{"id":141222,"date":"2025-11-08T11:23:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T11:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.paluniv.edu.ps\/eng\/?page_id=141222"},"modified":"2026-11-03T12:21:10","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T12:21:10","slug":"student-mental-health-support-2_3-3-5","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.paluniv.edu.ps\/eng\/student-mental-health-support-2_3-3-5\/","title":{"rendered":"3.3.5 Student Mental Health Support"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Providing accessible and free mental health support services, counseling, and awareness programs to promote students’ psychological well-being and resilience.<\/strong><\/p>

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Introduction<\/h3>\r\n

Palestine Ahliya University (PAU) recognizes mental health as an essential component of student well-being and academic success. The University is committed to providing accessible and free mental health support services through its specialized Department of Counseling and Mental Health, alongside preventive programs, awareness activities, and initiatives that promote psychological resilience and emotional well-being.<\/p>\r\n

Through individual and group counseling, psychological support activities, workshops, and educational programs, the University helps students address personal, social, psychological, and academic challenges. These efforts aim to create a supportive university environment where students feel comfortable seeking assistance, developing coping strategies, and maintaining their mental well-being.<\/p>\r\n

1. Department of Counseling and Mental Health<\/h3>\r\n

The Department of Counseling and Mental Health at Palestine Ahliya University provides specialized psychological and social support services to students, helping them adapt to university life and overcome various personal, emotional, social, and academic challenges.<\/p>\r\n

The Department adopts preventive, developmental, and therapeutic approaches to address students’ needs and promote their psychological well-being.<\/p>\r\n

Its main services include:<\/p>\r\n

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    Individual psychological counseling and therapy.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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    Group psychological counseling and support.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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    Psychological and social awareness activities.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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    Early psychological intervention and preventive support.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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    Stress management and coping strategies.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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    Personal development and confidence-building activities.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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    Workshops and training courses.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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    Psychological support for students with disabilities.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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    Follow-up and referral of cases requiring specialized intervention.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    The Department provides a professional and supportive environment where students can discuss their concerns and receive appropriate guidance from qualified specialists while maintaining privacy and confidentiality.<\/p>\r\n

    2. Free and Confidential Mental Health Support<\/h3>\r\n

    PAU provides students with access to mental health counseling and psychological support services free of charge, ensuring that financial limitations do not prevent them from seeking assistance.<\/p>\r\n

    The University emphasizes confidentiality, respect, and individual care when addressing students’ psychological concerns. Each case is handled according to the student’s specific needs, with appropriate follow-up and referrals to specialized institutions whenever necessary.<\/p>\r\n

    These services aim to reduce barriers to seeking psychological support, encourage early intervention, and ensure that students have access to professional assistance throughout their university experience.<\/p>\r\n

    3. Mental Health Awareness and Preventive Programs<\/h3>\r\n

    In addition to individual counseling services, PAU actively promotes good mental health through awareness campaigns, educational activities, and preventive initiatives organized by the Department of Counseling and Mental Health and the Deanship of Student Affairs.<\/p>\r\n

    These initiatives address topics such as:<\/p>\r\n

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      Understanding mental health and emotional well-being.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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      Managing psychological stress and academic pressure.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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      Developing healthy coping mechanisms.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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      Building self-confidence and personal resilience.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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      Promoting positive social relationships.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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      Encouraging self-care and early help-seeking behavior.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Through these activities, the University seeks to establish a culture in which mental health is recognized as an essential part of student development and academic achievement.<\/p>\r\n

      4. Student Self-Care Awareness Initiative \u2013 2025<\/h3>\r\n

      In November 2025, the Deanship of Student Affairs organized an interactive student activity entitled:<\/p>\r\n

      “Self-Care \u2013 Taking Care of Yourself… The Key to Your Academic Success.”<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

      The initiative aimed to enhance students’ awareness of the importance of mental health and encourage them to adopt safe and positive self-care practices.<\/p>\r\n

      Through interactive activities and student engagement, the initiative highlighted the relationship between psychological well-being, personal development, and academic success.<\/p>\r\n

      It also encouraged students to recognize their psychological needs, manage everyday pressures, and adopt healthy habits that support their emotional and academic well-being.<\/p>\r\n

