As part of the welcome activities for new students at the start of the academic term, the Wellness Center at the American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB) organized a three-day series of educational and recreational outdoor activities on the University’s distinguished campus. These activities aimed at helping students begin the semester in a positive atmosphere, supporting their overall well-being, and boosting their self-confidence. The initiative introduced to students the principles of psychoeducation and self-care, as well as the understanding and management of emotions. Additionally, it fostered a mindset of learning and growth on all levels, especially the cognitive and psychological.
During these activities, students learned about key indicators of mental health and when to seek help from counselors or therapists. They also had the opportunity to meet Ms. Yousra Misad, Student Mental Health Counselor at AUIB’s Wellness Center, and became familiar with the services the Center offers.
“Prevention is better than cure.” This well-known proverb reflects an important aspect of psychoeducation, explains Ms. Yousra Misad, pointing out that some students face relatively modest mental health challenges that do not necessarily require individual counseling sessions. These students can benefit from the information provided during activities and workshops, such as those organized by the Wellness Center, to educate themselves in this field. They can thus effectively manage psychological challenges and prevent them from escalating into more serious issues that might impair cognitive function, distort perception, or disrupt behavior and performance, issues that would then require therapy, says the Student Mental Health Counselor.
The need for psychoeducation is not limited to those facing challenges such as anxiety and depression. Rather, it extends to all students transitioning from high school to university life. This shift brings with it a range of challenges, including adapting to a new environment, meeting academic and social expectations, and navigating new interpersonal relationships, Ms. Yousra Misad adds.
Among the Wellness-related activities organized over the three-day period was a hands-on bracelet-making workshop using beaded thread. Beyond the well-known positive impact of manual work on mental wellbeing, such bracelets could also help students calm down by counting the beads during moments of stress. Other activities included exercises in designing lifestyle patterns that prioritize self-care, such as maintaining a regular exercise routine, and encourage embracing new challenges as a means of personal growth.