Digital Balance and Mental Health Promotion

Explore the impact of digital overuse, and discover how nature-based interventions can promote healthier, more connected lives.

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CIVIS focus area
Health
Open to
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Phd
Field of studies
  • Computer Science and IT
  • Medicine and Health
  • Social Science and humanities
  • Environmental sciences, Urbanism, Geography
Type
  • Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP)
Course dates
10 February - 5 June 2026
Apply by
30 Oktober 2025 Apply now
The primary objectives of this BIP are to:
  1. equip students with strategies to address digital overuse and promote mental well-being;
  2. foster interdisciplinary collaboration by integrating public health, psychology, and environmental sciences;
  3. encourage nature-based interventions to balance technology use and enhance resilience.

These goals align with the CIVIS Alliance’s mission to promote international collaboration, interdisciplinary education, and sustainable solutions for societal challenges. The program supports students’ learning by providing evidence-based knowledge, practical skills, and opportunities to engage in critical reflection and intercultural dialogue.

Structure:

Virtual Program (10 sessions)

  • weekly 2-hour sessions covering digital habits, mental health impacts, and nature-based interventions led by our team of experts;
  • activities: online lectures; pre-recorded lectures, interactive webinars, and self-assessments.

In person training (5 days)

  • immersive experiences like forest bathing and workshops on digital detox strategies.
  • hands-on activities: Designing community programs and personal action plans.

Following this BIP, the students will gain:

  • digital literacy and tools for mindful technology use;
  • insights into the mental health benefits of nature-based practices;
  • skills to develop community-based wellness initiatives, fostering leadership and advocacy.

Main topics addressed

  • Understanding the psychology and mental health implications of digital technology use
  • Digital Hygiene
  • Digital Business Ecosystems

Learning outcomes

  • knowledge of Digital Abuse: understanding the effects of digital abuse on mental health, addressing psychological, social, and cultural factors;
  • nature-based interventions: knowledge of their effectiveness on mental health;
  • interdisciplinary collaboration: skills in collaborating to design holistic interventions;
  • problem-solving and critical thinking: developing problem-solving abilities and creating evidence-based solutions;
  • practical nature-based activities: hands-on experience in designing and implementing mental health interventions;
  • communication and peer facilitation: improving communication and facilitation skills;
  • independent research and reflection;
  • intervention implementation and evaluation of nature-based interventions.
Dates: 10 February - 5 June 2026 Total workload: 120 hours
Format: Blended ECTS: 4*
Location: Brussels, Belgium Language: English (B2)
Contact: sandra.tricas-sauras@ulb.be  

*recognition of ECTS depends on your home university

Physical mobility

The physical mobility section of the BIP will take place between 1-5 June 2026, in Brussels, Belgium.

Day 1: Digital Balance & Nature-Based Interventions (ULB Campus Erasme)

  • Digital health, nature-based interventions, sensory awareness
  • Icebreaker: “Digital Footprints & Nature Roots”
  • Lecture 1: The Psychology of Digital Overuse
  • Lecture 2: Nature as a Tool for Digital Health Promotion
  • Parcours Méditatif
  • Assignment briefing & group formation

Day 2: Mental Health Systems & Digital Self-Regulation (ULB Campus & Hôpital Erasme)

  • Mental health services, self-regulation, public health interventions
  • Icebreaker: “My Digital Story” 
  • Lecture 1: Digital Life & Mental Health
  • Hospital visit & discussion
  • Lecture 2: Strategies for Digital Balance Workshop: 
  • Micro-intervention design

Day 3: Reconnecting with Forests & Focus (Forest Visit - Namur area, field trip with SRFB)

  • Forest therapy, ecological mindfulness, attention restoration
  • Tech-free travel & reflection
  • Forest immersion & sensory grounding
  • Lecture 1: Cognitive Restoration
  • Lecture 2: Forest-Based Interventions
  • Reflection workshop: “Digital Balance Postcards”

Day 4: Nature in the City: Urban Fieldwork (Green urban spaces - Bois de la Cambre, Forêt de Soignes)

  • Urban nature, citizen science, peer learning
  • Introduction to group projects: Field observation
  • Data collection & interpretation
  • Prep for final presentations

Day 5: Final Presentations & Wrap-Up (ULB Campus)

  • Synthesis, peer evaluation, personal transformation
  • Icebreaker: “My BIP in One Word”
  • Group presentations
  • Discussion: “Insights & Commitments”
  • BIP Evaluation
  • Reflection & certificate ceremony

Virtual part

The course will run online over 10 Wednesdays, from 5 PM to 7 PM, between 10 February - 13 May 2026. The sessions will explore the intersection of digital behavior, mental health, and nature-based approaches to well-being. 

