The primary objective of the Politecnico is to promote the full realization of those who work and study there, through the promotion of physical, psychological, and social well-being.
Fundamental to improving corporate well-being is the care and attention given to the people who make up the University.
On the one hand, there are welfare services, and on the other, there is the well-being of an organizational life that concerns the relationship between the individual, work, and the organization as a whole.
To ensure that life at the University is truly of high quality, Politecnico di Torino has introduced a biennial Survey on Organizational Well-being and a Counselling service, designed to support the entire University community. These are complemented by specific services aimed at the student population (Mental health couselling service, Passi@PoliTO for international students) and specific projects such as the SAMBA Project (Health, Physical Activity, and Well-being in Academia), within which SUPERA@POLITO - a help desk for academic success, and support programmes for students with learning difficulties have been activated.
The Counselling service (Spazio di ascolto) is a service for the student community and staff of the Politecnico, directed at people experiencing psychological distress.
For the student community, it can be about issues in dealing with certain situations in their university experience, such as anxiety, lack of motivation, relational discomfort, difficulties in concentrating or organising time and study.
As far as TAB, teaching, research and fellowship staff are concerned, it can be a matter of becoming aware of and understanding their own emotional experiences regarding to the execution of their work and the inconveniences that may arise from it, and see possible solutions.
Listening, counselling and support are offered in complete confidentiality by staff with an extensive experience in psychology, thanks to the availability of the Department of Psychology of the University of Turin, which collaborates with the Politecnico in providing such a service.
Remote sessions are also possible: in this case, you will need to be equipped with a microphone and web cam for the sessions.
Requests will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Read more
| What it is | A psychological consultation session in a non-clinical context, encouraging - in many cases for the first time - to seek help even on non-academic issues. |
| What it can do | An initial interview in order to analyse the request, further investigate the reasons for the counselling request and direct towards the most appropriate form of treatment relating to the request. The offer includes up to five individual sessions geared towards the support, the development of resources and the identification of difficulties and critical issues related to adapting to university life. |
| What it cannot do | It does not deal with issues relating to university orientation, emergency situations (112) or those requiring psychiatric treatment (Health Service). |
| Main situations for which one can request a session | All those situations that can be addressed through the activation of psychological resources and appropriate coping strategies such as:
|
| Who is it for? | The entire Politecnico community |
| Process and professional figures | The sessions made available (usually 5 at fortnight intervals) are held by psychologists who are qualified psychotherapy specialists from the Department of Psychology of the University of Turin. To access the counselling service, you must fill in the form at this link, indicating your mobile phone number and your institutional university email. In the following days - based on requests, waiting times may be longer, but normally after a few days - applicants will receive a message on their mobile phone indicating the time and day of their first telephone interview session with a psychologist. Following this first interview, the person will be assigned to a psychologist on the basis of their availability and the matters highlighted during the telephone interview. The cycle of 5 sessions is held online on Webex or Skype Other platforms may be used in agreement with the contacted psychologist. If you have any doubts and/or want to monitor the waiting times, you can write to: spazioascolto@unito.it. It is always necessary to check that the data entered in the form are correct and to check messages and e-mails regularly: due to the large number of requests, it is not possible to call back several times and the scheduled appointment lapses 48 hours after sending the e-mail. |
Service information and data
In this document (in Italian), you can read the data, updated to December 2024, which tell the story of the service and its progress in terms of the number of requests for the Counselling Service by type of applicant and by gender, the tool for the evaluation of outcomes and the actual evaluation of the service.
Passi@UniTo is a pilot project of Università di Torino, in which Politecnico di Torino participates. It aims to facilitate the presence and improve the process of academic insertion and local integration of international male and female students enrolled in the two universities, mainly from non-EU countries characterized by the use of educational, scholastic and social models that are culturally different from European ones.
Passi@PoliTo is a psychological counseling service that offers a space, in presence and remotely, for listening and understanding of practical difficulties and emotional issues that may arise during the course of studies and experience in Turin.
The service is free and bookable by appointment at passi@polito.it
Concerning the prevention and treatment of mental health problems experienced by people studying at Politecnico, a mental health counselling service is available, thanks to a collaboration between the Università degli Studi di Torino Neuroscience Department and the Politecnico di Torino.
The counselling service aimes to support off-site students who need continuity for therapeutic support for mental problems and/or need to begin a counselling pathway by a professional and possible follow-up care.
The process to access the service involves the following steps:
- firstly the person has to contact and be taken into care either by Spazio d’Ascolto (for Italian students) or by PASSI service (for foreign students);
- the mental health professional in charge of the case, after an appropriate assessment, if deemed necessary, starts a hospitalization process to the University Department of the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital;
- the reference professional put the person on the patient waiting list and, on the basis of the advancement of the list itself, a consultation pathway may begin;
- diagnosis and treatment take place, depending on the needs assessed on a case-by-case basis, at the outpatient services, the inpatient wards or the emergency department of the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital;
Politecnico di Torino, in line with its commitment to promoting the well-being of its student community, supports the SAMBA (Health, Physical Activity and Well-being in Academy) project. This inter-university initiative is developed in partnership with the following universities and AFAM institutions in Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta:
- Università degli Studi di Torino (Lead Institution);
- Università degli Studi di Scienze Gastronomiche;
- Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti di Torino;
- Conservatorio Statale di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” di Torino;
- Istituto Musicale Pareggiato della Valle d’Aosta.
The aim of SAMBA is to promote students’ psychophysical well-being and to provide support in dealing with psychological and emotional distress. It achieves this through enhancement of existing services and establishment of new dedicated programs.
The initiatives focus on five main areas:
- psychological support through individual and group sessions, focused on anxiety management and emotional regulation;
- assistance for students with study difficulties or Special Educational Needs (SEN);
- prevention programs aimed at counteracting addictions and harmful behaviors;
- workshops on art, conscious eating and overall well-being;
- physical and sports activities.
Provided services
SAMBA offers a wide range of services and activities to students from all participating universities and AFAM Institutions, many of which are hosted at Politecnico’s premises. These include:
- SUPERA@POLITO Help Desk – Academic Success Support Desk;
- Study Method Enhancement Course;
- Study-Related Anxiety Management Course;
- “Smartphone: Technology, Economy, and Power” Workshop;
Along with numerous other initiatives.
Students are also welcome to participate in all activities and services offered by partner universities and AFAM Institutions.
Access and participation
Participation in all activities within the SAMBA project is entirely free.
To book a session with the SUPERA@POLITO Help Desk, please refer to the dedicated section on the university portal.
To register for the Study Method Enhancement Course or the Study-Related Anxiety Management Course, please also refer to the dedicated section on the university portal.
To view the full list of offerings and participate in other initiatives, please visit the official SAMBA project website.
All initiatives related to the project reflect Politecnico di Torino’s ongoing commitment to promoting academic success, inclusion, and psychological well-being within its student community.
Project funded with the contribution of the Ministry of University and Research pursuant to D.D. No. 1159 of July 23rd, 2023 - PROBEN Call - Project PROBEN_0000010 “Health, Physical Activity and Well-being in Academia (S.A.M.B.A.)”
As part of the initiatives promoted through the SAMBA project, Politecnico di Torino has launched SUPERA@POLITO, a dedicated support desk aimed at fostering students’ academic success and overall well-being.
SUPERA@POLITO provides a welcoming space for students encountering academic struggles—such as difficulties in studying or exam performance—offering guidance on how to address them effectively. It also assists with managing emotional struggles and provides clarification on academic pathways.
Target audience
The service is available to the entire student community of Politecnico di Torino, with a personalized approach to the educational and psychological needs that may arise during university life.
Provided services
Through an individual interview held at dedicated premises of Politecnico, SUPERA@POLITO offers an initial listening session aimed at identifying specific needs and activating the most suitable support pathway among the following:
- reinforcement courses on the small group study method;
- study-related anxiety management course;
- individual interviews through the university’s Counseling Service (Spazio di ascolto);
- individual interviews at Passi@PoliTO (for international students);
- individual interviews at the Mental Health Counseling Service;
- support programs for students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SpLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN);
- individual orientation and reorientation paths;
- complementary activities offered by the SAMBA project.
Access and Participation
The service is free for all Politecnico students.
