Engage. Empower. Encourage.
From Exchange to Impact: Advancing Student Mental Health in Universities
An Erasmus+ programme for professionals shaping student support across Europe.
Join university professionals from across Europe to explore, share, and develop innovative strategies for supporting student mental health.
This Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme combines interactive workshops, collaborative projects, and international exchange to equip participants with practical tools and insights. It includes a Standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certificate course that empowers and equips individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support students and others participants how to provide initial support to another person who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received or the crisis resolves. Added-Value: After completing the course, participants can take a standardized online accreditation exam to receive a personalized digital accreditation certificate.
Beyond the programme, participants become part of a Community of Impact, continuing to drive positive change in their institutions and networks.
About the Programme
Student mental health has become an increasingly important topic for universities across Europe. Rising academic pressure, social challenges and global uncertainties have contributed to a growing need for effective support structures within higher education institutions.
This Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) brings together university staff from different European institutions to exchange experiences, explore best practices and develop strategies to support student wellbeing. The programme is designed specifically for professionals who work closely with students in areas such as student counselling, teaching, and international services. Through lectures, workshops and collaborative discussions, participants will explore how universities can strengthen their institutional approaches to student mental health.
The programme also aims to foster international exchange and to encourage cooperation between universities working on similar challenges. A cultural program will give participants the opportunity to experience the wonderful city of Karlsruhe and build bridges to other participants.
Key Facts
Programme format: Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)
Duration: One week on-site + virtual components
Location: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe/Germany
Date: November 16, 2026 - November 20, 2026 (and again in 2027)
Language: English
Participants: University staff from the Consortium Linking Universities of Science and Technology for Education and Research (CLUSTER) partner institutions. The number of participants is limited to 15. Some parts of the program will be open for public and other partner universities.
Participation fee: The course fee is covered by CLUSTER. Participants are expected to cover travel and accommodation costs through their institution’s ERASMUS+ Staff Mobility funds. Please direct Mobility Agreements and other relevant ERASMUS+ documents to staffmobility∂intl.kit.edu.
Objectives of the Programme
The programme aims to:
► deepen understanding of current challenges related to student mental health
► exchange institutional experiences and good practices
► explore approaches to prevention, early support and crisis management
► strengthen cooperation between different university services and between universities
► encourage international dialogue on student mental health and wellbeing
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Target Group
Priority will be given to registrations from CLUSTER partner universities. This programme is designed for university staff who work directly with students, including:
► student counselling professionals
► academic staff and lecturers
► staff from international offices
► professionals from student support services
► staff involved in student mental health and wellbeeing initiatives
Participants should have a professional interest in improving support structures for student mental health.
Please keep in mind: People who are currently suffering from severe mental health problems are often unable to fully benefit from the MHFA course.
Programme Structure
The programme combines expert input, practical workshops and collaborative exchange.
Preliminary Programme
Building a Community of Impact in CLUSTER and beyond
Beyond the programme itself, we place strong emphasis on creating a sustainable network of professionals who continue to exchange ideas and collaborate after the BIP has concluded.
Participants are encouraged to form a Community of Impact that remains active beyond the duration of the programme. The goal is to support participants in bringing the insights and approaches developed during the BIP back to their own institutions and professional networks.
By maintaining contact and sharing experiences, participants can continue to:
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exchange good practices and institutional approaches
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support each other in implementing new ideas and initiatives
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strengthen cooperation between universities and in CLUSTER
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contribute to advancing the topic of student mental health within their institutions and networks
In this way, the programme aims not only to provide a meaningful learning experience for the participants, but also to create a lasting impact across the participating universities and beyond.
For CLUSTER, addressing student mental health is not only a matter of individual wellbeing but also of institutional excellence and social responsibility of its members. When students thrive mentally and emotionally, they are more likely to succeed academically, engage in research and innovation, and contribute positively to their learning communities. By developing shared knowledge, best practices, and collaborative strategies across institutions, the CLUSTER Partners can create a consistent and sustainable approach to student support. It also fosters a culture of openness, empathy, and collaboration across CLUSTER universities. In doing so, it reinforces the network’s commitment to inclusive, caring, and resilient higher education systems that empower every student to learn, develop, and thrive.
Partner Institutions
The programme is organised in cooperation with CLUSTER partner universities. Participating institutions include:
KTH
KU Leuven
ZI Mannheim
The programme aims to strengthen international cooperation in addressing student mental health challenges.
Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme
Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) are short-term Erasmus+ mobility programmes that combine virtual collaboration with a short on-site mobility period.
They provide opportunities for staff and students from different universities to work together on shared challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Practical Information
Accommodation: Information will be provided to selected participants and on the website.
Travel: Participants will receive guidance on travel arrangements.
Funding: Mobility funding may be available through Erasmus+ staff mobility programmes at the home institution.
Event cancellation: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event for reasons beyond its control (e.g., insufficient number of participants, short-term unavailability of the venue, speakers, or other services, as well as force majeure). Participants will be notified of this using the contact details provided in the registration form. In this case, KIT will not reimburse any expenses incurred in anticipation of the event. In the event of unforeseen cancellation by speakers, KIT reserves the right to cancel the event, change the date, or use other speakers.
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