PROBEN Project

PROBEN Project

Project for the Prevention of Pathological Addictions in Students

The Project

The PROBEN Project is an initiative of the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) aimed at promoting psychophysical well-being and countering psychological and emotional distress among students. Its goals include increasing knowledge and access to university support services and promoting academic commitment. A key focus is making these interventions structural and replicable over time.

Participating Institutions: University of Foggia (Lead), University of Verona, University of Bolzano, European University of Rome, University of Molise, Conservatory of Music of Verona, and Conservatory “Umberto Giordano” of Foggia.

Areas of Intervention:

• Promotion of psychological well-being and individual support.
• Promotion of community well-being.
• Economic and occupational orientation.
• Promoting healthy and active lifestyles through physical activity.

Target: Undergraduate students and, from Autumn 2025, postgraduate students (residents and PhD students).

Psychological Well-being

Counseling Service

Delivery Mode. The service is available in person or online at the offices located in Borgo Roma and Veronetta.

Psychological Needs Addressed. The service offers counseling and guidance for students who are experiencing difficulties, especially in relation to issues such as feelings of anxiety or demoralization, performance anxiety, uncertainty about future plans, exam-related stress, and procrastination.

How to Access the Service. The service is free of charge and open to all students enrolled at the University of Verona. Students may book up to ten sessions. Appointments can be requested by email at counseling.broma@ateneo.univr.it for degree programs based in the Borgo Roma area, or counseling.veronetta@ateneo.univr.it for degree programs based in the Veronetta area.

CAMPUS Project - Characterize and Address Mental health Problems in University Students

Active since the 2023/24 academic year, the Campus Project aims to carry out prevention activities and improve the psychological well-being of students with the course “Doing What Matters in Times of Stress” developed by the WHO.

The course is part of the Transversal Skills courses of the TaLC Center of the University of Verona, being delivered online via the “Moodle” intranet platform dedicated to university students, which they access with their credentials.

The first data collected on 1498 students who participated in the course and completed all the scheduled sessions and evaluations show a significant improvement in the levels of psychological well-being and a reduction in anxiety, depression, and stress.

Experiential Personal Development Workshop (in Italian only)

With the start of 2026, the first cycle of experiential meetings will begin with the aim of offering a space in which to reflect on one's university path and focus on one's resources and strengths. More information and meeting schedule starting from January 2026. Workshop upon registration.

Physical well-being and sports activity

Psychological well-being is also cared for through physical well-being. The PROBEN Project aims to create opportunities for sports practice with the aim of improving bio-psycho-social aspects, favoring social integration by preventing the sense of isolation, reducing levels of anxiety and stress, and contributing to a healthy and active lifestyle.

The PROBEN project proposes a wide range of motor and sports initiatives, including fitness courses such as Yoga, Pilates, Toning, Calisthenics, Postural Gymnastics, as well as team activities. Episodic initiatives are also planned, such as walks with participation in non-competitive marches, spring trekking, and days dedicated to dancing and fitness activities.

Those who join the project will receive 20 entries, which can be used freely in any proposed activity. Registration also includes a free sports medical examination with the issuance of a non-competitive certificate necessary for access to the scheduled activities.

FIT1 and FIT2: Gavagnin sports hall; Internal gym and external: Palazzo Ex-ISEF.

ℹ️ For info and registration:

• write an email to francesca.ciasullo@univr.it
• call the number 045 8425170 during the following hours: Monday and Thursday 12:00 – 15:00; Wednesday 8:30 – 10:30
• message on Instagram

📌 Suspension of activities:

• Easter Holidays: from Friday, April 3, 2026 to Monday, April 6, 2026;
• Labor Day: Friday, May 1, 2026;
• Republic Day: Tuesday, June 2.

Well-being, engagement, work

This intervention area promotes activities and TALCs on the theme of burnout, stress related to university study, and the most widespread fears among students. The calendar of proposals for the first months of 2026 will be available soon.

"Habits" Questionnaire

The HABITS survey analyzed the well-being and lifestyles of the student population, collecting data from 2,650 participants (approx. 9% of the total student body) through August 2025.

Key Findings:

• Academic Challenges: Significant stress regarding workload and exam management was noted particularly in Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Computer Science, Engineering, and Nursing.
• Social Climate: A high perception of detachment and competition among peers was reported, peaking at 50% in certain departments.
• Community Well-being: Students reported a lower sense of community well-being compared to personal or family-related satisfaction.
• Student Profile: 55% of students are employed, although many continue to live with their families.
• Addiction Risks: Notable data emerged concerning behavioral addictions, specifically regarding social media, smartphone usage, the internet, and gambling.

Artistic-musical experiences

In collaboration with the Conservatory of Verona, during the month of September 2025, musical improvisation and creation activities centered on listening and facilitated improvisation were proposed, favoring the interchange between university, AFAM (Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance), and the territory.

Technical data on the PROBEN Project

Participating Universities

Our University is part of a group of Universities, led by the University of Foggia. The other partner realities are the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, the European University of Rome, the University of Molise, and two Institutes of Higher Musical Education, the “Evaristo Felice Dall’Abaco” Conservatory of Music of Verona and the “Umberto Giordano” Conservatory of Foggia.

Funding and Context

PROBEN, now in its second year, is a project funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), dedicated to the promotion of psychophysical well-being and the contrast to phenomena of psychological and emotional distress of the student population.

Why is it Important?

PROBEN represents a unique opportunity to:

• Improve the quality of life of students.
• Create a replicable model for other institutions.
• Fight pathological addictions, such as smartphone addiction, through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach.

UNIVR subjects involved in the project

· Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement: Prof. Lidia Del Piccolo (coordination, assessment and counselling with the collaboration of Dr. Anna Paola Montagnoli, Dr. Francesco Pompei); Prof. Corrado Barbui (Department Director); Prof. Michela Nosé (Campus Project, online well-being promotion intervention “Doing what matters in moments of stress”); Prof. Federico Schena (sports well-being promotion); Doriana Rudi. Collaborators: Dr. Francesca Ciasullo, Dr. Marco Pattaro Zonta, , Dr. Barbara Segattini, Dr. Arianna Scalabrin.

· Department of Human Sciences: Prof. Riccardo Sartori.

· Administrative Management: Dr. Elisabetta Guidi (Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement).