Social support influences our health and wellbeing : it helps to give meaning to our lives and brings out the best in everyone! In this sense, it is one of the most influential and remarkable determinants of our mental health. It has indeed many positive physiological and psychological effects, among which boosting our immune system, reducing stress and improving our ability to adopt a healthy lifestyle (minds, 2024).
Most interestingly, not only is perceived social support as received by others beneficial to mental health, but so is social support provided to others (Curry et al., 2018). A review of the scientific literature points out that there are three types of behaviours that promote good mental health : self-care, help-seeking and providing social support to others (Pereira & Dubath, 2022). Giving your time, showing kindness, altruism and solidarity not only strengthens your mental health but also triggers beneficial physical reactions.
Volunteering is a particular example of prosocial behaviour whose effects on wellbeing and mental health have been widely studied (Jenkinson et al., 2013).
In order to promote wellbeing through benefiting from and providing social support, students can enjoy a variety of activities organised at the Institute, such as the Buddy programme (aimed at connecting new students to 2nd year students, especially in the first few months of their arrival), the GISA Welfare Solidarity Programme (aimed at preventing isolation and connecting students) and the GISA Student initiatives (clubs or student organizations formed and coordinated by current students).
We also strongly encourage students to explore resources available for students at UNIGE (sport, cultural, language exchange and interaction with the migrant population activities), as well as to break free from « the student bubble » and reach out to locals and migrants from different walks of life – this is the best way to make your experience of Geneva even more meaningful and an opportunity to develop your own personal bond with Switzerland and its people. Keep in mind that there are many locals and migrants that are willing to get to know you and that you also have a lot to offer to them!
Volunteering in Geneva festivals, participating in a listening circle, becoming a first aider, baby-sitting or tutoring for families living in Geneva, socializing with an elderly person around a free lunch, taking part in a hiking, gardening or language exchange activity with locals are all great ways to diversify your social circle. It can also contribute to helping you look at things from a distance and, most importantly, avoiding focusing all your energy comparing yourself to other fellow students, which can be very damaging to your mental health.
REFERENCES :
- Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Van Lissa, C. J., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., & Whitehouse, H. (2018). Happy to help ? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, 320‑329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2018.02.014
- Jenkinson, C. E., Dickens, A. P., Jones, K., Thompson-Coon, J., Taylor, R. S., Rogers, M., Bambra, C. L., Lang, I., & Richards, S. H. (2013). Is volunteering a public health intervention ? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the health and survival of volunteers. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 773. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-773
- minds (2024). La santé mentale, c’est les autres. Genève : minds - Promotion de la santé mentale à Genève https://www.minds-ge.ch/ressources/la-sante-mentale-cest-les-autres
- Pereira, A., Dubath, C., & Trabichet A.-M. (2021). Les déterminants de la santé mentale : Synthèse de la littérature scientifique (minds 01/2021). Genève : minds - Promotion de la santé mentale à Genève https://minds-ge.ch/2021/04/29/les-determinants-de-la-sante-mentale
- Pereira, A., & Dubath, C. (2022). Les comportements promoteurs d’une bonne santé mentale : Synthèse de la littérature scientifique (minds 02/2022). Genève : minds - Promotion de la santé mentale à Genève https://www.minds-ge.ch/ressources/les-comportements-promoteurs-dune-bonne-sante-mentale
RESSOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Geneva Graduate Institute Programmes :
- Buddy programme :
- GISA Welfare Solidarity programme (organised during the winter break)
- GISA Student Initiatives : https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/student-life/life-institute/student-initiatives and https://www.ourgisa.com/initiatives
UNIGE Programmes :
- UNIGE sport activities : https://vie-de-campus.unige.ch/campus-life/sport-and-culture/sports
- UNIGE cultural activities and events : https://vie-de-campus.unige.ch/campus-life/sport-and-culture/culture
- UNIGE language exchange (one-to-one language exchange) :
http://www.unige.ch/tandems/en/about/
- UNIGE cafés solidaires : https://www.unige.ch/fapse/cite/cafes-solidaires/
GENEVA ASSOCIATIONS/PROGRAMMES :
- minds - Geneva mental health promotion association : https://www.minds-ge.ch/
- Cercle d’écoute - Geneva listening circle - : https://www.cercledecoute.ch/
Listening circles are free, open, caring spaces where people can confide in each other and be listened to in complete safety. By listening unconditionally and without judgement, a real resonance is created between participants, bringing a deep sense of relief and wellbeing. These discussions are usually in French.
- ensa - Swiss mental health first aid courses https://www.ensa.swiss/en/
GENEVA VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES :
- Babysits - Geneva baby-sitting association : https://fr.babysits.ch/baby-sitting/gen%C3%A8ve/
- Swiss Science Tutors - Geneva Science tutoring : https://swisssciencetutors.ch/
- Tutor 24 - Geneva English tutoring : https://tutor24.ch/en/english-tutoring/ge/geneva
- EMS Foyer Saint-Paul - un repas, deux histoires : https://www.facebook.com/emsfsp/posts/640625851911941?ref=embed_post
- Genève Rando - Geneva hiking association : https://www.geneverando.ch/fr/association/english-speakers
- Les artichauts - Geneva gardening association : https://artichauts.ch/potager/
- Geneva language exchange activities and events :
- Glocals French English language exchange group https://www.glocals.com/groups/geneva-french-english-language-exchange-group.htm and https://www.facebook.com/groups/geneva.fr.en
- Blabla language exchange Geneva BlaBla Language Exchange - Facebook
- Mundo lingo language exchange https://www.facebook.com/groups/ML.Geneva/
- Language Exchange in Geneva (one-to-one language exchange) https://www.mylanguageexchange.com/city/Geneva__Switzerland.asp