Alarming numbers about anxiety disorders and depression in students
Generation Z enters university with many ambitions but also faces many psychological challenges. Academic pressure, expectations of early success, difficulties in adapting to a new environment, concerns about friendships and relationships... have pushed many young people into a state of stress, making them susceptible to anxiety disorders and depression if not supported promptly.
Unrelieved psychological pressure can easily lead to anxiety disorders and depression.
A 2023 study of 2,550 students at 20 universities showed that: Up to 60% of students have anxiety disorders, 40% have depression, 36.5% of students need mental health care. However, many young people do not know where to go for reputable examination and treatment, worry about costs, and fear discrimination.
This situation shows the need for psychological support for students in schools. However, currently, not many universities operate specialized psychological counseling rooms, or if they do, they operate only part-time.
"3 no's" psychological consultation: No imposition, no prejudice, no cost
Amidst that worrying picture, since 2022, Thang Long University has pioneered in building an independent, methodical Psychological Counseling Room.
The school's principal, Dr. Truong Nhat Hoa, shared that the school not only cares about academic results, but also wants to accompany the mental health of each student. Therefore, the school has established a Psychological Counseling Department led by a certified professional to provide timely support and accompany students to overcome invisible pressures.
Unlike manyeducational institutions that often integrate psychological support activities into concurrent departments, the Psychological Counseling Department at Thang Long University is an independent department, led by Ms. Tong Thi Khanh Huyen - MSc. Psychology trained under the Jean-Jaurès University program (France), with more than 10 years of experience in practicing psychological counseling for adolescents and adults. The counseling room is designed to be discreet to ensure privacy, but still close enough for students to open up. Before the consultation, students must sign a consultation agreement, ensuring the principles of ethical support, especially information confidentiality.
MSc. Khanh Huyen directly consults and supports students to overcome mental crisis
Do not impose quotas by linking counseling activities with training points and schools so that students come for psychological counseling because they need it, instead of being required, helping students trust and open up - something that most school counseling rooms today cannot do.
“Getting professional psychological support at school helps students see the problem more thoroughly, while if they go out to find counseling services, they have to pay a costly fee. There are students who enter the counseling room with loneliness and despair, but after a long time of being counseled by me once a week, they have overcome suicidal thoughts, continue studying, graduate, and confidently find jobs,” said Master Khanh Huyen.
Another activity that is regularly carried out is “Peer Consultation”. Volunteers (TNV) are Thang Long students who are trained to become a bridge to listen and provide emotional support to their friends through 1:1 conversations. This is a clever approach, suitable for the psychology of young people who easily open up to share with friends.
Volunteers participate in peer counseling activities
Exhibition "Finding the meaning of life" in response to World Suicide Prevention Day
Linh Dan, a second-year student majoring in Tourism and Travel Services Management and also a volunteer at the Psychological Counseling Department, shared: “The Psychological Counseling Department has helped me deal with a lot of psychological trauma that occurred since I was a child. I learned how to be tolerant of myself, control anxiety, and love myself properly. Therefore, I decided to become a volunteer to help other students boldly seek support when needed, just like how I was helped.”
Pieces of paper with students' comments after participating in the event organized by the Psychological Counseling Department
The practical effectiveness of the Psychological Counseling Room of Thang Long University shows that a safe, non-judgmental space in school can become a “lifebuoy” for young people struggling between pressure and loneliness. And if every school has such a “lifebuoy”, many silent mental crises in young people will be prevented in time.
Bich Dao
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/can-phong-chua-lanh-dac-biet-cua-sinh-vien-truong-dai-hoc-thang-long-2412342.html
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