Every year, World Health Organization (WHO) observes World Mental Health Day on October 10 with the overall objective of raising the awareness on mental health issues around the world. As part of this worldwide awareness campaign, BRAC University Counseling Unit conducted a series of workshop on different psychosocial issues on October 29 from 2.00pm to 8.30pm at Residential Campus, Savar.
The program started with a brief session about the awareness on mental health well-being and the significant role of the counseling unit play in this regard. Mr. Rehan Ahmed, Campus Superintendent of Residential Campus inaugurated the briefing session and shares his insightful thoughts about counseling and how to overcome social stigma against taking mental health service. Concluded part was discussed by Ms. Safina Binte Enayet by sharing her views and giving thanks to all the students of Residential Semester Fall-2016, members of the Counseling Unit, admin and management staff who supported to organize the day successfully.
After the briefing session, counseling unit conducted total 9 workshops, where each student signed up early by their own choice. Total 523 students participated in the workshop program. The workshops topic were “How to Manage Anger in Healthy Way”, “Let’s Appreciate Ourselves”, “Bullying and Mental Health”, “Self Empowerment against Sexual Harassment”, “How to Say Hello”, “Psychological First Aid”, “Love, Laugh and Learn- video presentation” and “Meditation” in two parts has been conducted. Each workshop designed in such way where students can get some idea about it, know about the impact of that specific issue and get many tips to overcome from the problem. Moreover, the aim of the every workshop was to make the students aware about self and enhance their personal growth. In addition, workshops were consisted of brainstorming, role play, group discussion, meditation and some other activity which made those workshops interesting and motivating for the students. Students expressed their need to do such workshop throughout their university life and also suggested to conduct workshops on many other psychosocial issues as well.