On 15 October 2024, a lecture entitled “The Importance of Mental Health for Academic Success” was held in the Small Ceremonial Hall of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek. Ena Štrk and Maja Matković, staff members of the Office for Psychological Counselling of Students, marked World Mental Health Day and the beginning of the new academic year by highlighting the challenges students face during their studies.

Štrk opened the lecture by identifying stress as a common feature of student life and emphasising challenges such as adapting to new social environments, maintaining self-discipline and preserving existing relationships. Success in academic life depends not only on cognitive abilities but also on emotional well-being. In her presentation, she highlighted the most common sources of stress, including loss of motivation, financial difficulties and anxiety. She also explained the concept of the cognitive triangle, which helps illustrate the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

In the second part of the lecture, Matković presented strategies for coping with mental health challenges. She discussed warning signs indicating the need for change, such as prolonged low mood and academic difficulties, and stressed the importance of self-care through physical activity, a healthy diet and social support. She also highlighted the importance of setting realistic goals and organising one’s time, outlining the key steps for effective time management.

Štrk and Matković shared recommendations for resources that can help maintain mental health, including various applications and self-help books.

During the lecture, students had the opportunity to ask questions, encouraging an open discussion and exchange of experiences. The Office staff plan to continue organising lectures on student mental health and invited students to share their ideas for future lecture topics.