A Basic Counselling Skills training programme was recently conducted for The Peer Counsellors Group at a local university to support mental health and wellbeing among students. The chosen students are in charge of providing support and outreach to their peers who may be experiencing emotional distress. The programme’s motto is “Listen More, Judge Less,” and it aims to promote empathy and provide a safe space for people to express their feelings.
The training was held on a Saturday and was led by 11 students from various faculties and three registered counsellors. The programme covered important skills like active listening, empathy, and nonjudgmental communication. The training’s goal was to provide Peer Counsellors with the skills they needed to provide effective support to their peers while also encouraging them to seek professional help when necessary.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every four people worldwide suffers from a mental health condition, with many cases going undiagnosed and untreated. According to studies, the prevalence of mental health disorders among university students in Malaysia is increasing, with anxiety and depression being the most common. The Basic Counselling Skills training programme aims to fill a gap in mental health support for students by providing accessible and peer-based support.
Every year, the Peer Counsellors Group is formed, with a term of service lasting for a year. Participants have given the programme positive feedback, saying they feel more prepared to handle difficult situations and are better able to support their peers. The university hopes to continue and expand this initiative to reach more students in need of mental health support.
The Basic Counselling Skills training programme for The Peer Counsellors Group is an important step towards addressing university students’ mental health needs. With mental health issues on the rise, it is critical to provide students in distress with accessible and peer-based support. The university is taking an important step towards creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all by providing students with the skills necessary to provide support.
