Pillars of Well-being and Mental Health at Vienna BioCenter

The Vienna BioCenter provides a vibrant environment for high-level science and groundbreaking discoveries. We believe that prioritizing the well-being and mental health of our individual members and groups strengthens this scientific enterprise. Fostering a culture of psychological safety ensures our community can fully enjoy the unique rewards of scientific life--intellectual freedom, flexible work structures, and enthusiastic community dedicated to discovery--while remaining resilient in the face of the high expectations and inherent pressures of elite research.

Our mental health support is focused on two primary areas: fostering a healthy campus culture and providing access to professional coaching and counseling when it is needed most. We also recognize that career development and future uncertainty are significant factors in well-being, which we address through our dedicated training and professional development programming.

Campus Culture and Community

This pillar focuses on the environment we share. It includes our social activities and sports program, mental health awareness campaigns, and leadership training for supervisors. It also encompasses the work of our trainee representatives to ensure your voice helps shape campus improvements.

Connecting with others and engaging in social activities is a powerful way to lower stress and build a strong support network. At the Vienna BioCenter, there are ample opportunities to socialize, unwind, and have fun together. 

Regular social hours provide the perfect setting to relax and meet new colleagues in an informal atmosphere. PhD and Postdoc retreats offer a break from the lab, allowing you connect with peers and engage in scientific and career development discussions. Another seasonal highlights are Halloween and Christmas parties, theater plays by the Amateur Dramatic Club, concerts of our campus musicians' group, and lectures/support groups organized by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Group. These communities showcase the many opportunities the Vienna BioCenter offers to thrive and find inspiration beyond the bench. 

Regular physical activity helps reduce stress, lifts the mood, improves concentration, and strengthens resilience - making exercise a valuable support tool for physical and mental well-being within the environment of the Vienna BioCenter. On campus, you can choose from a wide range of activities, including yoga, crossfit, dance classes, and various ball sports. More information about specific offers here.

The Vienna BioCenter Leadership Program has trained many supervisors in skills such as communicating expectations, establishing and maintaining a values-based team culture, conflict resolution, and group dynamics. A similar training is offered annually to PhD students and postdocs, thus setting a common standard of background knowledge and language that promotes a professional, supportive campus culture.

There are PhD student and postdoc representatives who volunteer to liaison between trainees, faculty, and administration. In addition to raising trainees' concerns and ideas on an ad hoc basis, they organize an annual survey on topics such as satisfaction with campus services; work-life balance; and trainee mental health. The survey results are communicated to peers in townhall meetings and to the faculty and administration of each institute. Campus initiatives and programs often come out of suggestions from the surveys or problems identified by the surveys.

Students and postdocs also actively contribute to the campus through leading programs and events such as Industry Insights, EDI Group, How Do You Do It?, retreats, and the annual PhD Symposium.

There are different initiatives on campus to learn about mental health related to the workplace. We host regular workshops (either on campus or at the PhD/postdoc retreats) on stress management and work-life balance. For example, a mental health awareness campaign called “Mind Matters” was organized in 2023 by PhD students, postdocs and other volunteers at the Vienna BioCenter.  The “Windhund 365 talks” deal with different topics of a healthy body and mind were arranged by the Environment, Health and Safety department. Such offers vary each year; employees are kept updated via mail. 

Coaching and Counseling

The second pillar is providing access to professional support. Studying for a PhD or being a postdoc is an exciting but sometimes challenging journey. There will be stretches of abundant enthusiasm, motivation, and productivity; and there will be seemingly unsurmountable bumps in the road. Of course, you can always ask for advice from your supervisor, mentors, peers, reps (PhD/postdoc), or the Scientific Training team, but sometimes we need more structured help to address the challenges life throws at us. The following list contains a range of confidential and free coaching and counseling services available to all staff when needed.

Dr. Florian Grössel offers 1-on-1 coaching, group coaching, peer group support or seminars for employees and students ofIMP, IMBA, GMI, Max Perutz Labs and Vienna BioCenter Core Facilities. Two sessions are free of charge, and they are offered in English and German. For more information you can contact him directly at florian.groessl(at)imp.ac.at.

