RIT Croatia: A Mental Health Week dedicated to students’ well-being

RIT Croatia recently dedicated a full week to celebrating World Mental Health Day (October 13-17, 2025), underscoring a commitment to student well-being on both the Zagreb and Dubrovnik campuses. What began as a student-led initiative has blossomed into a comprehensive campaign, aiming to dismantle the stigma around mental health and foster a supportive community.

According to Tamara Lipnjak, the Student Life and Well-Being Coordinator at RIT Croatia, the most crucial element of the week was its student-led nature. "I understood that mental health is not a topic that students feel too comfortable talking about, and that there still is a lot of stigma around asking for help," she explained. By empowering the Student Government (SG) to take the lead, the campaign made the conversation more approachable and normalized.

An Accessible, Student-Led Approach

The Student Government members were crucial in designing activities to fit busy student lives. "We determined the schedule by making sure the activities and interactive boards were available throughout the whole day," said Lea Gugić from the Dubrovnik campus. She emphasized that the format was "shaped so the interaction can be completed at any time and there is no necessity for someone to be there in person to monitor the interactions."

This flexibility proved highly effective for engagement. The Gratitude Jar / Take One, Leave One activity was a clear favorite on both campuses. Lea noted, "Students were most engaged for the write one take one note board... we think the anonymity makes it interesting." Lara Duhović from the Zagreb campus agreed, saying, "I think the most popular activity was take one leave one. It had the best impact quantity-wise. Overall, the mini events were a great success, probably because of the accessible location and flexible time, so it was available to everyone."

When discussing the engagement of shyer students in interactive activities, Lara provided valuable insight: "Since the event had an open concept, people felt less shy because they felt like nobody was watching them while still being able to express themselves and be included." Lea added that even shyer students participated because they "could easily express themselves while no one else was around, therefore it was easy and convenient for them as well."

Building Resilience, Not Just Awareness

The week aimed for more than just a temporary boost. Ms. Lipnjak noted that activities focused on positivity and connection "encourage students to be kind, show understanding for others’ struggles... and create a community where we look out for one another." These practices, like journaling, gratitude, and future planning, are intended to help students develop a more resilient self.

A key component was the opportunity for students to take the PHQ-4 ultra-brief screening scale for anxiety and depression in exchange for a journal. Ms. Lipnjak saw a delayed, but important, impact: "I didn’t see a large increase in inquiries... immediately during the campaign, but since then, there are more and more students coming to my office to ask to be referred to see a therapist." The week culminated in The Anxiety Toolbox Workshop, a practical, skill-building session to help students detangle anxiety and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns.

Looking Ahead

The Student Government members are committed to maintaining this focus. Lea outlined their plans: "Since our Student Government currently does not have a budget for wellness initiatives, we’ll be focusing on what’s actually feasible — mainly basic mental health check-ins and group discussion sessions." She stated they would continue "incorporating mental health discussions into our regular agenda through peer-led group sessions and informal support spaces."

For a student who realizes they are "not okay," Ms. Lipnjak emphasizes that the most important next step is to "seek connection and ask for help." RIT Croatia makes this accessible by offering free counseling appointments with external psychotherapists, typically available within a week of inquiry. The success of Mental Health Week, driven by both student leaders and the coordinator, clearly demonstrates RIT Croatia’s commitment to making well-being an open and ongoing conversation.