(Mental) health care

(Mental) Health Care

• Self-help

  Websites and apps are a good first step if you are not doing well. Make sure you don't have to improve everything at once: setting one improvement goal and working with it (possibly with the help of an app) is a good start.

  Physical well-being

  Sleeping problems
  Sleep is important for good health. But what if you can't sleep? With this self-help module you can work on this independently and anonymously!

  Mental well-being

  Therapieland: online modules where you can work at your own pace and time on topics that you need to work on, and where you can learn to deal with difficult thoughts and feelings that you may be struggling with. The website is only in Dutch for now, please contact at  020 771 2848 or send an email to info@therapieland.nl to find out which online programmes you can take in English.

  Concentration problems: Etool if you suffer from concentration problems.

  MoodGYM: interactive modules to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.

  Headspace: a mindfulness training that teaches you how to take a step back from both stress and anxiety, so you are better prepared to respond to stressful thoughts and situations.

  Daybook: this app helps you record your daily activities. This gives you insight into the influence of your activities on your mood. It then gives you more insight into what might help you in difficult moments. The student psychological counsellor may ask you to keep daily records. This app can be useful for that too.

• What to do in case of stress, anxiety or loneliness

  Stress, anxiety thoughts and loneliness
  Can't concentrate because of recurring or persistent fear thoughts? Sometimes it doesn't feel like it, but here too you can do something. Please read on. 

  Evaluate how you are doing
  Are you worried about yourself? Evaluate calmly and objectively how you are doing. How do I feel today? How is this compared to yesterday or this morning? To keep track of this you can use, for example, the Daybook app.

  Pay attention to the difficult thoughts and feelings
  People often tend to distance themselves from difficult thoughts and feelings. They do this by, among other things, looking for distraction. In practice, resisting and running away from your emotions actually costs more energy. Stop that struggle by taking a moment to examine your difficult thoughts and feelings. 

  Plan a moment to pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. You can do this by brooding for 15 minutes, but also by challenging your thoughts. 

  Thought provoking goes as follows: take a close look at your most difficult thought. Examine it by asking critical questions. Perhaps there is a helpful question here for you: 

  • Is it true what I am thinking? 
  • What is the evidence for and against the thought? 
  • Are there alternative ways of looking at the situation? 
  • Does it help me to think this way, what does it get me? 
  • If my sister/boyfriend/brother/father/mother said this to me, how would I react? 
  • What influence do I have on it at the moment? And what not? 
  • Does it help me to worry so much about something I have no influence over? 

  And, which question appeals to you the most? 

  What helped you in the past
  Have there been times before in your life when you experienced these feelings? How did you deal with them? What helped? What did not?

  Breathing or relaxation exercises
  These exercises help you to calm your thoughts and feelings. You can use various apps (such as Headspace) or videos on YouTube.

  Important: tell others how you are doing. Even when things are not going well, find support and share your feelings and worries. Try to accept your emotions and let them be. Give yourself time to understand your feelings and needs. Many people think that they are burdening others when they share their difficult thoughts and feelings. Know that this insecurity is normal and shared by many people. See what happens when you gently share your concerns. Who knows how it will turn out. 

• Healthcare for internationals

  General practitioner (GP)

  The Dutch health care system and how to get access to health care services might be different than what you’re used to. A General Practitioner (GP) is your first point of contact for health care in the Netherlands, as they provide referrals to all specialists and, if necessary, to a hospital. Registering with a local practice is one of the first things you need to do.
  
  As an international student at VU Amsterdam, you can register at the University General Practice. In this video we will explain how you can register. More information can also be found in this document. 

  The Dutch College of GP's and H4i (Healthcare for internationals) recently introduced a new online service GPinfo.nl. GPinfo provides online information in English, such as information about the most common health complaints, tips on what you can do yourself if you feel unwell, what to expect from your GP and how to prepare for your GP visit, how the Dutch healthcare system works and what to do if you need other medical expertise.

  Insurance

  Dutch law requires all international students to be properly insured by an internationally recognised insurance agency for the duration of your stay. It is mandatory to have a valid health insurance that covers all of the Dutch health care costs.

