Estudiantes y egresados/as de universidades del CRUCH presentaron iniciativas en salud mental y convivencia - Consejo de Rectoras y Rectores de las Universidades Chilenas

Commission on University Coexistence and Mental Health

Suicide prevention; support and guidance for first-year students; inclusion of diverse and neurodivergent individuals; holistic health care; valuing leisure and play in building community and well-being; inclusion of migrant students; and therapy through agroecology are some of the topics addressed by the initiatives presented this Wednesday at the seminar “Good Student Practices for the Promotion and Prevention of Mental Health and Coexistence in the CRUCH University Community”.

The event, which is part of the commemoration of World Mental Health Day, which takes place on October 10, had a high participation of the CRUCH university communities and people linked to Higher Education, and highlighted the work of the students towards a healthy coexistence and care of mental health.

With over 250 participants, including students, alumni, professionals, academic and student welfare program coordinators, faculty, and others involved in higher education, the first seminar on “Good Student Practices for Promoting and Preventing Mental Health and Coexistence in the CRUCH University Community” was held virtually on Wednesday, October 4. This initiative is part of the commemoration of World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated on October 10.

At the event, organized by academics from the University Coexistence and Mental Health Commission of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH), 15 initiatives from student and alumni groups were presented, which were previously chosen from an open call to the 30 institutions that make up the Council (See note).

“When one gets the impression that everything is in crisis and everything is dark, knowing that students are active, proactive, demanding but constructive, seems to us to be a very good way to solve problems that affect the entire community (…) and it's wonderful that you are taking action. For both the rectors and the female rectors, what you contribute is important in university life and experience, in the integral formation of individuals,” highlighted Elisa Araya, Rector of the Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences (UMCE), who, along with the rector of the University of Chile (UChile) and the rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC), supports the CRUCH Commission on University Coexistence and Mental Health.

For his part, Andrés Salinas, National Spokesperson for the Confederation of Students of Chile (CONFECh), praised the seminar and the students' active participation. “It is important to listen to different voices when discussing mental health, not only from a psychological, psychiatric, or hegemonic academic perspective, but within a broader paradigm. That is why I greatly appreciate having students from other regions here, bringing such diverse and significant initiatives. This is a very good first step and a very positive opening,” said Salinas, who is also the General Secretary of the Federation of Students of Diego Portales University (FEDEP).

The initiatives presented, which come from 11 CRUCH universities across different regions of Chile, are mostly self-managed; some have institutional support, and others are part of programs run by the Mental Health or Student Affairs Offices. They all share the common characteristic of having been created between 2018 and 2022 and involving student participation.

Among its topics are the following: suicide prevention; support and guidance for early-year students; inclusion of diversities and neurodivergences; holistic health care; valuing leisure and play in building community and well-being; inclusion of migrant students; therapy through agroecology; initiatives that incorporate variables such as identity, conversation and the body.

For the Secretary General of CRUCH, Angélica Bosch, holding this seminar is an important part of the role of the Commission, which seeks to identify best practices, promote prevention and awareness in mental health, as well as develop strategies to improve coexistence in universities.

“Today, with this seminar, we are taking a step forward in building a healthier and more enriching university environment. We are recognizing and valuing the fundamental role that students play in this process. You, as future leaders and engaged citizens, are the cornerstone of this change,” said Angélica Bosch.

Sharing experiences

In the preparation of the videos and interviews, which will later be part of a seminar publication, around 45 students from 15 student project teams participated, each of which presented a video of approximately 3 minutes.

The initiatives were divided into three blocks, which were moderated by Irene Léniz, Director of Mental Health at the University of O'Higgins; Patricia Astroza, Coordinator of the Student Welfare Department at the University of La Serena; and Valeska Grau, student mediator from the UC Ombuds Office and academic at the School of Psychology of the same university.

In each block, after presenting their videos, the students discussed the reasons they had for creating them, the obstacles and support in the process and why they believe they have been able to maintain them, highlighting the students' interest in helping others and participating in the instances created by their peers.

Rosa María Olave, one of the presidents of the CRUCH Commission and Director of the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Program at Alberto Hurtado University, stated that “mental health goes hand in hand with university life, and what we need is to build spaces that are more conducive to dialogue and greater mutual care. Those who feel more cared for will also be better able to study, to experience that sense of well-being, and to develop as individuals and as a community.”.

The importance of the role of students

As part of the seminar program, a survey was conducted among the attendees, in which they were asked to write three words that summarized the contribution of students to university life and mental health, highlighting the following concepts: empathy, solidarity, community, camaraderie, participation, support, commitment, accompaniment, respect, among others.

“I thank those who shared their work today, for putting their individual and collective talents at the service of the student community. I believe this generation has redefined the value we must place on well-being when we talk about mental health (…) the well-being I can feel when I am aware of my abilities, when I can connect with others, when I feel valued, integrated into the community to which I belong, when I believe I live in nurturing environments. Providing these environments is a shared responsibility,” stated Bertha Escobar, also president of the CRUCH Commission and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Catholic University of Temuco.

Finally, Angélica Bosch, on behalf of CRUCH, stated that “we hope that the stories and experiences shared here will inspire other students and our institutions to continue developing initiatives. We firmly believe that every action, however small it may seem, can make a significant difference in the lives of our students and in the culture of our universities.”.

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Mental Health Week (UDP):

Students and graduates from CRUCH universities presented initiatives on mental health and coexistence

Commission on University Coexistence and Mental Health

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