Dear Semmelweis Community,
We are the session leaders of Open Circle. Over the past year, we have had the privilege of leading group support sessions dedicated to addressing the vital need for mental health support within our university. While we are currently on a break following the end of the exam period, we wanted to share a brief update on our journey so far and look ahead to the upcoming 2026/2027 academic year.
This year served as our pilot program, with an initial goal of hosting at least one meeting per week. We then expanded this to two sessions a week during the second semester to fit the needs of the students. While the first semester started quietly, the second semester brought a steady, meaningful wave of student participation. Together, we explored a wide variety of deeply personal topics, including social isolation, academic pressure, and anxiety. We are profoundly grateful to every student who joined us. Your presence and bravery in opening up created the heart of these sessions.
Through these conversations, we discovered that while everyone’s struggles are unique, they share deeply overlapping roots. Every session has been an opportunity for us, as leaders, to reflect on our own challenges and grow alongside you, an experience we hope was just as transformative for our participants.
We would like to thank everyone who filled out our feedback form. We are delighted and grateful to hear that you valued the inclusiveness and the wide range of topics discussed. At the same time, we also heard your feedback regarding a more consistent schedule and we fully appreciate this suggestion.
With this momentum, we are excited to continue our work into the 2026/2027 academic year. We will maintain 1 to 2 sessions per week through both the semester and exam periods. We aim to have a more consistent schedule, with specific dates announced soon.
Once again, thank you for your trust, interest, and participation. It is an honor to serve the Semmelweis community and support your mental well-being. Whether you are returning or joining us for the very first time, we warmly invite you to be part of the Open Circle next semester.
Wishing you a restful break.
Warm regards,
The Open Circle Team