Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The University of Antwerp holds its 5th Mind Matters Week, led by Femme Swinnen, with workshops, forest baths, podcasts with Yung Mavu and Anushka Melkonian, and a closing comedy show by Soe Nsuki.
As VRT News reported, the University of Antwerp is marking its 5th Mind Matters Week to draw attention to the growing stress faced by students. The project was started by Femme Swinnen, who notes that many young people struggle to balance classes, jobs, and daily demands. He mentioned that the week gives students a moment to speak about pressure and learn how to manage it.
“This initiative is intended as a preventative measure. Just before the exam period begins, we want to give students some extra encouragement and help them relax,”
Femme Swinnen said.
How is UAntwerp supporting students during its 5th Mind Matters Week?
The programme includes workshops that teach simple skills students can use in their daily routines.
“It shows that the university cares about our well-being. Especially now that exams are approaching, it’s important that we as students not only study, but also think about ourselves,”
said one student.
Swinnen says these tools are meant to guide students throughout their studies and later in their lives.
“Students can come to us not only during Mind Matters week, but also outside of that,”
says Swinnen.
“This week is designed to highlight mental well-being.”
The University of Antwerp is hosting a full series of activities across its campuses for Mind Matters Week. Students can take part in clay and painting workshops, or learn to play the djembe in small groups. The programme also offers quiet moments, including a movie night that gives students time to switch off after classes. The week opened with a forest bath at the Drie Eiken campus in Wilrijk.
“It’s meditating in nature,”
said one of the participants.
“Every campus has something organised. It’s not like you can’t do anything if you’re not at the City Campus.”
Several known guests are visiting the university as part of the programme. Today, Nov 18, 2025, rapper Yung Mavu and actress Anushka Melkonian are recording a live podcast with students on campus. On Friday, Nov 21, 2025, comedian Soe Nsuki will close Mind Matters Week with a comedy show.
Similar initiatives have been held at other universities in recent years. Ghent University organised “Boost Your Mood Week” from 4 to 8 November 2024 to focus on student mental health. Students could join mindfulness and yoga sessions, art therapy workshops, and talks about burnout and eating disorders.
In October 2022, the EUniWell network of 7 European universities held a Mental Health Symposium on 14 and 15 October. The event brought students and experts together to share results from a campus mental health survey and discuss ways to improve support for students.
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