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October is mental health month!
October is Mental Health Month at TalTech! đź’š
In the midst of a busy schedule, it’s good to pause and ask yourself: how am I really doing? Throughout the month, we invite you to events where you can spend time with fellow students, discover new ways to take care of yourself, and talk about topics that matter to us all. 🌿
University life - like life in general - comes with both opportunities and challenges. It requires us to make mental effort, meet deadlines, and face uncertainty about our abilities and what lies ahead. We don’t always feel motivated or confident - or even feel like doing the things we want or need to do. So how can we keep moving forward?
In this workshop, we’ll explore flexible and workable ways to respond when we encounter obstacles. How can we take action when we don’t feel like it? Move forward without having all the answers? And choose what works rather than simply reacting to stress or discomfort?
🗓️ TIME: 14 October, 16:00 -17:30
đź“Ť LOCATION: U06-220
As part of TalTech’s Meeleturgutus x Tallinn University’s Mental Health Month, we’re getting together at SUHE bar to unwind, enjoy good company, and do something fun together. Because meaningful connections and time spent with friends are also ways to care for our mental health. 🫶
🗓️ WHEN: 15 October at 19:00
đź“Ť WHERE: SUHE bar
Register yourself and your partner for the Mental Health Month padel tournament. Up to 16 mixed doubles teams can participate. If you have any questions, contact [email protected].
🗓️ TIME: 23 October, 12:00–15:00
đź“Ť LOCATION: Padelsquare Laagri
Feeling tense after classes or struggling with back pain? Come and enjoy a free student massage! 💆‍♀️ The massages will be provided by students from the Estonian Massage and Therapy School. Places are limited, so make sure to register early!
🗓️ TIME: 27 October, 13:00–17:00
đź“Ť LOCATION: TalTech Main Building (rooms U01-218 and U01-217) and TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy (room MA1-316)
All the spots are filled.
University life is full of challenges, and it's important to know where to find help and support. Below are various reasons why you might need help, as well as support services and organizations that can assist you.
Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Start by reaching out to someone you trust, and if you feel you need additional support, don’t hesitate to turn to the resources listed below.
Your mental health matters! You matter!
I need help!
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. University life can bring stress, anxiety, and challenging moments, but you don't have to face them alone. If you feel that you need support, know that help is always available.
TalTech offers psychological counseling for students.
Peaasi.ee is an Estonian organization focused on promoting mental health.
Peaasi counseling is available for young people aged 12–26 who feel they are experiencing mental health issues. The counseling is free of charge.
Even more options for getting help can be found on this page: taltech.ee/en/psychological-counselling
Academic counseling helps you find effective study strategies, manage your time, and overcome academic challenges. Whether you need help preparing for exams, understanding academic procedures, or finding motivation – support is always available!
Peer-to-peer counseling is available for questions related to academic procedures or other university-related topics. You can write to [email protected] or drop by room U04-104 during the Counseling Centre's opening hours.
Tutors are more experienced students who guide and support you with study-related questions. If your program doesn’t have a designated tutor, feel free to contact a tutor from another program within your faculty.
If you are an international student, please feel free to contact a buddy who can help to asnwer about spetsific questions about being an international student in Estonia.
For questions related to your curriculum, you can contact the study consultant at your faculty’s dean’s office.
Faculty contacts:
- School of Engineering - taltech.ee/en/school-of-engineering/contacts
- School of Information Technologies - taltech.ee/en/school-of-it/contact
- School of Science - taltech.ee/en/school-of-science/contacts
- School of Business and Governance - taltech.ee/en/sbg/contacts
- Estonian Maritime Academy - taltech.ee/en/oppekorraldus
TalTech offers students with special needs counselling and the opportunity to request adjustments to their studies. A support group is also available for students with ADHD. For more information or to make an appointment, please email [email protected]
More information about academic counseling at TalTech: taltech.ee/en/academic-counselling
Answers to questions related to higher education and an overview of Estonia’s higher education landscape can be found on the "Tark Tudeng" website: tarktudeng.ee/en/home/
If you experience an issue related to academic work, academic procedures, or an educational violation, you can confidently reach out to the Board Member in the Field of Education (Karoliine Orav, [email protected]).
School Psychologists’ Helpline 1226 – free and anonymous support for students, university students, parents, and teachers. Available on weekdays from 4–8 PM in Estonian and on Tuesdays at the same time in Russian.
Planning for the future can be challenging. Career counseling helps you gain clarity about your strengths, interests, and opportunities.
TalTech offers career counseling to guide you through the process of career planning and development.
The Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund (Eesti Töötukassa) offers free career counseling to anyone who is interested!
On the My career (Minu Karjäär) website, you can find various information about career planning, training, and much more.
Everyone has the right to a safe learning environment. If you feel unsafe, don’t stay alone – help and support are always available.
If the incident took place on the university campus, you can report it anonymously.
Unequal treatment
Discrimination is the unequal treatment of a person without an objective reason, simply because of who they are. Negative attitudes and prejudices can be based on personal characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion or beliefs, gender, language, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other trait.