      5. Psychological Relief Tent and Student Well-being Initiatives<\/h3>\r\n

      As part of its ongoing Mental and Reproductive Health Program, implemented in partnership with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), PAU inaugurated the Psychological Relief Tent on campus.<\/p>\r\n

      The initiative created an interactive and supportive space where students could express their concerns, discuss their psychological and social needs, and participate in activities promoting emotional well-being.<\/p>\r\n

      The activities included:<\/p>\r\n

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        Student-led discussions about mental and emotional well-being.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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        Interactive educational activities and awareness sessions.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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        Expressive drawing and recreational activities.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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        Table tennis, chess, and other social activities.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

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        Opportunities for students to suggest and participate in developing initiatives that address their needs.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        The initiative reflects the University’s commitment to adopting a holistic approach to student mental health by combining psychological awareness, social interaction, recreational activities, and student participation.<\/p>\r\n

        6. Mental Health Awareness and Psychological Support in University Activities \u2013 2026<\/h3>\r\n

        In October 2026, during the University’s Pink October awareness activities, a specialized discussion addressed the psychological and social dimensions of health.<\/p>\r\n

        Ms. Ameera Danoun, the social psychologist at the Deanship of Student Affairs, highlighted the importance of psychological support in helping individuals cope with health challenges and strengthening their ability to manage emotional and social difficulties.<\/p>\r\n

        The activities also included interactive student-led awareness stations, providing opportunities to promote understanding of the relationship between physical health, psychological well-being, and healthy lifestyles.<\/p>\r\n

        This initiative reflects PAU’s continued efforts to integrate mental health awareness into its broader health promotion activities.<\/p>\r\n

        7. Psychological First Aid and Emergency Mental Health Support<\/h3>\r\n

        PAU also promotes psychological preparedness through its Youth-Friendly Health Space (YFHS) Emergency Preparedness Program, which includes training in Psychological First Aid.<\/p>\r\n

        This training equips students with basic knowledge and practical skills to provide responsible initial psychological support to individuals experiencing distress or emergencies, while recognizing when professional intervention and referral are required.<\/p>\r\n

        By integrating psychological first aid into its emergency preparedness initiatives, the University reinforces the importance of mental health support during challenging situations and promotes a supportive and resilient university community.<\/p>\r\n

        Contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 3<\/h3>\r\n

        Through its specialized counseling services, free psychological support, preventive awareness programs, and student well-being initiatives, Palestine Ahliya University contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.<\/p>\r\n

        The University’s efforts focus on promoting mental health, reducing barriers to accessing psychological support, encouraging early intervention, strengthening emotional resilience, and creating a supportive academic environment.<\/p>\r\n

        By combining professional counseling, awareness activities, self-care initiatives, and student participation, PAU continues to prioritize the psychological well-being of its students as an essential component of their personal development, academic success, and overall quality of life.<\/p>\r\n

        [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_btn title=”PAU Pink October 2026″ color=”green” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paluniv.edu.ps%2Feng%2Fpalestine-ahliya-university-raises-breast-cancer-awareness-through-pink-october-activities%2F%3Futm_source%3Dchatgpt.com”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_btn title=”PAU News Letter ” color=”green” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paluniv.edu.ps%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fnvember-2025-newsletter-ar.pdf%3Futm_source%3Dchatgpt.com”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_btn title=”PAU Health Center ” color=”green” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paluniv.edu.ps%2Feng%2Fthe-youth-health-center%2F%3Futm_source%3Dchatgpt.com”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_btn title=”Department of Psychological and Social Counseling” color=”green” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paluniv.edu.ps%2Feng%2Fdepartment-of-psychological-and-social-counseling%2F%3Futm_source%3Dchatgpt.com”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Providing accessible and free mental health support services, counseling, and awareness programs to promote students’ psychological well-being and resilience.   [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Introduction Palestine Ahliya University (PAU) recognizes mental health as an essential component of student well-being and academic success. The University is committed to providing accessible and free mental health support services […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-141222","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.paluniv.edu.ps\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/141222","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.paluniv.edu.ps\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.paluniv.edu.ps\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.paluniv.edu.ps\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.paluniv.edu.ps\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141222"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.paluniv.edu.ps\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/141222\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":142897,"href":"https:\/\/www.paluniv.edu.ps\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/141222\/revisions\/142897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.paluniv.edu.ps\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}