{"id":179632,"date":"2025-06-03T14:24:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T12:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=179632"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:50","slug":"wellbeing-queen-rianne-van-der-zanden-students-need-to-learn-how-to-deal-with-pressure-and-hold-their-own-in-a-complex-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2025\/06\/03\/wellbeing-queen-rianne-van-der-zanden-students-need-to-learn-how-to-deal-with-pressure-and-hold-their-own-in-a-complex-world\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Wellbeing queen\u2019 Rianne van der Zanden: \u2018Students need to learn how to deal with pressure and hold their own in a complex world\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Programme manager for Student Wellbeing Rianne van der Zanden is retiring. Over the past five years, she has been involved in setting up the Living Room, developing the Student Welfare Platform and launching the wellbeing app ROOM. On the occasion of her retirement, five questions about students\u2019 mental health.<\/p>\n

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The \u2018wellbeing queen\u2019 Rianne van der Zanden. <\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEsther Dijkstra<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Various studies show that student wellbeing is under pressure: students are experiencing burnout symptoms and study stress. Is the state of students\u2019 mental health really that bad?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re seeing signals from all sides, not just in research results but also from mental health services. They report that suicide is the leading cause of death in this age group, and that the number is slightly increasing.<\/p>\n

\u201cGPs are also telling us they\u2019re prescribing more antidepressants to young adults. TNO carried out research into burnout and sick leave among young professionals. Among those with an academic background in particular, there\u2019s been a clear rise in burnout-related dropouts over the years. So yes, something is definitely going on, and we need to take it seriously.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd don\u2019t forget, students can attend classes, go to parties, have fun, and still be deeply unhappy.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The vibrant Living Room in the Langeveld building, which Van der Zanden has contributed to.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEsther Dijkstra<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

How does the Wellbeing Week help student? Does an ice bath contribute to students\u2019 mental health?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, a single Wellbeing Week won\u2019t achieve much on its own, we need to take an integrated approach to student wellbeing. The Wellbeing Week serves multiple purposes: we want to raise students\u2019 awareness of the importance of wellbeing and introduce them to different ways of working on their personal development.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also aim to create a sense of connection. The events strengthen the feeling of community on campus. Students meet each other, try new experiences and see that wellbeing is something the university also values. That sense of connection, that sense of belonging, contributes to both mental wellbeing and academic success.\u201d<\/p>\n

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After five years, Van der Zanden will leave the university. <\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEsther Dijkstra<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

What would the university ideally look like when it comes to students\u2019 mental health?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to see a university where there\u2019s no taboo around seeking help, and where students know where to turn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWellbeing should be at the heart of education. That means it should be accessible and integrated into the study programmes. We\u2019re currently running a pilot in collaboration with the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences and the Erasmus MC, to integrate wellbeing into the curriculum.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re developing an online platform with a broad range of options: from modules by Caring Universities<\/a>, to talks with a student psychologist and sport and leadership training. At the start of the academic year, students choose from this selection. They earn credits for it, depending on the level of intensity. Some parts, like the ROOM app, are more light-hearted. Others, such as the online modules on procrastination and self-image, are more time-consuming. This allows students to create a package that fits their own development. In this way, wellbeing becomes a normal and valuable part of their education and students learn to maintain their mental health in a structured way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\u2018The society doesn\u2019t just need skilled professionals, but also resilient people\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

Do you believe the university is responsible for students\u2019 mental health?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, absolutely. If you ignore the person behind the student, you\u2019re missing opportunities. Our university wants to create societal impact. That means seeing the person behind the student. The university is also part of society, and that society doesn\u2019t just need skilled professionals, but also resilient people. If you only train students in subject knowledge but don\u2019t help them prepare mentally for life in society, then you\u2019re falling short. Students need to learn how to deal with pressure, build resilience and hold their own in a complex world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do you look back with pride on what you\u2019ve achieved at EUR?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely. I\u2019ve had more than five intense years at EUR, and I\u2019ve come to know the university as a dynamic and pleasant organisation. I\u2019ve really grown to love EUR.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud that we\u2019ve taken an integrated approach to student wellbeing. That means: no scattered interventions, but engagement across all levels of the organisation. In that respect, we\u2019re leading the way within the academic world.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019m proud of the team. We\u2019ve put together an interdisciplinary team, with incredible passion and dedication. I\u2019m going to miss them terribly, I know that for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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