UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: COUNSELING SUPPORT

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DESERVE BETTER PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP

As per WHO and UNICEF reports (Innocenti Research Brief 2017-12) mental disoders of the youth are closely associated with health-risk behaviors including self-harm and suicidal behavior. In many cases they manifest as academic failure or threat of dismissal from college. In most countries the percentages of adolescents experiencing two or more psychological symptoms more than once a week is on the rise. In some countries like Italy and Bulgaria it is as high as 37% of the students. Therefore we should conclude that mental health problems on campus are more common than what we usually imagine.


In course of my 27 years practice in the UAE, I have had the opportunity to help hundreds of "distresed" college students studying in the UAE as well as in the Western countries. Having served for 15 years as in the visiting psychologist at Middlesex University, Dubai, my observation is that mental health issues and adaptiational stress are on the increase on Middle East campuses as well.

Cases like the following should alert parents and help them take right preventive / remedial measures before it is too late.

Kishore ( nor real name) is a drop out from University of Surrey Law School (UK). He studied tgere for two years. But due to psychological issues, he had to leave the program half way. This was a traumatic experience for Kishore. Kishore's mother thought of taking psychological help only when she came to know of his dismissal from the UK university. She lost huge amounts in fees and expenses for his 2 years study in UK.

I did a deataike analysis of Kishore's mental health status and his background history. From his school days Kishore had difficulties in academics. He was failing in some subjects, but doing extremely well in some others. He used to be very nervous during exams and he had low attention span. The mother took some psychological help in his school days, but had no clarity about his problem.

Kishore's parents got divorced a few years ago, and the mother was looking after Kishore in UAE while his father lived in Delhi. The mother was working hard to pay for Kishores college expenses in UK.

Before initiating counselling sessions I tested Kishore's I Q. Kishore and his mother were surprised to learn that his IQ was very high. His score was at the 95th percentile. That meant he was "intellectually superior". But on detailed analysis several psychological issues were identified. His self esteem was very low and he used to get into a panic state during exam seasons. On the basis of clear diagnosis we initiated a 6 week treatment program.

Psychotherapy and counselling helped Kishore regain his confidence. He was recommended for admission to the 2nd year (Law School) in a reputed British university in Dubai. He got his credit transferred from University of Surrey to Dubai. Now Kisore is happy and well motivated. He is being given psychological help and guidance. He is now one of the high performers in his class, and he is aiming for top ranks in his academics. Thus we could prevent another brilliant young man from becoming a helpless college dropout.

As parents we need to act wisely, act in time. Do not ignore teenagers' psychological problems and academic difficulties saying that "they all have it", or "nothing can be done". We can do something if we will. Accurate diagnosis and timely professional help can save us money and much more. We need to help them get the right psychological help before it is too late.
Dr George Kaliaden.
ONLINE ASSESSMENT / COUNSELING
via ZOOM www.psychologist.ae

Posted by Dr. George J Kaliaden | Posted on 06 Oct 2021 | 0 Comments | 1861 views | 0 Like