Vishwas – Student Guidance and Counseling Center of Jain (Deemed-to-be University) conducted a lecturer sensitization session on importance of counseling among students at School of Graduate Studies, Jain (Deemed-to-be University) on 15 November 2016. The objective of the session was to sensitize lecturers about the need of counselling for the youth and actively involve them in the wellbeing of students.
Dr. Uma Warrier, Chief Counselor, Vishwas- Jain (Deemed-to-be University) and the speaker for the session addressed 21 faculty and had an interactive session with them. As lecturers are the first point of contact for students and connect outside world and college, Dr. Uma Warrier asked the participants’ views on lecturers being gatekeepers for counselling.
To emphasize this point, a short video was showcased, where in a few students and lecturers shared their experiences, how an intervention by a lecturer at the time of crisis, changed their life. Further the session focused on how lecturers' role is different from that of a counselor’s role: lecturers are mentors, trusted friend, and experienced guide whereas counselors are accepting, objective and non-judgmental. They do not advice. Common myths about counseling and counselor were also the topic of discussion.
A group activity - Animology was also conducted where participants were divided into three groups. Three participants volunteered and identified themselves with an animal and reasoned out for their choice. Then each group was given a situation and were asked to identify problem and suggest ways to handle it. All the three groups enjoyed and came out with valid points.