The Institute for Vitalpsychology (iVip) offers consultations for employees and students of IMP, IMBA, GMI and Vienna BioCenter Facilities regarding work related and/or private challenges that have an impact on work, health or well-being. Two sessions are free of charge, and they are offered in English and German. For more information you can contact Dr. Verena Monschi - the contact person of Vitalpsychology: v.monschi(at)vitalpsychologie.at

The Work & Occupational Psychology Team of the University of Vienna offers consultations for employees of the University of Viennaand the Max Perutz Labs regarding all general psychological and psychosocial issues of employees. Free of charge. For more information you can contact the following email address: rrm.arbeitspsychologie(at)univie.ac.at

Psychological counseling services of the University of Vienna offer psychological counseling for Master and PhDstudents of the University of Viennaand Medical University of Vienna and persons applying for studies including personal, studying, and social issues or career decision. Free of charge. Services are available in German and English. For more information you can contact the following email address: psychologische.studentenberatung(at)univie.ac.at

 

You can address any topic that bothers you related to your work or private life on which you need to reflect. Be it acute stress, bullying, harassment, a crisis situation, stress management, career plans, communication challenges, reflecting on where you are and where you want to go, as well as private challenges regarding family & relationships.

Is use of these mental health opportunities reported or recorded?

No. Identity, personal data and the consultation itself are strictly confidential.

I am not sure what I need: coaching/counseling vs psychotherapy

The decision between Psychotherapy and Counseling/ Coaching is not a clear line, here are some orientation points:

  • Status of the client: Psychotherapist can treat psychopathologies, where clients feel bad in many different areas of life and increasingly have difficulties taking care of themselves.
  • Responsibility: The psychotherapist can take responsibility for the client whereas in coaching/ counseling, the coach/counselor leaves the responsibility with the client.
  • Coaching/Counseling is less about restoring function and more about maintaining or improving skills, coping strategies and feeling states.
  • Length: Psychotherapy can take up to one year whereas coaching typically lasts between 5 - 10 sessions.

Whether coaching/counseling or psychotherapy, the connection of trust between coach/counselor/therapist and client is the basis to improve your situation. It is important to view these things on a case to case basis. No matter whom you contact, people will help you figure out what’s best for you, and if you do not feel comfortable you can easily switch your counselor.

The Vienna BioCenter respects personal dignity, privacy, and personal rights of every employee and is committed to maintaining a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. Trained Ombudspeople provide informal, confidential advice and information to staff and students on issues related to bullying, harassment, power abuse and sexual misconduct, and guidance about next steps. Please find more information on this service here.

Students of the PhD Program and employees of the University of Vienna also have access to all resources of the University of Vienna, such as u:respect.

Emergency and External Support

The Crisis Intervention Center Vienna is a multiprofessional team of psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers who offer free of charge consultations for adults regarding acute stress caused from work or personal issues. The website is available in English and German. For more information you can contact them via https://kriseninterventionszentrum.at/en/contact/

Opening hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Social Psychiatric Emergency Service in Vienna provides free, immediate, professional support for adultsexperiencing acute psychiatric or psychosocial crises, including severe stress, emotional distress, or other urgent mental health concerns. The service is available 24/7 by phone, and information about the crisis hotline is also available in English.

Contact: Phone: +43 1 31330 

TelefonSeelsorge Austria is a confidential, free-of-charge telephone and online support service available for anyone in emotional distress or facing personal crises. Trained counselors provide listening, guidance, and support for issues such as loneliness, anxiety, stress, or suicidal thoughts. The service operates 24/7.

Contact: Phone: 142 

The Social Services Hotline Vienna is a free and confidential service for residents facing personal, social, or life challenges. Professional social workers provide support, guidance, and practical advice for issues such as family conflicts, financial difficulties, housing concerns, or other life challenges. Consultations are available by phone or email but may be primarily in German.

Contact: sozialruf(at)m47.magwien.gv.at | Phone: +43 1 53377 77

Opening hours: Daily, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

While the Vienna BioCenter provides subsidized coaching and psychological support (see above), you may also choose to seek long-term psychotherapy through the Austrian healthcare system or private practice. Please note that these external services are not subsidized by the workplace; however, they may be partially or fully covered by health insurance depending on provider and diagnosis. 

These directories help individuals find appropriate professional support and are primarily in German; many individual therapists offer sessions in English.