Commission on University Coexistence and Mental Health
Mental health fairs, seminars, talks, workshops, photographic and documentary exhibitions, and even a music festival, are some of the initiatives that the CRUCH universities will carry out during October.
The CRUCH University Coexistence and Mental Health Commission organized the seminar “Good Student Practices for the Promotion and Prevention of Mental Health and Coexistence in the CRUCH University Community”, an event that highlighted the work of students towards healthy coexistence and mental health care and that brought together more than 200 people.
Today, Tuesday, October 10, is World Mental Health Day, a global initiative that seeks to raise awareness and mobilize the world's population on mental health issues, as well as advocate for the promotion of environments that foster psychological well-being. The date was established in 1992 and was promoted by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO).
In Chile, the mental health of Chileans has become a national concern, particularly that of young people, who are a central part of university communities. According to data from Tenth National Youth Survey 2022 of the National Youth Institute, More young people (57.9%) than adults (39%) reported feeling depression, irritability, or hopelessness at least once during the past two weeks. The same was true for those who reported thinking it would be better to be dead or to harm themselves in some way (22.4% in young people vs. 9.5% in adults).
In this context, throughout the month of October, both the University Coexistence and Mental Health Commission of the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) and the 30 universities will develop various activities.
The commission
The CRUCH University Mental Health Coexistence Commission was created in July 2022, in response to the concern of university presidents about the increase in students with mental health support needs and the deterioration of coexistence that was evident in universities after the pandemic.
The commission, whose objective is to diagnose the current university context and propose strategies to effectively address various problems and suggest courses of action that promote student well-being, is composed of experts from CRUCH universities and is chaired by Rosa María Olave, Director of the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Program at Alberto Hurtado University, along with Bertha Escobar, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Catholic University of Temuco. In addition, three members of the plenary session are supporting the commission: Rosa Devés, Rector of the University of Chile (UChile); Elisa Araya, Rector of the Metropolitan University of Educational Sciences (UMCE); and Ignacio Sánchez, Rector of the Catholic University (PUC).
CRUCH Activities
Regarding initiatives within the framework of World Mental Health Day, last Wednesday, October 4, the University Coexistence and Mental Health Commission organized the Seminar “Good Student Practices for the Promotion and Prevention of Mental Health and Coexistence in the CRUCH University Community”, an event that highlighted the work of students towards healthy coexistence and mental health care (See note).
In total, 15 initiatives were presented by student and alumni groups from 11 CRUCH universities, selected from an open call to all 30 institutions of the Council. Among the topics highlighted were: 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; therapy through agroecology; among others.Watch videos).
Meanwhile, the Commission's first in-person plenary session will be held on October 23, during which the foundational elements for the 2024 Work Plan will be agreed upon, along with the organization of a summer school themed "Nurturing Coexistence and Mental Health." This event will take place in January 2024 and will be aimed at the CRUCH university communities. Details of the call for participation will be announced in November.
First Seminar on University Coexistence
Another important activity this month is the “First Seminar on University Coexistence: Mental Health, Gender and Community”, which will take place on October 11, 12 and 13 (See note) will have a community, inclusive and non-sexist approach, and is organized by the Alberto Hurtado University (UAH), the University of Chile (UChile), the Diego Portales University (UDP) and the Metropolitan Technological University (UTEM).
This event, sponsored by CRUCH, will address various theoretical elements, share institutional best practices, and discuss policies and intervention experiences, so that through dialogue between different communities, coexistence can be improved.
It is worth noting that the seminar will cover four thematic areas: unrest in university life – Whose responsibility is it?; the scope and limitations of punitivism in addressing university life; social coexistence, participation, and community; and mental health and university life. Each area will be explored through talks and panels presented by both national and international speakers.
Learn about the program and register HERE
Other university activities
University of Magallanes (UMAG)
Mental Health Fair “UMAG cares for your mental health”
10/10/2023 – AM: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PM: 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Talk: “Strategies for Mental Health Care”
October 10, 2023 – 09:40 hrs.
Talk: Psychological First Aid
October 11, 2023 – 10:00 a.m.
Talk: “Self-care and University Life”
11/Oct/2023 - 08.00 hrs.
Talk: “Practical Methods for Managing Stress”
12/Oct/2023 - 10:00 hrs.
Registration Link:
https://forms.gle/mkmNYKSRpR3WUe516
University of O'Higgins (UOH)
Throughout the week of October 10-13
Stand, Photo Exhibition, Different talks and workshops, Mental Health Fair (initiatives and academic work of students are exhibited), post-documentary conservatory and the "Music for Wellbeing" Festival with which the week closes.
University of Antofagasta (UA)
Throughout the week of October 10-13.
Catholic University of the North (UCN)
Healthy Fair
Thursday, October 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. DGE Health Area
Training for "Community Facilitators in Suicide Prevention"«
Thursday, October 19 and 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. DGE Health Area
Brief interventions between class blocks.
Starting Tuesday, October 10th – DGE
Live "Attachment, Gender and Mental Health"«
08/11 – Gender Directorate
Text: CRUCH Communications
Image: paho.org
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