Operations and Institutional Arrangement: Initiatives
SDG 3: Focus Areas
3.3.5 Mental health support for students
Enhancing Mental Health and Counseling at the University of Bahrain
Overview
The University of Bahrain actively promotes mental health and well-being through its Department of Guidance and Counseling. The department provides comprehensive psychological, social, and behavioral support services to students, helping them manage stress, enhance academic performance, and build emotional resilience. Through specialized counseling sessions, educational seminars, and awareness programs, the university fosters a supportive and inclusive campus environment that prioritizes students’ mental health.
Impact
Between 2023 and 2024, the university delivered 135 psychological consultations, four workshops on mental health skills, one group support program, and a Mental Health Day event. These initiatives strengthened preventive mental health care, raised awareness of psychological well-being, and aligned with SDG 3.3.5, which focuses on promoting mental health and reducing the impact of behavioral and psychosocial disorders.
Relevant SDG 3 Targets and Indicators:
Provides counseling services, mental health workshops, and the active promotion of well-being, supported jointly by the Health Care Center and the College of Health and Sport Sciences (CHS).
Mental Health and Well-Being Workshops at the University of Bahrain
Overview
The University of Bahrain, through the Deanship of Student Affairs and various colleges, organized a series of workshops focused on promoting students’ mental health, emotional resilience, and personal growth. These workshops addressed communication, stress management, psychological balance, and self-awareness, reflecting the university’s commitment to preventive mental health care and student well-being.
Mental Health related Workshops
- Communication Skills
The Communication Skills workshop aimed to educate students on social communication concepts, helping them organize their lives and develop positive skills for navigating life events. Held in the Electronic Learning Center, the session covered techniques for effectively using social media, highlighting its positive aspects, such as connectivity and access to information, while also discussing potential drawbacks like misinformation and mental health impacts.
- Personal Development and Resilience
This workshop focused on enhancing students' life skills by addressing personality differences and their influence on success. Also conducted in the Electronic Learning Center, key topics included understanding different personality types and interaction strategies, refining character, building resilience, and addressing bullying. Participants learned techniques to strengthen personal identity and enhance self-confidence.
- Understanding Stress and Panic Attacks
Organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs and the College of Health and Sport Sciences, this series of workshops aimed to help students manage stress and reduce panic attacks on the Salmaniya and Sakhir campuses. The sessions introduced evidence-based techniques such as mindfulness and breathing exercises, fostering awareness and resilience while emphasizing the importance of self-care and seeking support from counseling services.
- Psychological Calmness and Positive Thinking
Focusing on psychological calmness, this workshop emphasized its positive impact on individual and community well-being. Held in the Peace Hall at the College of Business Administration, the session covered positive thinking patterns and the importance of emotional management, providing techniques for enhancing mental health and achieving psychological balance.
- Time Management Skills Event
The Time Management Skills workshop engaged students in discussions about their experiences with time management. Conducted at the Zain Electronic Learning Center, it included essential skills for organizing and prioritizing tasks, the impact of effective time management on academic performance, and methods to alleviate anxiety and stress associated with poor time management practices.
Impact
The workshops—Communication Skills, Personal Development and Resilience, Understanding Stress and Panic Attacks, and Psychological Calmness and Positive Thinking—empowered students with practical tools for managing stress, enhancing self-confidence, fostering positive thinking, and building healthy communication habits.
Relevant SDG 3 Targets and Indicators:
Provides counseling services, mental health workshops, and the active promotion of well-being, supported jointly by the Health Care Center and the College of Health and Sport Sciences (CHS).
Mental Health Day: Hand in Hand Towards Safe Mental Health
Overview
On October 17, 2024, the Deanship of Student Affairs at the University of Bahrain (UoB) organized an event titled “Hand in Hand Towards Safe Mental Health” to commemorate World Mental Health Day.
Held at the College of Business Administration, the event featured lectures, exhibitions, and workshops aimed at increasing awareness and promoting mental well-being across the student community.
Speakers included Dr. Fatima Al-Maliki, Dean of Student Affairs; Dr. Sameera Al-Bastaki, Director of the Guidance and Counseling Department; and experts in psychology and sports health who discussed topics such as achieving psychological balance, recognizing mental disorders, and integrating physical activity into mental wellness.
Impact
The event provided a safe and inclusive platform for students to learn about mental health, access counseling resources, and engage in open dialogue about well-being.
Through collaboration between the Deanship and the Counseling Department, the initiative strengthened the culture of mental health awareness and access to support services at UoB.
This initiative directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by advancing mental health literacy and fostering a supportive campus environment.
Relevant SDG 3 Targets and Indicators:
Provides counseling services, mental health workshops, and the active promotion of well-being, supported jointly by the Health Care Center and the College of Health and Sport Sciences (CHS).
