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 seven working 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.
The Task Force will also design a training program on how to support those facing mental health challenges. In addition, from 9 to 13 October 2023, Health Days will be held on the EPFL campus, with stands, workshops, round tables and conferences dedicated to mental and physical health.
We would be happy to receive your questions, comments or suggestions at the following address: [email protected]
Task Force members
- Inès Ariceta, Trus 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)
- Belias Evangelos, Coordinator PolyDoc, representing doctoral students
- Berney Sylvie, Associate Physician, Head of EPFL’s Psychotherapeutic Consultation Team
- Chuard Daniel, Deputy, Associate Vice Presidency for Student Affairs and Outreach (AVP-SAO)
- 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
- Galina Glousker, EPFL Postoc association (EDPA)
- 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)
- Noth Claudia, Director, Department of Human Resources
- Rita Sarkis, Peer2Peer program
- Tormey Roland, Head, Teaching Support Center (CAPE)
- Zoé Marsaly, Student, Head of AGEPoly prevention team, representing non-doctoral students
- Van De Poel Fanny, Social Counselor, Student Affairs Department (SAE)
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Working groups
This working group is tasked with designing and conducting a survey of the entire EPFL community (staff and students) in order to gather data on the issues affecting mental health, to pinpoint any specific problems, to identify needs and to determine what measures need to be implemented.
Members: Kristin Becker, Roland Tormey, Daniel Chuard, Maria Reva, Belias Evangelios
This working group is tasked with designing a mental health first-responder training. These courses will be open to all members of the EPFL community and will teach participants how to spot the early signs of mental health issues and equip them to provide appropriate support. First responders are not expected to fulfill the role of qualified therapists. Instead, they will be trained to help people who are struggling and explain where they can get further support.
Members: Kathryn Hess Bellwald, Sylvie Berney, Ofra Hazanov, Zoé Marsaly, Philip Mair, Nathalie Ritter
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.
Members: Albertine Kolendowska, Laureline Duvillard, Maria Pavlou, Fanny Van De Poel, Prabhu Prasad Swain, Valérie Kaltenrieder, Ahmed Elalamy
This working group is tasked with developing measures and initiatives to improve the well-being of the employees (administrative and technical staff). Theses measures will be based on the results of the mental health survey conducted within the EPFL community.
Members : Ingrid Le Duc; Hadzilacos Rigas ; Caroline Ferguson ; Monika Salas Tesar; Beanta Alberink; Irina Sakarova-Quitt; Natalie Meystre; Michel Peiris; Albertine Kolendowska; François Gaillard; Cesar Augusto Jaton; Sophie Flynn; Yvette Gallay; Stéphane Vasseur
This working group is tasked with developing initiatives to improve the well-being of the scientific staff. These measures will be based on the results of the mental health survey conducted within the EPFL community.
Members: Rita Sarkis ; Carmen Sandi; Tiffany Abitbol; Georg Fantner; Kelvin Lau; Jade Cock; Cassandre Contré; Guillaume Dalle
This working group is tasked with developing initiatives to improve the well-being of the students. Theses measures will be based on the results of the mental health survey conducted within the EPFL community.
Members: group in the process of being formed
This working group is tasked with developing initiatives to improve the well-being of the EPFL community. These measures will be based on the results of the mental health survey conducted within the EPFL community.
Members: Kathryn Hess, Albertine Kolendowska,Siroune Der Sarkissian, Ines Ariceta, Eric Du Pasquier, Roland Tormey, Corinne Feuz, Rita Sarkis, Ingrid Le duc, Xavier Gravend, Kristin Becker, Galina Glousker
Schedule
May 2023: Survey report and results shared with upper management
Summer 2023: Task Force report and recommendations shared with upper management
Start of the 2023-2024 school year: Initial measures implemented
9-13 October 2023: Mental Health and Well-Being Week and Health Days
Psychosocial risks
Get help and support in the event of a threat to physical or mental health, or report mobbing, harassment or other issues.
