3.3.5 Mental health support for students

The Student Affairs Division serves as the central unit responsible for promoting and supporting the mental well-being of students at Srinakharinwirot University (SWU). The Division plays a vital role in providing mental health care, developing preventive and supportive measures, and fostering a compassionate campus environment that prioritizes students’ emotional resilience and well-being.

To strengthen the mental health ecosystem, the Division has established collaborative networks with internal university faculties and departments, as well as external mental health organizations and professionals. Through these partnerships, students are provided with access to counseling services, crisis intervention, and awareness-raising activities that encourage early detection and self-management of mental health issues.

In 2024, the university implemented a variety of programs focused on preventing and addressing mental health challenges among students. These initiatives included workshops on stress management, peer support training, well-being campaigns, and mental health check-up activities. Each program aimed to build a supportive and stigma-free environment that encourages students to seek help when needed and to promote mental health literacy across the university community.

1. Peer Support Network Program: “Friend Helps Friend” (Academic Year 2024)

Date: August 17, 2024

Time: 08:30 AM–6:30 PM

Venue: Second Floor, Student Activities Building, Ongkharak Campus

The “Friend Helps Friend” Peer Support Network Program aims to strengthen relationships among peer supporters across different cohorts, fostering a supportive and empathetic community for mental health promotion at Srinakharinwirot University (SWU).

The program provides a platform for senior and junior peer supporters to exchange experiences, share counseling techniques, and collaboratively explore strategies for assisting fellow students in need. Through interactive group activities and workshops, participants learn how to offer emotional support, promote mental well-being, and design mental health promotion initiatives suitable for the university context.

Activities included

• Relationship-building exercises to enhance communication and trust among peer supporters.

• Group discussions and experience sharing about effective methods of student counseling and early mental health support.

• Creative well-being workshops, such as DIY handmade crafts, aimed at reducing stress and fostering a sense of relaxation and mindfulness.

Impact/Relevance to SDG 3.3.5 (Mental Health Support for Students)

• Builds a sustainable peer support network that promotes early detection and informal mental health assistance among students.

• Enhances students’ ability to provide empathetic listening, peer counseling, and referral support.

• Encourages collaborative action between students, staff, and mental health professionals to strengthen the university’s support system.

2. Peer Support Program: Workshop on “Basic Counseling Skills and Self-Mental Care” 

Date: September 7, 2024

Time: 08:30 AM–6:30 PM

Venue: Second Floor, Student Activities Building, Ongkharak Campus

Participants: 80 students (100% of the target group).

The Peer Support Program: “Basic Counseling Skills and Self-Mental Care” Workshop was organized by the Division of Student Affairs, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU), as part of the university’s initiative to promote mental well-being and strengthen peer-to-peer mental health support among students.

The main objectives of the workshop were:

• To enhance students’ understanding and skills in basic counseling techniques for supporting peers experiencing mental health challenges.

• To equip participants with practical knowledge to provide empathic listening, emotional first aid, and appropriate referral when peers face mental distress.

• To promote self-care practices and emotional resilience among peer supporters themselves.

The one-day workshop featured a combination of lectures, hands-on training sessions, experience-sharing discussions, and creative relaxation activities such as DIY handmade crafts for stress relief and mindfulness.

Impact/Relevance to SDG 3.3.5 (Mental Health Support for Students)

• Strengthened the capacity of 80 student peer supporters to identify and respond effectively to mental health issues within the student community.

• Fostered a culture of mutual care and emotional awareness, encouraging early intervention and destigmatization of mental health issues.

• Promoted a more resilient, inclusive, and supportive university environment aligned with SWU’s mental health promotion framework.

3. Peer Support Program: Student Peer Supporters Capacity Development Camp 

Date: November 13–15, 2024

Venue: Prima Hotel Pattaya and Art in Paradise, Chonburi Province

Participants: 81 students (exceeding the target of 80)

The “Peer Supporters Capacity Development Camp” was organized by the Division of Student Affairs, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) as part of the ongoing Peer Support Program. This initiative aims to enhance the ability of student peer supporters to promote mental well-being, provide emotional support, and strengthen the mental health care network across the university.