If you believe you have been discriminated against, read more about where and how to file a discrimination complaint in Estonia on the Human Rights Guide website.
Harassment
Harassment is unwanted behavior towards a person that undermines their dignity and creates a threatening, hostile, derogatory, humiliating, or offensive atmosphere, and is unwanted and unpleasant for the person being harassed.
The Victim Support website offers various resources for getting help: Victim Support website
You can also call the Victim Support Crisis helpline at 116 006, available 24/7.
Here you can submit a report about a crime committed in Estonia or an online crime: Submission of offence report
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental difference that affects attention regulation, impulse control, and time management. It does not mean a lack of ability – many students with ADHD demonstrate strong creativity, fast thinking, and excellent problem-solving skills.
🧠How can ADHD affect studying?
- difficulty starting tasks
- losing track of time (procrastination or hyperfocus)
- organizational difficulties
- forgetfulness
- feeling overwhelmed when facing multiple deadlines
âś” Practical recommendations
- Break large tasks into small, concrete steps
- Use a calendar + reminders (do not rely only on memory)
- Study in time blocks (e.g., 25 minutes of work + a break)
- Start with the “2-minute rule” – just take the first small step
- Plan movement breaks intentionally
🤝 Where to get support?
- Peaasi.ee – youth mental health support
- Peaasi.ee – What is ADHD?
- Estonian ADHD Association
- TalTech Special Needs Counselling – [email protected]
- TalTech Psychological Counselling
Autism
Autism is a neurological difference that affects perception, communication, and information processing. Autism is not a disease, but a different way of experiencing the world.
🧠Autism in student life may present as:
- sensory sensitivity (light, noise, crowded spaces)
- a need for structure and clarity
- difficulty with unexpected changes
- social fatigue
âś” Practical recommendations
- Create a predictable daily routine
- Ask lecturers for written explanations if verbal information is difficult
- Use noise-cancelling headphones
- Schedule recovery time after social situations
- Inform the university’s special needs counsellor if needed
🤝 Where to get support?
- Peaasi.ee – Autism Spectrum Conditions
- Peaasi.ee – youth mental health support
- Estonian Autism Association
- TalTech Special Needs Counselling
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but if it begins to interfere with studying and everyday life, it is important to seek support. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health challenges among university students.
🧠It may manifest as:
- constant worrying
- exam anxiety
- heart palpitations, physical tension
- avoidance behavior
- difficulty relaxing
âś” Practical recommendations
- Maintain regular sleep and physical activity
- Breathing exercises (e.g., breathing in a 4–6 rhythm)
- Prepare for exams step by step, not at the last minute
- Talk about your concerns – do not stay alone
🤝Where to get support?
- Peaasi.ee – youth mental health support
- Peaasi.ee – How to cope with anxiety disorders?
- TalTech Psychological Counselling
- Crisis Helpline 116 123 (24/7)
Mental health conditions or neurodivergent differences do not exclude successful studying and may also be strengths, such as creativity, deep focus, or analytical thinking. With appropriate support and necessary accommodations, it is possible to cope well with academic work and maintain overall well-being.
Seeking help is a conscious and responsible step toward supporting your well-being. đź’ś
TalTech Students' Mental Health Standpoints
In October 2022, a mental health working group, led by the Student Union, conducted a survey with the participation of 694 TalTech students. The survey tested three hypotheses, all of which were confirmed by the results:
- Mental health issues are a widespread problem among students.
- Mental health problems/conditions are linked to difficulties in progressing with academic work.
- Information about mental health and related services at the university is not easily accessible or sufficient for students.
Based on the survey, mental health standpoints were formed and confirmed by the Student Parlament on April 11, 2023. These positions also guide the Student Union in developing mental health initiatives at TalTech and beyond.
On April 11, 2023, the Student Parlament held a meeting where the following mental health standpoints for TalTech students were confirmed:
- Faculty members must consider students' mental health and be aware of its impact on academic performance.
- Faculty members will provide students with the full academic schedule, including all deadlines, at the beginning of each semester.
- Regular seminars on mental health topics will be organized for faculty members.
- The university ensures a balance between academic work and personal life for students.
- The university offers flexible curricula and study formats.
- The university advocates for an increase in student study support.
- The university supports students' integration and the development of social connections throughout the academic year.
- All students will have timely access to psychological counseling when seeking help.
- Communication on mental health issues will be improved at the university.
- University information channels will clearly indicate where students can seek help for mental health issues.
- University information channels will share useful evidence-based materials and personal stories about mental health.
- Regular events on mental health topics, such as seminars, trainings, and information days, will be organized at the university.
- Feedback will be regularly collected on the activities of the Student Councelling Office to improve the quality of psychological counseling.
- The university will create a mental health action plan and conduct additional research among both students and staff.
The results of the 2026 survey are coming soon!
Contact us!
If you did not find a solution to your issue in the list above, please feel free to contact [email protected], and we will try to find the most suitable support resource together.
If you have suggestions on how to improve students' mental health and well-being at the university, please contact the Student Union’s Mental Health Project Coordinator, Emma Pallase ([email protected]).