Key topics and subsequent lectures include:

  • Understanding Digital Abuse
  • Digital Hygiene and Self-Regulation
  • The Digital Business Ecosystem
  • Nature-Based Health Interventions: Forest Bathing
  • The Impact of Digital Use on Mental Health
  • Design Thinking for Well-Being Interventions
  • Bridging Theory and Practice

Assessment

Students will be evaluated based on several key criteria, focusing on skills, knowledge, and competencies gained through the BIP:

  • knowledge and understanding: mastery of digital abuse's effects on mental health and the role of nature-based interventions in improving well-being;
  • problem-solving and critical thinking: ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and design evidence-based solutions, integrating interdisciplinary perspectives;
  • collaboration and communication: effective teamwork, idea-sharing, and clear communication in both written and oral formats;
  • practical application: designing and implementing nature-based interventions with attention to context and effectiveness, and evaluating their potential impact.
  • research and independent learning: conducting independent research, synthesizing findings, and reflecting on personal learning progress;
  • engagement and participation: active involvement in all activities, including group discussions, case studies, and workshops, contributing to peer learning.

The assessment will be guided by a clear rubric, ensuring transparency and consistency in evaluation by its RUBRICA.

The programme is open to students at CIVIS member universities from all academic levels (Bachelor, Master, PhD), with an interest in good screen use and nature based interventions.

A B2 level in English is required, along with:

  • critical understanding of digital overuse and its impact on mental health;
  • knowledge of nature-based and community-based mental health interventions;
  • interdisciplinary collaboration skills across health, psychology, education, and digital studies;
  • intercultural teamwork and communication in an international academic setting;
  • practical tools for promoting digital balance and mental well-being in diverse populations. 
This CIVIS course is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) - a new format of Erasmus+ mobility which combines online teaching with a short trip to another campus to learn alongside students and professors across Europe.

NB: Visiting Students - Erasmus Funding Eligibility

To be eligible for your selected CIVIS programme, you must be a fully enrolled student at your CIVIS home university at the time you will be undertaking the programme. Applications for this course are only available for the 11 CIVIS member universities in Europe.

Partner universities:

  • Sapienza Università di Roma (Italia)
  • Stockholm University (Sweden)
  • Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium)
  • University of Glasgow (UK)
  • Université de Lausanne (Switzerland)

Professors

  • Prof. Sandra Tricas-Sauras, Université Libre de Bruxelles, professor at chair in Health Promotion. Strong focus on adolescent health, prevention, and health promotion (alcohol, tobacco and screens). Her recent work includes research on digital behaviours and their impact on youth mental health as well as nature-based interventions. 
  • Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Latorre. Sapienza University of Rome. Full Professor of Occupational Medicine at Sapienza University of Rome and Head of the Occupational Medicine Unit at Policlinico Umberto I. His research spans occupational medicine, public health, health promotion, and health technology assessment. With over 600 peer-reviewed publications and a strong focus on evidence-based prevention strategies, he is a leading figure in epidemiological research and public health policy in Europe.
  • Dr. Lucia Filomeno. Sapienza University of Rome. Research Fellow at Sapienza University of Rome. Department of Neurology at AOU Policlinico Umberto I. Her research focuses on nursing, public health, and healthcare management, with a particular interest in mental health and the impact of digitalization on psychological well-being. She is currently investigating strategies to promote digital self-regulation.
  • Prof. Simon Hacks. Stockholm University. His research focuses on Enterprise Architecture (EA) quality, where he introduced the concept of EA Debt to extend Technical Debt into broader organizational contexts. He also works on model reuse for attack simulations and leads the development of the Meta Attack Language (MAL), enabling domain-specific languages (DSLs) for cybersecurity. 
  • Dr. Avril Johnstone. University of Glasgow. Based at the Dr. Johnstone is a specialist in physical activity, mental health, and public health interventions. She explores innovative methods—including nature-based and community-led approaches—to enhance mental well-being.
  • Dr. Maèva Flayelle. University of Lausanne (UNIL). Postdoctoral researcher at the specializing in cyberpsychology. Her work focuses on the psychological effects of digital media, particularly binge-watching and other potentially addictive online behaviours. She has developed widely used tools for assessing media use patterns.  

 

Send your application by filling in the online application form by 30 October 2025, and also including a Motivation letter.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Motivation (40%) - Is the student clearly interested and motivated to join the program? Does the letter explain why and how it fits their goals?
  • Academic Fit (25%) -  Does the student’s background match the topic of the program? Are they at the right level of study?
  • Language & Communication (15%) - Can the student communicate well in the program’s working language (usually English)?
  • Openness & Team Spirit (10%) - Is the student open to working in a diverse, international team?
  • Inclusion / Priority Criteria (10%)

Apply now

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