What services does the UCC provide?

1. Counseling services (Individual or group counseling)
It is well known that stress associated with a highly demanding academic life at a critical developmental period sometimes results in complications. These issues can be abated through professional psychological counseling.
The UCC offers a free-of-charge guidance space wherein students can talk with a certified professional about their personal issues and their private or social lives in a confidential setting.

The UCC psychologist focuses mainly on helping students through personal transitions and adjustments associated with university life.

Counseling can help students understand and manage many issues pertaining to:

• stress
• eating disorders
• sleep disorders
• depression and anxiety
• addiction
• relational and emotional problems
• behavioral disorders
• cognitive difficulties related to studies and academic requirements
• feeling of loneliness
• communication problems
• conflicts with parents and peers
• former and current traumatic events
• difficulties related to self-esteem and assertiveness
• suicide thoughts
• strategies to target risk behaviors and improve the students’ overall mental health and wellbeing

2. Case management and referrals
Students may seek free-of-charge confidential assessment and counseling. However, cases of severe psychological disturbances will be referred to psychiatric treatment or psychotherapy outside campus.

3. Crises intervention and suicide prevention
The UCC does not provide individual counseling for students who are currently under therapy elsewhere, except for crisis interventions if needed.

4. Prevention and awareness-raising programs
The psychologist reviews situations or events that constitute a risk for the students’ mental health and suggests possible solutions.
S/he demystifies mental health issues, especially for students and teachers.
S/he also develops, implements, animates or evaluates programs whose objectives include:

• prevention of violence and bullying
• conflict resolution
• promoting practices that encourage social inclusion and a sense of belonging
• the development of healthy lifestyle habits
• the prevention of addictions (alcohol and drug abuse, smoking, etc.)
• intervention or postvention following a critical event (such as a student’s suicide)

Preventive interventions are thus based on the existence of a specific supervisory structure aimed at informing and educating, among other things.

The psychologist can organize group meetings for students or university staff. S/he will propose and facilitate training or information activities for students on various themes or activities to foster the development of new skills. Topics can be as diverse as sexuality (sexual orientation, abuse...), violence (intimidation in relationships...), suicide, bereavement, emotional loss, mental health in general, etc.
These activities cover a broad range of applications and target the entire student population.

Who can benefit from the UCC’s services?
Current undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students.

Where is the UCC located?
Kaslik Campus, Bloc E, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Office E001A.