Psychological and medical support

Are you encountering medical or psychological problems? Are you experiencing difficulties related to stress and anxiety? We are here to help.

How we can help you?

 

Our Wellbeing and Support Eliane Minassian-Kellermann and Michal Sela may help orientate you towards a specialist and make an appointment, provide information and lend an ear to support you in a time of need. 

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT 


Our in-house psychologists are available for an orientation session concerning mental health questions and can help guide you towards further psychological support. 

Make an appointment
 

These services are free of charge for students of the Graduate Institute.

More information on health services below.

At the Graduate Institute 
 

The Student Wellbeing & Support Service is here to accompany you in stressful situations or answer questions related to your security, health and wellbeing. Together we will work to find solutions to your concerns. We treat all disclosures with strict confidence.

You may contact the Service at: wellbeing-support@graduateinstitute.ch.

HOW OUR PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING SESSIONS WORK:

  • Students are offered up to five free orientation sessions per semester with a psychologist (member of the Geneva Association of Psychologists, AGPsy) at the Graduate Institute.

  • Orientation sessions are 45-minutes long. 

  • Sessions assess the student's concern(s) and facilitate further access to psychological support at "Pôle Sante" (provided by the University of Geneva) or another institution according to their needs.

  • Our in-house psychologists, cannot follow patients for a full treatment and are only available for initial support.

  • We would appreciate your comments/feedback about your session here.

From beginning October to June:

Make an appointment with a psychologist from AGPsy on either Tuesday or Thursday between 17:30 and 20:30. The meeting can be held in person or online and in this case an invitation link to attend your appointment will be sent prior to the session.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please cancel your appointment 24-hours in advance via the confirmation email. No-show appointments will be charged CHF 20.

During the Summer and Winter breaks:

The Student Wellbeing & Support Service remains available for students in need. An appointment can be requested by email to wellbeing-support@graduateinstitute.ch.

External Health and Psychological Services

 

Need to see a doctor?

Make an appointment with a General Practitioner or a specialist

Make an appointment

 

The University of Geneva's HEALTH AND PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT (pRIOR "Pôle Santé")


Students can find adapted solutions and access welfare services, including:

VIH TEST : Students who wish to take a VIH test can contact the Health Consultation to discuss their situation. If a test is indicated, they will receive a voucher to present at HUG (Geneva Hospital). The service is free of charge.

* Contact specialaid@graduateinstitute.ch to find out if the Institute can help by partially covering the costs associated with your treatment. Please note that your treatment has to involve at least three sessions in order to be reviewed.

Health and Psychology Service

  • Sessions with our psychologists will be held in person. If you wish to request an online session, please mention this upon booking your session.

  • Psychotherapy can be followed through the Psychological Support Service, or can be redirected to another support source depending on your insurance coverage (to be discussed with the Psychological Support psychotherapist). You may then be put on a waiting list; it may take several months for a space to become available.  

  • If you deal with poor sleep habits, which affect your concentration and mental health, the Health and Psychology Service offers you a consultation to evaluate your sleep habits and propose appropriate resources for your problem.

  • Check out the ACTIDOTE self-help mobile application, which is designed to promote health and prevent depression.

  • An individual coaching service is available to students of the Graduate Institute who struggle with questions related to their personal, academic and professional lives. Up to six sessions of 60 to 75 minutes can be proposed and the first session is free. For mental health issues,  psychotherapy sessions will be more adapted.

CONTACT the Health and Psychology Department

3rd floor
4 rue De‑Candolle
1205 Genève

Phone: +41 22 379 13 33

For medical questions: sante@unige.ch
For psychological questions: psychologique@unige.ch
For all questions related to special needs: besoins‑particuliers@unige.ch

Office hours
09am‑12pm (noon) and 2pm‑4pm
Closed on Tuesday and Friday afternoon.

Appointments with our doctor or psychologists can only be scheduled via our online portal.

Feel free to reach out to wellbeing-support@graduateinstitute.ch for any questions or if you need help to make an appointment (meetings can be held in English).

PSYLINE: Tel 022 379 92 00 (from Monday to Friday 11.00 am to 8.00 pm)

The current period confirms that our psychological equilibrium is fundamental to our daily functioning, both in the academic, professional and private domains of our lives. The challenges can be multiple : financial, insecurity about the future, isolation, difficulties in concentrating, work at home, relationships or family conflicts, to name but a few.

