challenges students can face. I would be happy to think along with you in confidence!

''I create a confidential atmosphere – without judgement – where you, as a student, can freely share your story. I am ready to support students, with the main goal of creating a safe and inclusive study environment.''

I have over twenty years of experience in mental health care, which is invaluable in my role as a confidential advisor.

I take a broad perspective and quickly get to the heart of the matter. I use empathy to establish a deeper connection.

My ethnic and cultural background enables me to work in a diversity-sensitive manner. I am attentive to the needs, wishes and possibilities of students from diverse backgrounds.

Cherishing my family, expressing my creativity and enjoying nature are important to me. I have a wonderful 14-year-old son who is a product of two different cultures.

Undesirable behaviour is behaviour that you find so annoying that it interferes with your studies. No one but you can determine what is undesirable.

Bullying, (sexual) harassment, discrimination, threats, stalking and gossip are forms of undesirable behaviour. Even very subtle forms can make you feel unsafe and reduce your enjoyment of your studies. It can even lead to stress and psychological or physical complaints. So don't just put up with it!

• You receive intrusive (WhatsApp) messages from a fellow student;
• You experience discrimination or racism;
• You receive more than average attention from a teacher;
• You hear sexually suggestive comments or jokes, or you are touched unnecessarily, grabbed or blocked;
• You are ignored by fellow students or you always get the most unpleasant tasks in group assignments;
• You feel uncomfortable about being involved in gossip about a fellow student, a lecturer, an advisor or other people you deal with during your studies;
• You feel that you are not taken seriously by fellow students, lecturers or University staff.
  
  You can also contact the confidential advisor if you witness inappropriate behaviour directed at others.

It is advisable to first discuss the undesirable behaviour with the other person. Perhaps they are unaware of the effect their behaviour has on you. You can tell them that you find their behaviour undesirable, hurtful or even threatening. You can also discuss it with someone you trust, such as a teacher, study advisor or friend. If that does not resolve the issue, or if it is not possible, for example because the behaviour is too serious, please contact a confidential advisor.

The ombudsperson contributes to a structurally safer working and studying environment for employees (including PhD students) and students. From an independent and authoritative position, the ombudsperson identifies major trends in the field of social safety and provides advice on these.

The social safety contact point is for anyone who wants to know something, ask questions, report something or talk about social safety, or who does not know where to turn. This means that both students and staff at WUR can contact the social safety contact point with questions, reports or complaints about undesirable behaviour. This also applies if you are unsure how to deal with a situation or do not know who to turn to.