SDG - 3
Daffodil International University (DIU) demonstrates a comprehensive and proactive commitment to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of its students. This support is institutionalized through dedicated on-campus clinical staff, integrated psychological services, and university-wide educational programs that foster resilience and coping skills.
1. Dedicated On-Campus Professional Mental Health Support
DIU ensures students have direct access to continuous and confidential professional psychological care through its centralized Medical Center infrastructure.
● Dedicated Staffing: The Medical Center staff includes 02 full-time psychologists who provide crucial, accessible mental health support directly on campus. This dedicated resource ensures that students can access professional counseling without barriers.
● Psychological Counseling Services: The core provision of mental health support is managed by the Psychological Service Unit, operating under the Office of the Director of Students' Affairs. This unit offers individual counseling sessions to help students manage academic stress, personal difficulties, and mental health challenges in a safe and supportive environment.
● Integrated Care Model: The Psychological Service Unit works in close collaboration with the on-campus MBBS doctors and nurses within the Medical Center. This integration ensures that mental health support is seamlessly linked with physical health care, recognizing the holistic nature of well-being, as required by SDG 3.
2. Proactive Mental Health Literacy and Skills Workshops
Beyond reactive counseling, DIU runs frequent, targeted workshops and awareness campaigns to proactively equip students with essential life skills for emotional regulation and resilience.
● Skills-Based Training: The Psychological Service Unit regularly organizes workshops designed to address common student challenges:
o "Stress Management": Sessions help students from various departments explore practical strategies for coping with academic stress and building resilience to navigate their university lives effectively.
o "Anger Management": Workshops focus on enhancing self-awareness, emotional regulation, and providing practical strategies for managing anger effectively, thereby promoting the mental well-being of students and equipping them with essential life skills.
● Academic and Mental Focus: Seminars like "Know Your Brain: Be Focused and Achieve the Best Out of Your Study" (featuring an international chief guest) promote mental well-being alongside academic success, offering valuable knowledge on how to enhance focus and performance.
● Leadership and Resilience: The DIU HR Club organized sessions like "Fit to Lead," which focused on building physical and mental resilience for effective leadership, integrating yoga and other practices to promote holistic well-being among future leaders.
3. Fostering a Supportive and Empowering Environment
DIU extends its commitment to mental health beyond the enrolled students by training faculty and reaching out to the broader community.
● Training External Educators: DIU psychologists facilitate mental health awareness sessions at Daffodil Polytechnic Institute for both students and teachers, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and managing mental health challenges. They also train teachers of the Art of Living course to recognize students who may be struggling emotionally or psychologically and guide them with care and empathy, creating a more supportive learning ecosystem.
● Public Awareness Campaigns: DIU shares public service messages about mental health, highlighting that depression affects all ages and emphasizing that talking is the first step towards recovery. These public awareness campaigns encourage individuals to seek support, reinforcing the critical message of SDG 3.
