Following the work carried out by the Mental Health Task Force between late 2021 and late 2024, and in line with the priorities of the current Direction as well as the Vice-Presidencies for Human Development and Academic Affairs, EPFL has established a Mental Health Council.
This Council builds on the continuity of actions already undertaken and aims to strengthen an institutional, coordinated and sustainable approach to mental health for the entire EPFL community. The Mental Health Council is the strategic, advisory and coordinating body that supports EPFL in the transition from a heterogeneous management approach to a proactive, comprehensive and coherent approach to mental health, grounded in evidence-based practices, across the whole of EPFL.
Based on the results of surveys conducted among the community, the Council’s mission and roles are to:
- Advise and provide guidance: The Council formulates recommendations for the development of EPFL’s mental health and well-being strategy.
- Exchange on actions undertaken by services and stakeholders: The Council provides a forum to take stock of mental health actions implemented by the various units.
- Propose initiatives and recommendations to EPFL’s leadership: These proposals are grounded in evidence and aligned with the 15 measures put forward following the surveys (Mental Health Survey and Staff Satisfaction Survey).
- Listen to the community: Create a space for listening where community representatives can express their needs and concerns, fostering dialogue, discussion and the identification of potential actions.
- Monitor and build knowledge: Encourage evidence-based decision-making, support continuous improvement, and contribute to the evaluation of initiatives.
Composition
Members were identified based on their role, expertise, and continuity with the previous Task Force.
The Council meets three to four times per year.
| Volkan Cevher | Co-lead of the Mental Health Council Full Professor, STI Representative of the Teachers Council (CCE) |
| Ines Ariceta | Co-lead of the Mental Health Council Director of the Well-being and Inclusion department (VPH-WINC) |
| Albertine Kolendowska | Coordinator Project Manager (VPH-WINC) |
| Sylvie Berney | Attending Physician at CHUV, Head of Psychotherapy Consultations at EPFL |
| Marie-Claude Cialente | Head of the Student Affairs Service (VPA-SAE) |
| Eric Du Pasquier | Director of the Department of Infrastructure, Security, Safety and Facilities Operations (VPO-SE) |
| Corinne Feuz | Deputy Director of Communication and Spokesperson – (P-Mediacom) |
| Johannes Gräff | Neuroscientist – Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics |
| François Jaccottet | Co-director of the People Experience department (VPH-PEXP) |
| Ingrid Le Duc | Culture @ ENAC President of the EPFL Staff Commission (CoPe) Representative of the Equal Opportunity Office (VPH-WINC-DEI) |
| Philip Mair | Head of the Doctoral School (VPA-EDOC) |
| Emmanuelle Marendaz Colle | Head of VPH Communication |
| Alexandre Mayor | Chaplain |
| Danielle Desravines | Operational Director, Geneva Campus – Representative of the associate campuses (VPH-PEXP) |
| Kamil Rychlewicz | ELSA Representative (scientific staff) |
| Roland Tormey | Head of the Teaching Support Center (VPA-CAPE) |
| [email protected] | Prevention @ AGEPoly – Student Representative |
Contact
For any questions or suggestions:
Albertine Kolendowska, coordinatrice du Conseil Santé Mentale
[email protected]