In 2025, IHL conducted a survey to understand how internationals in Leuven and the surrounding areas were doing. One thing internationals mentioned they needed more of was mental health support.

So the monthly Mental Health Meetups at IHL started. Different topics are featured relating to mental health and the meetups are hosted by varying mental health professionals and coaches, bringing their expertise to the international community.

These events vary in format: some are informational, conversational, interactive, etc. It's a safe space to participate how you would like (active or passive).

The theme of the October meetup is "The 5 stages of grief and other myths".“Time heals all wounds.”“You must stay active.”“Stay strong for the others.”

We’ve all heard these phrases. Many of us have held onto them — sometimes because they offered comfort, sometimes because we didn’t know what else to say.

But what if these ideas aren’t as true and helpful as we think? What if grief doesn’t follow neat stages… doesn’t move forward in a straight line… doesn’t “resolve” on schedule? What if some of the most common things we say about loss actually make it harder, not easier?

In this workshop, we’ll gently challenge the stories we’ve been told about grief — and the ones we tell ourselves. Together, we’ll explore what grief really looks like: messy, unpredictable, deeply human. No timelines. No rules. No pressure to “be strong.”

If you’ve ever felt like your grief didn’t fit the model… If you’ve ever wondered why certain words didn’t help… Or if you’re simply curious to see grief from a completely different perspective —This space is for you.

Come question what you thought you knew. Come discover a more honest, compassionate way of understanding loss.Whether this topic feels close to you or is simply quietly present, you are welcome to join.

Practical:

Participation is free of charge, but please register as we limit the size of the group to enable a meaningful conversation.

Everybody is welcome and you really don't have to be a native English speaker to participate, just know that the conversation will take place in English.