To request an appointment, please send an email to: supera@polito.it.
(a) Project launched in close collaboration with the Università degli Studi di Torino
Project funded by the contribution of the Ministry of University and Research pursuant to D.D. No. 1159 of July 23rd, 2023 - PROBEN Call - Project PROBEN_0000010 “Health, Physical Activity and Well-being in Academia (S.A.M.B.A.)”
In collaboration with the University of Turin and as part of the SAMBA project, Politecnico di Torino has launched two specific courses aimed at supporting students in their academic journey: one focused on the enhancement of the study method and another on the management of study‑related anxiety.
Study Method Enhancement Course
Objective
The course aims to provide effective and personalized tools to optimize learning skills. It follows a practical and interactive approach adapted to the participants’ specific needs to improve their organization and study planning.
Target audience
The course is open to all students enrolled at Politecnico di Torino.
Course content
Participants will:
- develop study planning and organization skills;
- understand and enhance their own learning style through metacognition;
- learn targeted strategies to optimize their studying habits;
- participate in group work and guided reflection sessions;
- learn effective strategies for facing exams with greater confidence.
Schedule | May – September 2025
The course includes 7 sessions of 4 hours each, offered in 4 editions. Sessions will be held at Politecnico’s premises as follows:
- Wednesday afternoons (starting on May 21st) – 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM – Via Morgari (Room 5VM);
- Thursday afternoons (starting on May 22nd) – 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM – Via Morgari (Room 5VM);
- Saturday mornings (starting on May 24th) – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Corso Duca degli Abruzzi (Room 17 / Room 19).
The full calendar is available at the following link.
Please note that the course is held in Italian.
Registration
The service is free. Registration can be completed via:
- Google Forms;
- WhatsApp at +39 366 697 5268;
- email at supera@polito.it.
Course for the Management of Study-Related Anxiety
Objective
The course is designed to help students analyze and manage anxiety related to classes and exams, which can impair performance and prevent the full expression of one’s potential. Through a guided program led by qualified and experienced professionals, participants will learn techniques to reduce academic stress and develop a more balanced approach to university life, without giving up their passions.
Target Audience
The course is open to all students enrolled at Politecnico di Torino.
Course Content
Participants will:
- learn to analyze anxiety to understand whether it is debilitating (true anxiety) or beneficial (anticipatory anxiety);
- learn to tolerate anticipatory anxiety, recognizing it as a helpful ally that can boost focus and cognitive energy;
- mitigate and manage debilitating anxiety through practical techniques and strategies useful for studying and university life;
- discover the strength of group collaboration and cooperation between fellow students, encouraging emotional sharing and experience exchange.
Schedule | May – September 2025
The course includes 7 sessions of 2 hours each, offered in 4 editions. All editions will be held at the Special Needs Study Room as follows:
- Tuesday mornings (starting on May 20th) – 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM;
- Wednesday mornings (starting on May 21st) – 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM;
- Saturday mornings (starting on May 24th) – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM;
- Mixed edition (starting on May 24th): Friday mornings 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and Saturday mornings 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The full calendar is available at the following link.
Please note that the course is held in Italian.
Registration
The service is free. Registration can be completed via:
- Google Forms;
- WhatsApp at +39 366 697 5268;
- email at supera@polito.it.
Project funded by the contribution of the Ministry of University and Research pursuant to D.D. No. 1159 of July 23rd, 2023 - PROBEN Call - Project PROBEN_0000010 “Health, Physical Activity and Well-being in Academia (S.A.M.B.A.)”
The Survey on the quality of organizational life has the aim of providing a frame of the organizational well-being of Politecnico through the analysis of the data, which are collected through a specific questionnaire, by the team of the Department of Psychology of the University of Turin. The questionnaire is submitted through an IT platform, which guarantees respect for privacy and the collection of data in aggregate form.
At its third edition in 2021, it is a survey activity aimed at collecting the perceptions of those who work and study at Politecnico di Torino on a combination of factors that define the quality of organizational life. The goal is identifying all elements that can affect the level of well-being of the people who work and study at Politecnico, by influencing it positively or negatively.
To access the Survey area reserved for you, please log in by clicking on the link below.