  European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

  Please first check carefully whether you already have a valid health insurance that will cover your stay in the Netherlands. If you are an EU student, you can apply for a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your own insurance company. Click here to find out more about your country’s EHIC application process. Here you can find more information about what EHIC does and does not cover.

  AON Insurance

  You still might need to take out an extra insurance to cover your stay abroad. For international students we offer an exclusive premium package at AON Insurance. This package is especially designed for and recommended by VU Amsterdam. If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you can opt for the additional insurance package AON ICS Start+. If you are a non-EU student, you can apply for the AON ICS Complete+ package, which offers an extensive health package. Please find extensive information on this subject here and have a look at the Nuffic website. More information about AON Student Insurance can also be found in this flyer, and more information on AON's coverage can be found here.

• Counseling and psychological support at VU Amsterdam

  Student psychological counsellor

  During your studies at VU Amsterdam it is possible that you’ll experience study-related personal problems, such as performance anxiety, study stress, lack of discipline and/or motivation or feelings of loneliness. The student psychological counsellors offer individual counselling, workshops and study groups, or professional advice on a referral for more extensive mental health care. Are you in need of support? You can book an intake appointment with our student psychological counsellors. The student psychological counsellors are employees of VU Amsterdam, which means you do not need health insurance or a referral from your GP to talk to them. All staff are bound by a strict code of confidentiality. They will never discuss the reasons for your consultation with anyone else without your permission. Please do keep in mind that the student psychological counselors are not able to provide help for acute, severe psychological problems. In this case, please contact your General Practitioner. 

  Do you want quick and short advice? The student psychological counsellors also organize weekly walk-in consultation hours (max. 10 minutes). More information can be found on this page (once logged in you will find more details about the walk-in consultation hour).

  Caring Universities

  Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is part of the Caring Universities project, an initiative aimed at improving the psychological well-being of students. An anonymous online questionnaire gives you insight into your own mental health and provides personalised feedback on your mood, stress, and anxiety based on your answers. You choose what to do with the feedback. If you would like to use the results of the questionnaire yourself, have a look at the free online programmes of Caring Universities. If you want, they can also help you with a personal online coach.

  NEWConnective

  NEWConnective organises events about personal development, life questions, (old) wisdom and other quests for meaning. Think of dinners in which prejudices are challenged, workshops on identity and conversations about loss in bereavement groups. You will not be sent home without new insights and a sense of connection. You can find out more at newconnective.nl.

• Counseling and psychological support outside of VU Amsterdam

  Mental healthcare assistant at GP

  Most GP practices also offer guidance by a Praktijkondersteuner Huisartsen Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg (better known as POH-GGZ). This is a mental healthcare assistant practitioner (often a nurse or psychologist) who knows a lot about mental health issues. The POH-GGZ can either offer you direct guidance to overcome your problems, or can assist you when you are in need of a referral for more specialized mental health care.
  
  Appointments with the POH-GGZ are covered by your health insurance and no additional payment is required. Also, the POH-GGZ often have short waiting lists, meaning that an appointment could be scheduled on (relatively) short notice.

  GGD Amsterdam

  As a student, you meet new people, create memories and develop your identity. For many people, it’s the time of their lives. But student life can also be difficult. You might feel pressure to do well or struggle with feelings of loneliness. It’s totally normal to not feel ‘okay’.

  Everyone struggles with mental health problems from time to time. Talking about your feelings to people you’re close with usually helps. Need extra help? GGD Amsterdam offers you some options on their website.

  Frisse Gedachtes platform

  Do you sometimes feel lonely, do you find it difficult to study and/or motivate yourself, or do you just need someone who listens to you? Your student days are not always fun. Frisse Gedachtes is a free platform where you can contact psychology students or experience experts anonymously. You choose the student you want to chat with anonymously and for free.

  UpTalk

  UpTalk is an initiative of Thrive Amsterdam Mentaal Gezond in cooperation with Mindmasters, Jouw GGD and @Ease. You can come here for a free and accessible way to present your mental problems to a professional coach. The coaches offer a listening ear and give tips and advice. And if necessary, they help you to prevent new or worse problems. Check out the English flyer for a short impression on what UpTalk does. Or call 06 1192 0306 (every working day from 9:00 to 17:00), have a chat with a coach or drop by for a chat at an @ease location in Amsterdam. (Unfortunately, the website of UpTalk is only in Dutch.)

