What can you do for your own mental health? During the "Mind Matters" day of action, visitors were able to learn, exchange ideas, and reflect on this topic. The day took place for the first time this year. The conclusion: no one has to deal with their worries alone.
Published on 26 January 2026
Over the last ten years, the general health of students has deteriorated significantly. This is shown by the latest health report from the Techniker Krankenkasse health insurance company from 2023. Only 61 per cent of those surveyed rate their health as very good or good – in 2015, the figure was 84 per cent. Mental stress in particular plays a central role: stress, exam pressure, fears about the future and financial worries have a significant impact on students' mental well-being.
This picture is also evident at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS). In 2024, the THWS Student Health Management (SGM) conducted a survey among students on their health and the need for health promotion. The results were clear: of the areas considered, mental health scored the lowest. Social well-being scored better, and physical health was rated the highest. However, compared to these two factors, students rated the influence of their mental health on their studies as the highest.
Mind Matters: Mind Matters: openness about mental health
Lectures, seminars and projects, exam stress, a part-time job and the need for free time: studying is a challenge. Add mental stress to the mix and it can quickly become too much, turning your time at university into an obstacle. This was the focus of the "Mind Matters" day of action, which took place on 10 October 2025 at the THWS campus in Würzburg. The aim was to raise more openness about mental health and to provide a space for exchange, reflection, and mutual support.
The day was organised by the SGM in cooperation with Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg (JMU) and the Lower Franconia Crisis Network. In addition to interactive information stands, visitors were treated to a programme of specialist lectures and workshops. The event was rounded off by the "Empower & Prevent" exhibition by the Communication Design programme at the Faculty of Design, which addressed the topic of mental health in a variety of creative ways.
The event was aimed at anyone interested, but especially students, and took place for the first time. The date was chosen deliberately: 10 October is World Mental Health Day. That's why one thing was particularly important to the organisers: "We wanted to bring 'Mind Matters' to life," explains Julia Börner, psychologist and SGM employee. "It was about showing: 'I am important and my mental health is important. I am not alone and there are ways and means to get relief.'"
"There are many opportunities to find help."
The numerous information stands on site demonstrated just how diverse these paths can be. A total of 13 initiatives, projects, and institutions presented their services and provided new impetus – from psychotherapeutic counselling and contact points for discrimination, sexual harassment, or violence to support services for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Many of the services are aimed specifically at students. Others exist independently of the higher education institution or university, such as the City of Würzburg's Aktivbüro, the student initiative "blaupause", and the suicide counselling centre. "For me, the biggest lesson is that there is an extremely wide variety of contact points that I was not aware of before," says one visitor at the event. "There are many opportunities to find help."
The SGM is supporting students
The Student Health Management programme at THWS can be an important first point of contact. This is a project that has been funded by the health insurance company AOK since 2023 and aims to provide students with comprehensive health support. The team consists of three psychologists, a social education worker, and two project managers. "Our job at SGM is to help students stay healthy throughout their studies," says Julia Börner, summarising the idea. The services offered range from workshops and individual counselling sessions to the rental of equipment, such as outdoor games and sports equipment for active breaks outdoors. The focus is on topics such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, and exam preparation – factors that have a significant impact on students' well-being.
When planning Mind Matters, the SGM team was able to draw on its daily experience. "We considered the issues that students come to us with and then matched them with our existing expertise," says Julia Börner. The aspects relevant to students' mental health are diverse. It is particularly important to realise that you are not alone in dealing with mental stress. Often, this alone is enough to provide initial relief.
The topics for the action day were chosen based on the everyday lives of students. In addition to the information stands, there was an interactive lecture to raise awareness of students' mental health. Visitors were then able to choose between various workshops. The topics covered included stress management, mindfulness, sleep hygiene, first aid for mental health crises, and nutrition-related mental health.
Mental health as a spectrum
The workshops also focused on the prevention of mental stress. According to Dr Daniel Kilian from the Lower Franconia Crisis Network, addressing this issue is just as important as talking about the illnesses themselves. "Mental health issues are the main reason for long-term absences," he emphasises. People often think in extremes – "mentally healthy" or "mentally ill" – but mental health is actually a spectrum. One visitor summarises her insights as follows: "What I took away from today is that you don't have to have a serious illness to be able to turn to someone for help. Even with mild mental stress, you can find help. You don't have to be afraid to talk about it."
The initial conclusion about the event was positive: "The programme was well received. There was a lot of interaction at the stands, and the workshops were well attended by both staff and students," Julia Börner summarises. The evaluation carried out also confirms the success of the action day and provides valuable suggestions for future formats.
Contact points for support with mental health issues:
- Lower Franconia Crisis Network
- Student health management at THWS
- Healthy University: Health Management at JMU
- Psychotherapeutic counselling centre of the Würzburg Student Services Association
- Wildwasser Würzburg e.V.: Association against sexual violence against girls and women
- SafeSpace JMU: For discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual violence
- Aktivbüro Würzburg
- KIS: Contact and information centre for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses at JMU
- Psychological counselling team at the Protestant Student Community
- Suicide counselling centre in Würzburg
