Zuyd helps
Psychological problems increasing among students ‘It’s no secret that I see a psychologist’, stated crown princess Amalia in the biography ‘Amalia’ by comedian, Claudia de Breij. Student psychologist Michêlle Lacroix of Zuyd University of Applied Sciences is grateful to the crown princess for standing up for psychology. Text: Judith Houben
18 / voorbij zuyd
‘Talking to a psychologist shouldn’t be taboo’, stated student psychologist Michêlle Lacroix. And yet, young people are often called ‘snowflakes’ if they do that. But students are increasingly struggling with questions such as: ‘who am I?’, ‘what do I do after studying?’, ‘how do I make sure I pass that test or graduate in time?’. Study stress Students are increasingly unable to cope with their lives. Lacroix: ‘Much more than twenty years ago. Studying looks cool with lots of beer and fun. But it’s also become
stressful.’ Together with her Zuyd colleagues, student psychologists Marcel Bellefroid, Dianne Verluyten and Jolanda Navis, Lacroix is seeing how issues such as these are becoming increasingly complex. A student recently called her from the school toilet. She was cutting her arm with a knife. She couldn’t cope with the pressure of a test. This is often due to heartbreak, a sick mother, divorced parents or bullying in childhood.’ Jeep and Botox Lacroix is touching on a sore point: ‘We’re living in a socially