  The Luisterlijn

  The Luisterlijn offers a listening ear day and night for people who need a confidential conversation. They can be reached via telephone (available 24/7 at 088 0767 000), chat and e-mail. 

  Red Cross Helpline

  The helpline of the Red Cross offers a listening ear, advice or extra help and you can reach them at 070 – 44 55 678 (Monday to Thursday: 8:30 – 21:00, Friday 8:30 – 17:00, Saturday 8:30 – 14:00). They offer help in many languages, for example English, Chinese, Turkish and Moroccan-Arabic.

  113 Suicide prevention

  113 Suicide Prevention is the national Dutch suicide prevention centre. They offer several mental health services, such as crisis chat / telephone, chat therapy, self-help course and self-tests. They also offer help if you are worried someone you know will harm themselves. 113 Suicide Prevention is reachable 24/7.

  @ease

  Students who are struggling and need to talk to someone in person can go to an @ease location in Amsterdam (please check the opening times). Fellow students will be there for you to listen and offer a helping hand. If you need further support, @ease volunteers can help you find the right professional help. 

  Blijf Groep

  The Blijf Groep (in Dutch Kenniscentrum Eer & Veiligheid) offers help and advice to persons dealing with (the threat of) honour-related violence. The employees of the Blijf Group are specialised in recognising signs of honour-related violence. They know the problems and sensitivities victims may have to deal with. They think along with them about solutions and take into account the bond that victims feel with their family.

  The staff of the Blijf Group will hold a walk-in consultation hour at VU Amsterdam (room HG 0E-74A in the main building) on the following Wednesdays from 14:00 to 16:00:

  • May 2024: Wednesday, 1, 15 & 29 May
  • June 2024: Wednesday, 12 & 26 June 
  • July 2024: Wednesday, 10 & 24 July 
  • August 2024: no consultation hour 
  • September 2024: Wednesday, 4 & 18 September 
  • October 2024: Wednesday, 2, 16 & 30 October 
  • November 2024: Wednesday, 13 & 27 November 
  • December 2024: Wednesday, 11 December 

  It is not necessary to make an appointment. You may have to wait for a while because someone else is in the room. Whenever you discuss a situation, it is always confidential.
  Please note that from 1 May 2024, the walk-in consultancy only will take place on Wednesday.

  Mentaal Vitaal

  Mentaal Vitaal is a website and an information line with reliable and scientific information about mental health. You will also find tips, exercises, tests and an info line. You can chat, email or call (anonymously). 

  The “Mentaal Vitaal Infolijn” has a telephone line, but can also be reached via email and chat. It's for anyone who has a question about mental health. You can call or chat to ask a question, get tips or for a listening ear. Even if you are worried about someone else.

  Mental Vitaal is part of the Trimbos Institute.

• Physical Health Check

  Fitsurance Physical Health Check

  Perhaps you are a starting athlete, a gym enthusiast or you simply want to get your healthy lifestyle back on track. Whatever the reason, the Fitsurance Physical Health Check is for everyone who wants to gain more insight into their health! Discover how healthy you are with the Fitsurance Physical Health Check. It gives you an insight into how you can improve your health, vitality and energy. Under the guidance of the Fitsurance team, you will undergo several tests in the Fitsurance Lab at VU Amsterdam. Fitsurance offers different tests depending on your needs. Afterwards, we discuss the results of the measurements and will help you on your way to a healthier lifestyle with personal advice.

  The benefits

  • A clear overview of your health and vitality
  • The first step towards a healthier lifestyle
  • Directly applicable
  • Easy to add a follow-up Check

  Book it now!

• Ask for help if you can't manage

  Know that you are and remain welcome at your academic advisor and the student psychological counsellors. And for a listening ear, a good conversation and help navigating within VU Amsterdam, we recommend the Student Wellbeing Point (see information below).