Whatever the difficulties encountered, talking and putting into perspective, helps to cope with the difficult moments we can experience.

  • Set up by the Pôle Cité of the Factulty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (FPSE), the PSYLINE is a conselling and psychological telephone line available to students of the Graduate Institute.

  • Free and confidential, it brings together the various internal psychological hotlines set up so far.

  • More information here.

HUG (Hôpital cantonal of Geneva)
 

The Consultation for Students is part of the HUG Division of Primary Care. Patients are seen by general practitioners who are knowledgeable about young adults’ general health concerns. A consultation also provides easy access to Geneva hospital network specialists.

Consultations are available in French or English and may include :

  • Auscultation by a HUG doctor (complete clinical examination)
  • Follow‑up for a chronic disease (diabetes, hypertension, etc.)
  • Concerns related to consumption and addiction
  • Tests: blood, urine, X‑rays, etc.
  • Prescription*

*If you are following a medical treatment prior to coming to Geneva, we highly recommend you to take sufficient medications for the first weeks. Please take your signed prescriptions with you. We also recommend you to book an appointment with the HUG Division or Primary Care as soon as you arrive in Geneva.

If you need a medical certificate the HUG Division of Primary Care can provide one after analysing your health situation. You therefore need to book a consultation session.

Consultation fees: Consultations are billed according to the TARMED rate. Fees are reimbursed according to your health insurance contract and once the deductible has been reached.

Consultation times and appointment scheduling: From Monday to Friday, according to availability on the online appointments portal.

Address: Site Cluse Roseraie, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil, 4, Geneva

Access: Bus lines 1, 5, 7 and 35, station “Hôpital” / Bus line 3, station “Claparède”

Questions: Appointment.SMPR@hcuge.ch

Contact by phone: +41 (0)79 553 56 57, +41 (0)22 372 95 49 or +41 (0)22 372 96 77 (Monday to Friday from 8.30 am - 12.00 pm | 2.00 pm - 5.30 pm)

VACCINATIONS

  • HVP vaccination: students from 11 to 26 can take the vaccination for free at the HUG Division of Primary Care if they are affiliated with a Swiss Insurance Company. Private Insurance Companies do not cover this cost (approx. CHF 250.-). To schedule an appointment please use the following link : https://www.hug.ch/sante-jeunes/vaccination-hpv  under "Prendre RV en ligne" (Choose ENG). You will need to bring a copy of your passport and medical insurance card.
  • Vaccinations against the FLU can be received without apointment at the hospital (building Morier) on the 2nd floor (Unité soins infirmiers) from Monday to Friday, between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. The cost is of CHF 26.90
  • Vaccinations against COVID are fully reimbursed by the LAMAL (basic health insurance).

CoronaVirus – We are all concerned!
 

The current regulations Geneva (which are subject to change) state that "isolation measures have been lifted and you no longer have to stay at home. This means that, if your general condition allows it, you can also go to your workplace (or school). However, some precautions are still important for your health, and the health of people around you.   

 

All the recommendations listed hereafter are valid as long as you have symptoms, and for longer if you consider it necessary. If you have no symptoms but your test is positive, we recommend that you apply these precautions for at least 5 to 7 days after your test.

  • Wear a mask.

  • If you have severe or worsening symptoms or are concerned about your condition: make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible, go to the hospital emergency room or call 144.

  • If you have symptoms that prevent you from going to work: consult your employer or your family doctor. As of 1st April 2022, the cantonal doctor's office (DGS) will no longer issue a medical certificate or a decision to isolate you.

  • If possible, work from home, in agreement with your employer.

  • Warn vulnerable people with whom you have been in contact in the previous days.

  • Do not visit a vulnerable person (at least during the 5 to 7 days following your positive test or the onset of your first symptoms).

  • Limit your contact with other people (e.g. going out with friends).

  • Avoid places with lots of people.

  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or with a hydroalcoholic solution.

  • Air out regularly by opening windows.

  • Avoid shaking hands and hugging.

  • Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.

  • After use, dispose of paper handkerchiefs in a waste bin and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards with soap and water, or with a hydroalcoholic solution."

For the moment, Covid is now treated the same way as any other time you are sick. Perhaps speak with your professors to see if they are able to record or conduct the course in a hybrid format; however, it is not mandatory for them to do so. If you are not well and/or need to stay home, then you must follow the regular "Guidelines on medical certificates".

 

 

Check out the IHEID CORONAVIRUS WEBPAGES for detailed information