Welcome to the
Centre for Counselling and Health Services (CCHS)!
Introduction
The Centre for Counselling & Health Services (CCHS), an integral part of the University, is a student support service intended to help students adapt and make the best of their learning environment. It is common knowledge that when students have problems that are unresolved, it reflects in their attendance, academic performance and ultimately in their personality development. The Centre therefore attempts to provide a nurturing environment wherein each student is empowered to face life challenges and move ahead to achieve their academic goals.
Testimonials
“ All of us who’ve been a part of the peer education program would undoubtedly credit our mentors and the course structure with well-deserved praises. Each session was so wonderfully curated to address specific aspects of our individuality, and personally, some of the most impactful sessions were those that helped me identify and work on my attitude, self-esteem, managing negative self-talk, and planning my goals and working towards it. ”
--- Upasana 4 PSEco
About the Centre
Role
The Centre aims at helping students to make proper adjustments in academic pursuit and improved quality of life. The counsellors motivate and support the students to regularly attend classes and to prepare for the exams systematically. Guidance and Counselling in our University is a professional activity based on certain well-accepted principles.
Objectives
To provide counselling and health services in an accessible and nurturing environment that recognizes the unique needs of the student community.
To accompany students in the various phases of their lives.
To support the students in their academic and social pressures
The Counselling Centre with fifteen counsellors, two Medical Officers and an experienced nurse interact with and render their support to the students to deal with their academic, social and personal challenges. Every batch of students has a student counsellor assigned to ensure their academic and personal well- being. Students have free access to the dedicated counsellors at any time while in the University, to overcome their personal and psychological stress in learning and other related areas.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTRE FOR COUNSELLING AND HEALTH SERVICES
Induction Counselling Parent Meeting
Psycho Education Sessions Capacity Building Programmes
Peer Education Outreach Programmes
Personal Counselling Minor Research Projects
Academic Counselling Interactive Workshops
Attendance Monitoring Health Services
Awareness Programmes
PSYCHO-EDUCATION SESSIONS
Self-Awareness Reproductive Health
Self – Esteem Personal Safety
Dealing with Emotions Substance Abuse
Anger Management Addictions
Body Image Managing Relationships
Induction Counselling:
During induction counselling, the counsellors introduce the new students to the system by briefing them about the assessment pattern, dress code and discipline, importance of attendance, information regarding various centres and activities. This is also an interactive process through which new students and their parents/ guardians are oriented to the campus culture and academic practices followed at the University.
Personal Counselling:
Counselling is offered in an unconditional, non-judgemental and confidential manner to students walking in, seeking help with Personal & Academic difficulties. The counselling process involves both voluntary approach by the students and summoning of the students by the counsellor. Regular student-counsellor interactions enable inclusiveness to the student life at the CHRIST (Deemed to be University). The Counselling Centre facilitates the development of remedial systems for students whose inadequate motivational factors have kept them away from achieving their potential. Students can approach the counsellors for solace with any problems.
Academic Counselling:
The counselling team collaborates with the academic departments to identify slow learners and less motivated students and to arrange remedial tutorials and peer- learning. After the announcement of the semester results, counsellors meet students who have not performed well in their End Semester Examinations. This is to assess their study habits and areas of difficulty and to help them overcome these issues efficiently. They are also encouraged to practice effective time management and assimilate better study skills. Counsellors also regularly monitor their attendance. Abstinence from classes, which is seen as unhealthy, is attended to promptly by the counsellors and the students are encouraged to participate with more academic rigour.
Academics
Programmes Offered
Peer Education
Programmes Outcomes
The uniqueness of this programme is that the peer educators themselves are empowered to handle their lives better and make appropriate choices and decisions for themselves. They serve as role models to their peers. It helps them increase their knowledge and have a clear understanding on the topics covered. Further it enhances their interpersonal relationships, communication skills and most all the confidence to interact with a cross-section of people. The students who attend the Peer Education classes find the topics relevant and effective. It also helps them develop a positive attitude and have clarity on the topics covered.
Programmes Eligibility
Two batches of peer educators are trained every year in order to reach out to the youth more effectively. The course which is conducted as an optional elective course, carries 2 credits and is offered to Second year undergraduate students. They enrol to the course by filling in an application form which includes a statement of purpose. Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview to assess their motivation, leadership qualities & commitment to the course.
