Psychological problems among students

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 ‘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

engineered ‘me’ society. You need to have a jeep and inject yourself with Botox at a young age. And if you call a student gifted or excellent, what are those others? Retarded? Poor? What’s wrong with you if you have ADHD or autism.’ Talking about negative feelings and growing towards a ‘we’ society are the solution.

Listening and suffering

Social Media doesn’t make things easier either. ‘A photo of partying co-students makes it feel like you’re the only one sitting alone at home.’ It’s good if you have someone who’ll listen to you and empathize with you. ‘This creates a bond of trust so that we can look at what a student needs. Young people also need to learn that suffering is part of life and shapes you. As a listening ear is crucial, we teach our lecturers and listening-ear students (Zuyd students you can turn to) to really see students. Everyone can do that. Asking how things are really going or maintaining eye contact for just a little longer offers support.’

Lockdown is deadly

Lacroix is really concerned about the many lockdowns. ‘Going along with the government all the time makes you tired. Some students go crazy in lockdown. Loneliness can even lead to early death because your immune system weakens. Love and touch produce substances in your body that keep you healthy.’ Lacroix hopes that everyone will look out for students more. Tell them that talking to a student psychologist isn’t so strange.

There's always a solution

Marcel Bellefroid Student psychologist

For privacy reasons, ‘Susan’ is not the student's real name.

‘Take all the help you can get!’

‘My father was seeing someone else and that caused a lot of arguments. My parents threw stuff at each other and they each had their own lawyer’, explained Susan (23). The custody battle has left her less able to concentrate on her Speech and Language Therapy study at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.

Text: Judith Houben

Since the divorce, Susan has had no more contact with her father. She’s angry with him. ‘I also have three younger brothers. We felt so powerless when they were arguing. I was already living independently and if I went home at the weekend, I heard everything that had happened and my mother would talk endlessly about how she was feeling.’ Susan’s grandma and grandpa also died during that time. ‘Together with my aunt, they were the only family in the neighbourhood.’

Music helps

Susan’s study is suffering under all the stress. When her school coordinator asks how things are going, she answers: ‘bad’. And then Zuyd’s safety net comes into play. The coordinator advised her to visit student psychologist, Michêlle Lacroix. ‘Because Michêlle is also my mentor, she advised me to talk with one of the other student psychologists.’ That’s how Susan ended up with Marcel Bellefroid. ‘He always has handy tips. For instance, if my mother starts pouring her heart out again, Marcel taught me to say: ‘Oh mum, I’m really not the person you should be saying this to.’ Because I worry a lot, I sleep badly. Until Marcel told me about an app about mindfulness. When I listen to that, I just fall straight asleep. Marcel also said that problems disappear for a while if you play music. And that’s true. I play violin and I sing really loudly in the car along to the radio. That really helps!’

Drugs

In the meantime, the situation at home got worse. Last summer, her brother (15) got involved in drugs and wanted to end his life. ‘I try to be there for him by doing nice things together. He also sometimes asks for money. I find that difficult. I don’t want to say ‘no’ but I also don’t want to give him money for drugs. Marcel suggested that I could also give a gift token, which I thought was ideal.’

Free support!

It’s these handy tips that help Susan keep her head above water. She’d like every student with problems to have such support and someone to trust. ‘Of course the step toward a psychologist is high. But once you’re there, you won’t be sorry. Just think: 'Who cares?' Take care of yourself. Take all the help you can get. It’s free. You get six sessions, plus an introductory meeting. If you have problems, just tell someone. There’s always a solution. Especially at Zuyd. It’s so small that everyone knows each other. At Speech and Language Therapy, there’s a real close connection with all the lecturers. I already notice that I’m getting stronger. Thanks to Marcel.’