Mental Health Week

Feeling powerless? Get involved!

10:00–12:00, AStA Floor, Room A2130 (Conference Room, “Konferenzraum”), Open Discussion and Breakfast, language: german

Do you feel like you want to have a greater say at the university? Do you share our sense of powerlessness? Then come to our breakfast and discussion, and let’s brainstorm ideas together on how we can get involved and make our voices heard! We’d appreciate it if you could bring a small something for breakfast. 

The University of Bremen’s Inclusion Action Plan: From strategic document to practice, and what this has to do with mental health during your studies.

14:15–15:15, room: SFG 2080, Dr. Lisa Spanka, language: german 

With the Inclusion Action Plan, the Academic Senate of the University of Bremen has adopted a document aimed at promoting the participation of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses at the university. The Action Plan addresses all student groups at the university and thus also focuses on the needs of students.

This presentation introduces the Action Plan with a focus on the measures aimed at ensuring equal participation for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and illustrates how these measures are being implemented at the university. Following the presentation, we will have time for questions and a group discussion on the opportunities as well as potential gaps in the Action Plan regarding the promotion of mental health during university studies.

Dr. Lisa Spanka is the Inclusion referent and Deputy Director of the Office for Equal Opportunity at the University of Bremen. She is a cultural studies scholar and a certified coach (VNB, IHK Hannover).

Joint Mental Health Walk (open to everyone!)

16:00–17:00 (come and go as you please), meeting point: Glass Hall, language: german and englisch

Amid stressful university deadlines and pressure, we’d like to enjoy the fresh air together on a walk. Feel free to stop by, chat with others, and treat yourself to a break! The walk is scheduled for one hour, but of course you can leave earlier if that works better for you! We look forward to seeing you!

Is studying a Risk? How Are Students Doing in Germany and at the University of Bremen?

10:15–11:45, room:GW1-HS H1010, Dr. Stefanie Helmer, language: german

Students face various challenges in their daily university life. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been increased discussion about mental health during studying. This raises the question: What factors have a particular impact on students’ health?
This presentation will share the latest findings on the health situation of students. Topics will include stressors in daily student life and their potential effects on mental health, such as depressive moods or substance use. Additionally, a new survey on student mental health will be presented, designed to highlight both experiences and challenges.

Get to know "brynja e.V."

14:00-15:30, Beloevard, Brynja e.V., language: german and english

Low-threshold mental health support should be available to all! We at brynja e.V. combine therapeutic, community based and socially critical approaches to mental health into a diverse range of workshops, classes and events. All of which are taught by qualified professionals, offer room for exchange of personal experiences and learn new perspectives. Our initiative is completely run by volounteers, based on donations and cooperations with the local cultural and mental health scene. If you want to know more about us, check out our Instagram (@brynja_raum), drop by our booth and have a chat with us!

What do you need at the university? 

14:00–15:30, Boulevard, Pauline Kriegler, Miriam Schachtebeck, and Anik Weselmann, language: german

Three students—Pauline Kriegler, Miriam Schachtebeck, and Anik Weselmann—from the Public Health program at the University of Bremen are exploring perspectives on mental health in everyday student life.

At an interactive station, participants have the opportunity to share thoughts, experiences, and ideas about what should change in everyday university life or on campus to improve students’ mental health. The goal is not to develop ready-made solutions immediately, but rather to bring experiences to light, encourage dialogue, and raise awareness of mental health challenges in everyday university life.
The collected contributions and results will then be compiled to capture key thoughts and make them available for further discussion

Voicing Emotions: A Poetry Slam Workshop

16:00–17:00, room: SFG 2080, Lena Sterzik, language: german and english

In this poetry slam workshop, we want to come together in a relaxed setting and write together. We’ll do writing exercises, learn in a playful way to step out of our comfort zones on stage, and explore how creative writing can help us express our own feelings and thoughts. In a poetry slam, almost anything goes: you can make people laugh, cry, or simply think. Poetry slam isn’t just an opportunity for creative expression. It also creates a space where we can give voice to our feelings and draw attention to issues that matter to us.
There are no limits to your creativity. The workshop is the perfect setting to try out creative writing in a relaxed atmosphere and discover it for yourself!

Lena Sterzik has been taking the stage on and off for the past five years to participate in slams and has performed at events such as the Day of Action Against Discrimination at the University of Bremen. For her, writing has always been an outlet to gain some distance from the stresses of everyday life and process her emotions.

Joint Care Walk (for people with caregiving responsibilities) 

9:30–10:30 (come and go as you please), Meeting point: Family Room (entrance through the campus kids rooms on the Boulevard), language: german and english

Would you like to connect with others at the university who share caregiving responsibilities (such as raising children or caring for family members) while taking a short walk? Then please join us for our group care walk! In a relaxed setting, we’ll explore some university spaces that can be used by people with caregiving responsibilities and have a chance to chat—children are also warmly invited! The walk is scheduled for one hour, but of course you can leave earlier if that works better for you. We look forward to seeing you! 

