Student mental health: a practical, comprehensive and enduring commitment at EDHEC

Designated a major national cause in France in 2025, mental health — and particularly student mental health — today represents a major issue for higher education. For a number of years already, EDHEC has been taking action at all levels, from preventing and managing emergency situations, to promoting student well-being on a day-to-day basis. The School has gradually structured a comprehensive ecosystem of support — both in-person and at distance — in order to listen to, guide and assist all students throughout their time at the School.

Preventing, raising awareness and acting in advance

Right at the start of the academic year, students are familiarised with mental health issues and informed of the support resources available to them. This momentum is sustained throughout the year through inclusive, targeted communication campaigns, designed to speak to all students. As Director of Student Engagement and Diversity Alexandre Caron explains: “We’ve designed visuals in which everyone can recognise themselves, particularly young men who too often remain distanced from these issues”.

EDHEC rounds out this approach with digital resources devoted to well-being (stress management, practical advice) and with concrete actions on campus. Contributions from professionals and “expert patients” on the subject of addiction, serve to initiate dialogue and dispel taboos. One-on-one discussion sessions are also offered as a means to guide students towards appropriate forms of assistance.    

In addition, student “sentinels”, trained to listen to their peers, play a key role in close proximity to students, notably regarding sexual and gender-based violence issues.

The School also actively encourages practices conducive to maintaining personal well-being. These include sophrology, meditation and yoga sessions (fully financed), as well as a policy that promotes physical activity. At the same time, numerous staff members are trained to provide first-contact mental health support, in order to detect early warning signs and intervene quickly where necessary.

Comprehensive support, available around-the-clock

EDHEC is fully aware that mental health needs do not stop outside class hours and therefore makes a psychological counselling service available worldwide on a 24/7 basis through Pros-Consulte. Free of charge and confidential, this service is particularly designed for sensitive periods (exams, student events, periods of isolation).

The School also facilitates access to external services, by guiding students towards support mechanisms like that provided by Mon Soutien Psy or via specialist platforms.
“As needs change, so do our actions. We’re committed to a continuous improvement process, so as to remain as close as possible to students’ real-life situations”, underlines Alexandre Caron.

This attention extends in full to international students. Thanks to multilingual services — consultations in English on certain campuses and support in some 18 languages offered on the Procounselling platform — all individuals can receive assistance suited to their cultural and linguistic background.

In the event of a crisis, students can also call the national suicide prevention hotline (3114) at any time of the day.

Enhanced resources present on all campuses

EDHEC’s overall approach is rounded out by local support services. In Nice and Lille, psychologists are present to provide regular attention on site. Students also have access to specialist structures (CPSUs, BAPUs and CNAEs), that guarantee comprehensive assistance without any upfront payment.  

These various coordinated actions materialise EDHEC’s firm conviction that academic success cannot be achieved without mental well-being. By making mental health a pillar of commitment, the School operates an enduring, attentive and profoundly people-oriented approach that serves all students.

Illustrations below: prevention and awareness-raising posters displayed on all EDHEC campuses.