Psychosocial support for VUB staff

You Are Not Alone

I’m looking for support with a well-being concern

Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to turn. On SharePoint, you’ll find practical steps to help guide you if you or one of your colleagues is faced with any of the psychosocial challenges listed below.

Stress

High workload, tension, ...

Conflicts at work

Collaboration conflicts, conflicts with your supervisor,…

Psychosocial problems

Neurodiversity, anxiety, personality disorders,…

Trauma & grief

Loss, traumatic events, coping and processing,…

Transgressive Behaviour

Physical or psychological violence, bullying, intimidation, unwanted sexual behaviour

Substance use & addiction

The use of alcohol and other intoxicating substances at work

External intimidation

Intimidation of academics by external parties

I want to know who I can turn to

Sometimes it helps to talk to someone. That’s why you’ll find an alphabetical list of well-being professionals and points of contact on SharePoint, who you can turn to with psychosocial concerns or difficulties.

Psychosocial well-being partners

From your direct manager to Security and from the VUB Reporting Point to your HR Business Partner: find out who you can turn to within the university with psychosocial concerns or difficulties.

External well-being partners

VUB works closely with external well-being partners. Find out how the occupational physician, prevention advisor and Employee Assistance Programme can support you.

Formal points of contact

Is a situation becoming more serious, or is formal follow-up or escalation needed? You can then turn to the Head of Prevention & Environment, the Director of People & Organisation or the Director of the Rector’s Office.

Independent helplines and services

In addition to VUB’s well-being partners, you can also turn to general support services that are accessible to everyone, such as De Druglijn and the Suicide Line 1813.

These organisations operate entirely independently of VUB and offer support for a wide range of situations that may affect your psychosocial well-being.

More info

Leading with well-being in mind

As a manager, you are the first point of contact for your employees and play a key role in the well-being of your team. But you are not alone. On SharePoint, you’ll find tools, guidelines, practical tips and contact details to support you in this role.

Recognising signs

Recognise signs of reduced well-being and know how to respond appropriately. Observing, listening and signposting people to the right support can make a difference.

Role clarity

Your role is to observe, engage in conversation and, where necessary, make a referral, rather than to provide treatment yourself.

Assessing a safe team climate

Employees will only speak up when they feel safe. As a manager, you can actively help to strengthen that sense of safety.

About You Are Not Alone

At VUB, the well-being of our students and staff is a central priority. That is why we are strengthening our psychosocial well-being policy, with the ambition of making well-being the beating heart of our work by 2030. Education, research and societal engagement remain our core missions.

Through You Are Not Alone (YANA), VUB is making its psychosocial well-being support more accessible and easier to navigate, so that students and staff can find the right support more quickly. Together, we are building a community of care where everyone feels safe, heard and supported.

Physical well-being

At VUB, your physical well-being is also a priority. We support you in staying healthy, energised and balanced, both at work and outside of work. On SharePoint, you’ll find tips and initiatives to help you take good care of yourself.

YANA

News and updates

Well-being

“Wellbeing isn’t an afterthought, it’s a foundation”

VUB launches Employee Assistance Programme