Self-management techniques in everyday student life

10:30-11:30, Room: SFG 1080, Christian Maerten, language: german 

In their day-to-day student life, students are faced with a variety of, often new, challenges relating to self-organisation: task and daily planning, time management and focused work are examples of demands that many students have to cope with at a new level of intensity during their studies. This lecture will present self-management methods that can be helpful in this regard. It serves as an introduction to the topic of self-management and is an invitation to continue exploring such tools independently.

Christian Maerten is a freelance coach and trainer who runs seminars on self-management topics as part of the Studierwerkstatt. 

The Awareness Network Introduces Itself

12:00–13:00, room: SFG 2010, Awareness Network, language: german

We, the Awareness Network, are a volunteer group of students made up of members from the AStA, the StuKo, interested individuals, and the BaS. We advocate for students’ needs in the area of awareness and strive to raise awareness and create visibility. Feel free to stop by and get to know us and our work.

Utopia now. “I’ll make the world the way I like it”

13:00–16:00, Small Studio ("Kleines Atelier") in GW2 (Room B3800), StugA Art, language: german 

What would a university look like where you could truly feel at home? A university without constant pressure to perform? With a greater focus on students? What would need to change, and what would you hope for?

In our workshop, we’d like to work with you to design such a dream university. We’ll start with your own experiences related to college life and mental health. Through painting, writing, photography, and/or collage, we’ll develop individual and collective visions of what university could feel like.

There’s no “right” or “wrong,” and no prior artistic experience is required. All participants decide for themselves how much they’d like to share. We’re really looking forward to your ideas!

Studying with a Mental Health Condition: Information on Accommodations and Possible Learning Strategies

10:00–11:00, room: FVG M2010, language: german

16% of students in Germany struggle with significant to very significant challenges in their studies due to a chronic illness or disability. Of these, 65% are affected by a mental health condition (Student Survey in Germany, Summer Semester 2021; DZHW, 2023). This seminar will explain possible learning strategies and options for compensating for disadvantages for students affected by a mental health condition, and will provide a forum for questions and discussion.

Cordula Schrör is a psychotherapist and works as a psychological counselor and director at the PBS counseling center of the Bremen Student Services Association. The PBS consists of two departments: Social Counseling serves as a point of contact for students with social and financial concerns; Psychological Counseling provides support for study-related and personal problems through individual counseling, groups, and workshops.

Dr. Ingrid Zondervan leads the Contact and Information Center for Students with Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses (KIS). The KIS is a counseling service for students with visible or invisible physical or mental impairments and provides guidance on accommodations during their studies, study organization, hardship regulations, accommodations for university applications, and available support services. 

Nutrition and Mental Health?!

14:15-15:45, GW A1250, Katrin Sebastian: language: german

Nutrition can have a positive impact on mental health - what does that mean for everyday life?
What are the most reliable nutritional theories, and what questions do you have about them? 
Would you like to learn more about your “daily diet” or about specific foods, ideas, or trends? 

I’d like to provide an initial overview of anti-inflammatory foods and gut-friendly nutrition.
We can discuss your topics as a group and share our thoughts, but medical advice cannot be provided in this context.

Kathrin Sebastian is the Central Women's Referent and a scientific researcher in Department 12 of Educational Sciences at the University of Bremen.

Mental Health Journey: Lessons and Reflections

11:00-12:00, room: GW1 A0150, Prof. Sarahi Garcia, language: englisch

In this session, Sarahi Garcia will share personal reflections on her mental health journey while navigating academia, migration, motherhood, and identity. Through a short introductory talk based on her essay A Mental Health Path: Lessons and Reflections, the session will explore the tension between achievement and well-being. The goal of the session is to create an open and honest conversation around mental health, personal growth, and the complexity of being human in demanding environments. The format will include a short 15-minute presentation followed by an extended open discussion where attendees are encouraged to ask questions and share reflections.

Let’s Talk – Open Disscussion for (International) Students

12:15-13:15, room: GW1 A0150, BaS-Team, language: englisch

What helps students get along well during their studies? What challenges do they face? How can international students be better supported in their day-to-day university life? 
In this open workshop, we want to start a conversation, share experiences, and discuss what it takes to feel more comfortable and better supported at the university. Together, we want to create a space for dialogue, new perspectives, and your voices.

Understanding Climate Emotions & Building Resilience

13:30–15:00, room: GW1 A0150,Gesa von Blanckenburg, language: german

Psychologists for Future (Psy4F) Bremen explores socio-ecological change and climate justice from a psychological perspective. This workshop focuses on climate emotions—that is, everything the climate crisis triggers within us and how we can cope with these feelings. We want to strengthen the participants’ resilience together. The workshop is for anyone who is interested—whether you’re simply curious, already engaged with the topic, or have no prior exposure to it! How each individual chooses to contribute to the workshop is entirely up to you. We look forward to seeing you!

Gesa is a psychology student and has been active with Psychologists for Future Bremen for the past 18 months. Her focus is on climate justice and the protection of democracy, causes she supports through her volunteer work. She is happy to make a positive difference through our work and looks forward to connecting with new people.