Syllabus
The open elective will run for a period of 30 hours in the odd semester and is open for only 3rd semester students across all campuses
The syllabus will cover the following topics:
Self –Awareness (look at what it is and why it is needed)
Self – Esteem (definition, types and how to have a healthy level)
Self – Worth, Self-Respect (how to foster it in oneself)
Goals, Values and Beliefs (how to identify and achieve)
Relationships (with one self and others)
Boundaries (Setting and Maintaining)
Assertive Communication
Resolving Conflicts
Sexuality (Gender and Orientation)
Personal safety (Online/socialising/in public spaces/intimate relationships/with family and friends)
OTHER INITIATIVES
Psycho Educative Sessions:
The Centre conducts three to five interactive sessions for all the first year Undergraduate Students in order to equip them to handle this new phase of their lives. Relevant issues of youth like managing time, relationships, self-esteem, body image and awareness on reproductive health, addictions, HIV –AIDS are addressed.
Interactive Sessions & Awareness Programmes:
Is an effort to improve the psycho- social competence of students, programmes are organized on topics like personal safety, addictions, anger management, managing emotions, fostering relationships etc. These sessions provide an open platform for students to share their opinions and experiences with regard to a variety of issues, which influence their health and well-being. The goal of these sessions is to equip them with better skills for adaptive and positive behaviour. The Centre also creates awareness on substance abuse and its ill effects twice a semester by inviting medical professionals to have frank and open discussions with the youth and keep them away from such addictive behaviour.
The Centre also conducts awareness sessions on issues of topical interest like Stress Management during examinations, awareness on seasonal illnesses like Dengue and flu.
Parent Meetings:
The Department in collaboration with IQAC conducts two meetings a year with a comprehensive representation of parent members, the management, faculty representatives and the counsellors in order to review the activities of the University and discuss the concerns of major importance. Prospective plans are also shared in the meetings.
Services for International Students:
The team at the Centre for Counselling and Health Services attempts to provide a warm and congenial atmosphere for its foreign students, especially when they are home sick and have language difficulty. Along with the International office CCHS orient them to the institutional and academic policies. Counsellors also reach out to them by participating in their fellowship gatherings so that they feel comfortable to approach the counsellors in times of need. The Counsellors work individually with these students to ensure that they understand assessment patterns, teaching methodologies and the expected code of conduct on campus. The Counsellors also guide them in local etiquette and give them pointers that would help them outside campus, so they are not taken advantage of.
Services for Students with Special Needs:
The team at the CCHS helps the management identify students from economically weak backgrounds in order to provide services like free accommodation, scholarships or concessions in fees.
Differently-abled children receive individual support from the Counsellors, starting from the time of admission and extending through their course. The counsellors work with the Examination Office to obtain for these students, privileges during exams like language exemptions, extra time, scribes, exclusive and easily accessible exam halls etc.
Out- reach Programmes:
As a part of social responsibility, the Centre has initiated outreach programmes during the academic year. An old age home and an orphanage are periodically visited by the counsellors. At the orphanage the children are given training in life skills through games and activities. Support is also offered to them in academics through periodical visits where they are given tutorials in Mathematics and English. In the old age home, counsellors spend time with the senior citizens by offering personal counselling engaging them in music and various games and craft activities.
Testimonials
" I developed confidence, a sense of self-worth, spontaneity and happiness after my sessions with my mentors. I’d rightly say that this course was the turning point in my life. From an average student to a strong person with clear goals and principles, I owe it all to my mentors and my friends at Peer education. The course helped me to realize that everything we seek is within us and to accept and approve of my true self. . We, peer trainers, have the confidence and desire to train and inspire others. As a result of the training I’ve experienced exponential growth in my life. "
---- Kevin J Antony 4BCZ
“ It has been extremely helpful to have mentors to guide you into being more aware of what and why we feel, think, behave and cope the way we do. have.I'm extremely glad and grateful I opted for this course and I wouldn't have it any other way. ”
---- Namrata Warrier, 4PEP
“ During the pandemic Peer Education really made a difference because the quarantine could feel very isolating.But working on oneself and talking to other peers/ friends made things relatable and less isolating. ”
---- Renibi Mukhia 2PSENG.
“ The pandemic and the lockdown have been torturing for many while a boon for some. I somehow found myself in middle ground back in June. Though I did miss the college and interactions with friends, I looked at this quarantine as an opportunity to heal my “flaws” and evolve into a better individual.. ”
---- Dheeraj Adari 4 CBZ
“ My way of looking into life changed with the progress of the course. Every session was unique in its own way, be it self – awareness, life values or goals, negative self – talk or even healthy boundaries, every session was so fun and interactive. ”
---- Mohammed. Zaid 4 BCB
“ The Peer Education program came at the very right time for me, a time where I was confused about a lot of things in my life and my inner thoughts were not helping me. This program taught me the ways to take charge of them. ”
---- Garimella Bhavna 4PSENG