The camp focused on three dimensions of personal development—knowledge, abilities, and inner potential—to help participants better understand themselves and connect their personal growth with their surroundings. Through interactive learning, the program encouraged self-reflection, teamwork, and empathetic communication.

The main objectives of the workshop were:

• To enhance peer supporters’ competencies in providing emotional and psychological assistance to fellow students.

• To develop personal growth, leadership, and awareness of one’s own emotional well-being.

• To create a collaborative platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and best practices in student mental health promotion.

• To strengthen interpersonal relationships and build a supportive peer network within the university.

The camp included group learning sessions, experiential workshops, and health promotion activities designed to foster mindfulness, empathy, and resilience among student participants.

Impact/Relevance to SDG 3.3.5 (Mental Health Support for Students)

• Enhanced the mental health support network by training 81 student peer supporters to act as first-line mental health allies within the SWU community.

• Promoted holistic student development by integrating emotional intelligence, mental wellness, and community engagement.

• Strengthened the culture of mental health awareness and reduced stigma related to seeking psychological support.

• Encouraged the development of sustainable peer support initiatives, ensuring early detection and timely assistance for students experiencing mental distress.

4. Comprehensive Mental Health Counseling and Support Services for Students (Division of Student Affairs, Srinakharinwirot University)

In addition to year-round mental health promotion programs, the Division of Student Affairs at Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) provides professional counseling services through the SWU SMILE Counseling Room, managed by the Guidance and Counseling Section.

The service is available at two main campuses:

• Asoke Campus: SWU SMILE Counseling Room, 1st Floor, Office of the President Building, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Ongkharak Campus: SWU SMILE Counseling Room, 1st Floor, Student Activities Building, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Each location has an on-site licensed counseling psychologist who provides mental health assessments, psychological testing, and screening services to identify students in need of additional psychological support.

To increase accessibility, the university also offers:

• Telephone counseling services

• Online counseling via Google Meet

• 24-hour online counseling via the “Ooca” application, a free tele-counseling service available to all SWU students.

These initiatives provide students with convenient, private, and immediate access to mental health care, helping them express emotions, seek coping strategies, and manage personal or academic stress effectively.

Counseling, networking, and capacity building

The Division of Student Affairs also established the University Counseling Network Committee, consisting of trained faculty members, staff, residence officers, and student volunteers from various faculties and colleges. The committee is responsible for:

• Planning and coordinating student counseling services.

• Building a sustainable mental health support network across the university.

• Organizing training workshops and professional development programs for advisors and staff.

Key development programs include:

• Psychological Counseling Training for Advisors and University Staff – Enhancing counseling knowledge and empathetic communication skills for academic advisors.

• Peer Support Program – Training student volunteers to provide peer-to-peer emotional and mental health support.

Following these training sessions, the division organized a Counseling Network Seminar, providing a platform for counselors, faculty members, and student peer supporters to exchange best practices and develop specialized counseling skills. Participants shared real-life experiences and strategies to improve the effectiveness of mental health support services across the university. Additionally, the university organizes mental wellness promotion activities throughout the academic year to assist students in reducing stress, enhancing resilience, and balancing their academic and personal lives.

Impact and Relevance to SDG 3.3.5 (Mental Health Support for Students)

• Expanded access to mental health care through multiple on-campus and online platforms, ensuring inclusivity and confidentiality.

• Built a sustainable university-wide mental health network involving faculty, staff, and students.

• Increased awareness and literacy regarding psychological well-being and early intervention.

• Trained peer supporters and faculty counselors as first responders in mental health crises.

• Enhanced student quality of life, promoting academic success and emotional resilience.

Statistics of Students Receiving Counseling Services at SWU SMILE