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The initiatives were submitted through the call of the CRUCH University Coexistence and Mental Health Commission around two areas: the promotion and prevention of mental health, coexistence and well-being in university life; and the promotion of participation, diversity and inclusion, and university citizenship.
A total of 15 initiatives were received, which will be presented at the seminar on “Good Student Practices for the Promotion and Prevention of Mental Health and Coexistence in the CRUCH University Community”, which will be held online on October 4.
The University Coexistence and Mental Health Commission of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) announced the results of the call for “Good Student Practices for the Promotion and Prevention of Mental Health and Coexistence in the CRUCH University Community”, which ran from August 24 to September 5, focusing on two main areas: promotion and prevention of mental health, coexistence and well-being in university life; and the promotion of participation, diversity and inclusion, and university citizenship.
The call invited undergraduate students or graduates to present initiatives or good practices for the prevention and promotion of mental health and/or university coexistence, promoted in the last five years in their university communities.
The CRUCH commission's evaluation committee met on September 8 and reviewed the proposals for the two areas of focus. For the first area, the evaluators were Bertha Escobar (UCT), Irene Léniz (UOH), Patricia Astroza (Universidad de la Serena), Mónica Guzmán (UCN), and Carolina Zambrano (UACh); while for the second area, they were Rosa María Olave (Universidad Alberto Hurtado), Elena Cuadro (UDP), Paola Nuñez (UCSC), Valeska Grau (UC), and Manuel Cuevas (UTEM).
The 12 selected initiatives, plus three invited ones, will be revealed through a video presentation as part of the first edition of the Seminar on Good Student Practices for the Promotion and Prevention of Mental Health and Coexistence in the University Community, which will be held online on October 4 under the motto "Taking care of coexistence and mental health: Challenges and lessons learned from student initiatives.".
It should be noted that 15 proposals were received and, although the call for proposals stipulated a maximum of 12, due to the quality of the other three initiatives, the evaluation committee decided to grant them the status of invited.
The proposals correspond to students and graduates of the Catholic University of the Holy Conception (UCSC), Catholic University of the North (UCN), Catholic University of Temuco (UCT), University of Chile, Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences (UMCE), Austral University of Chile (UACh), Metropolitan Technological University (UTEM), University of O'Higgins (UOH), Diego Portales University (UDP), University of Valparaíso (UV) and the Pontifical Catholic University (UC).
Selected proposals
Mental Health Week (UDP): During university breaks, the program takes advantage of the opportunity to improve students' well-being and mental health by providing a space to talk and learn about mental health topics, and to connect with classmates from different majors and volunteer professors. See more on IG @mesadesaludmental_udp
Coffee Talk (UCT): It consists of a stand where tea, coffee, or Milo (chocolate) are given away, and each corresponds to a conversation group that helps foster student relationships: tea for talking about your troubles, coffee for discussing how you've been feeling in recent weeks, and Milo for talking about TV series. See more on IG @ayun.uct
Youth for Health Volunteering (UCN): A group of motivated students dedicated to supporting and promoting a more fulfilling, holistic, and healthy university life. Their core values are mental health, physical activity, and healthy eating, which are addressed throughout the academic year in various activities, such as promotional fairs, community outreach events, and health challenges. See more on IG @jps_ucn
Psychological First Aid Support Agents (University of Chile): Training sessions aimed at students seeking to disseminate and provide skills in Psychological First Aid so they can act as immediate responders in mental health situations, as well as provide support and guidance primarily to their peers and various stakeholders. See more on IG @manitosdeconfianza_fen
Connected (UV): This device (call center) aims to implement actions promoting socio-emotional well-being and strengthening support and containment, connecting students with the Student Affairs Office (DAE) units and services, as well as with various networks within the university. See more on IG @conectadosuv_dae
Counseling Program (UMCE): It is made up of upper-level students from all undergraduate programs. Its goal is to support the integration of incoming first-year students, encouraging their participation in university life and strengthening their retention at the institution. See more on IG @consejerias.umce
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Volunteering (UCN): A group of students from various majors who, based on their shared experiences and perspectives, create activities to promote mental health and well-being. These activities are driven by student ideas and supported by university psychologists. See more on IG @smps_ucn
Sentinels (UACh): A community of community facilitators created and led by university students, operating under the auspices of the University Health Center and the Chilean Alliance Against Depression. Its objective is to promote mental health, prevent adverse mental health conditions, and activate support networks for at-risk situations within the university population. See more on IG @centinelas_uach
Social Work Playroom (UTEM): A permanent recreation space at the university for students of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Communication Technologies that promotes socialization, connection, and coexistence. It is a space with a participatory, co-creative, organizational, and recreational approach to fostering social cohesion and respectful relationships through play. See more at https://www.instagram.com/p/CmXLB_9PZ0O/?img_index=1
Tutors in Suicide Prevention (UOH): Upper-level students, trained in suicide risk management (tutors), are contacted by phone. They have a pre-studied and rehearsed script and apply the Columbia Suicide Risk Severity Rating Scale (CSSR-S). Depending on the type of suicide risk, they provide suggestions, follow-up, and referrals. See more at https://www.uoh.cl/uoh-implementa-programa-de-prevencion-del-suicidio-y-muestra-sus-primeros-resultados/
“Peer Host” Program (UCT): The aim is to ease the transition to university life for first-year students through mentorship from upperclassmen. See more on IG @programaparesanfitriones
Playroom (UDP): A student organization that offers a safe space for daily interaction and leisure, where students from various majors meet in their free time. Through board games, diverse individuals forge connections and a sense of belonging and integration within the university community. See more on IG @ludoteca_udp
Invited proposals
UC Migration (UC): It aims to demystify and raise awareness about migration issues in Chile, fostering a safe space where migrant students can share their culture, seek help, and feel supported throughout their studies. See more on IG @migracion.uc
Symbiotic Syntinence (UCSC): It is founded on three fundamental pillars: education, health, and ecology. Its implementation is through horticulture and ecotherapy, to promote the mental health of the community (students, academics, workers, and neighbors) and the environment, through the regeneration of socio-ecological spaces. See more on IG @symbiotic.sintience
Reuniting (UDP): It originated from the Elemental Dance Collective, an organization led by university students from various generations and majors. Through dance classes, it fosters interaction and provides participants with opportunities for student interaction. See more on IG @elemental.udp
Text: CRUCH Communications
Photo: Catholic University of Temuco
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