Diversity, Inclusion, and Mental Health

 

A Commitment to Inclusion

Despite the university cutting back on diversity and inclusion efforts, our faction remains committed to prioritizing these values. We will actively participate in the newly established Diversity and Inclusion working group, created after the termination of DIBSS. Through our involvement, we aim to ensure that students continue to have a voice in shaping an inclusive faculty environment. Our presence in this group helps maintain a space where all students—regardless of background—feel heard, supported, and represented.

 

Supporting International Students

We recognize the specific challenges faced by international students, especially in light of political instability and evolving university policies. Our goal is to provide timely, relevant information—such as changes to the teaching language or budget-related impacts—through our newsletter and social media channels. Additionally, we aim to collaborate with organizations like ESN and other student associations to learn from their experience and offer similar resources that help students navigate life and study in a new country.

 

Accessible Mental Health Support

To lower the threshold for students seeking support, we will appoint a confidential contact person within our faction. This trusted individual will serve as an accessible first point of contact for faculty-related concerns, and will help guide students to professional resources when needed. We plan to promote this role actively in both English and Dutch. Furthermore, we will explore establishing a wider network of confidential contact persons across different student associations to ensure broader support and mutual collaboration.

 

Expanding Faculty-Wide Wellbeing Efforts

Currently, most mental health initiatives are concentrated in the Psychology program. We believe it is important to extend these efforts to other fields such as Pedagogy and Sociology. We aim to do this by inviting more staff and students to join the Mental Health Working Group. To improve visibility and participation, we will promote the group through newsletters, faculty screens, and flyers placed in staff areas. Our goal is to create a faculty-wide conversation about mental wellbeing that is inclusive, active, and ongoing.