UOH sets up centre for student counselling

VC says psychological assistance as important as medical treatment

HARIPUR:

The University of Haripur (UOH) has set a precedent in the Hazara Division by setting up the first-of-its-kind University of Haripur Center for Counseling and Social Wellbeing (UOH-CCSW).

Haripur University Vice Chancellor Prof Anwarul Hassan Gilani inaugurated the centre the other day.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Gilani said that mental health issues are generally ignored by most of the people in society. Psychological counseling, diagnosis and prescribed treatment are as important as medical treatment.

He further said that the solution of many of our social problems these days is possible only through proper diagnosis and psychological counseling. Therefore, in realisation of the needs of the students, staff of the university and the community, Haripur University has inaugurated the division’s first psychological counseling center.

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The center will not only provide technical training to the students of the university but will also provide counseling and assessment facilities on psychological issues with the faculty and other staff of the university. Male psychologists will consult with men and female psychologists with women.

UOH-CCSW Director and Associate Professor Dr Rizwan said that Pakistani society, like the rest of the world, has been equally affected by the abuse of tobacco, drugs and narcotics. This center will provide excellent services in this regard, he said, adding that counseling services will also be offered in individual and group formats to combat aggressive and emotional attitudes, lack of self-confidence, anxiety, depressed feelings, psychological well-being and negative emotions.

Individuals will also be trained to deal with interpersonal relationships, educational difficulties, disagreements with parents, family, friends, peers and others, and any other type of mild or moderate or aggressive psychological distress and challenges.

Apart from Haripur, mental health camps, seminars, conferences and lectures will be organised in urban and rural areas of other districts and work will be done on documentaries, dramas, short films, talk shows on TV and social media campaigns.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2022.