ESTSS warmly congratulates former ESTSS President and current Treasurer Dr Joanne Mouthaan and her colleagues on receiving second prize in the 2026 Dutch Education Awards.
The award was presented on 25 June at the Comenius Festival to a national collaboration led by Dr Mouthaan. The team will receive €800,000 to expand on their work in developing and implementing the National Suicide Prevention Skills Learning Pathway for Psychology Students.
The learning pathway was developed in response to the uncertainty many health professionals experience when recognising and responding to signs that someone may be suicidal. It equips psychology students at bachelor’s, master’s and postgraduate levels with the knowledge and practical skills needed to recognise, discuss and respond appropriately to suicidal thoughts.
Six universities have already incorporated the pathway into their curricula, while two others offer it as an optional module. Adapted versions are also being used in 26 vocational and higher vocational mental health programmes.
The award will allow the team to strengthen the national network supporting the learning pathway, evaluate its impact and explore the use of artificial intelligence. One planned development will enable students to practise their skills with simulated AI patients.
The longer-term ambition is to make structured training, in suicide-prevention and wider mental health outcomes, available across mental health education, helping future professionals enter practice with greater confidence, awareness and competence.
The ESTSS Board and wider community extend their warmest congratulations to Joanne and the entire project team on this important achievement.
