As July begins, Mangosuthu University of Technology is intensifying its focus on mental health awareness. While the Student Counselling Unit works year-round to destigmatise mental health issues, July serves as a dedicated period to elevate the conversation, share crucial information, and encourage the campus community to take psychological well-being seriously.
According to Dr Paulette Naidoo, Director of the Student Counselling Unit at MUT, the core objective of this month-long campaign is to ensure students understand mental health matters, recognise warning signs and symptoms, and, most importantly, reach out for help before a crisis occurs. “The essential message is that students do not have to battle their mental health struggles alone, or in silence,” said Dr Naidoo.
Because untreated mental health conditions like depression can lead to severe and sometimes fatal consequences, including suicide, Dr Naidoo emphasises, “a critical framework for the campus community: the TI acronym, which stands for Timing and Intervention.” Dr Naidoo stressed that timeous, meaning early and well-timed, interventions are vital. When students seek help early, it prevents symptoms from intensifying. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risks of self-harm, mitigates the potential for tragedy, and vastly improves the prospects for long-term recovery.
Ultimately, early help-seeking behaviours save lives. They prevent severe psycho-social and financial distress for individuals, families, and communities, while directly helping students stay on track to achieve their academic goals and actualise their full potential.
MUT students are strongly advised to reach out to the Student Counselling Unit with any mental health concerns they may have about themselves or their peers. To lower the barrier to receiving care, the Student Counselling Unit operates an immediate intake system. Students experiencing distress do not need to wait for a scheduled appointment. Instead, they can walk into the Unit at their exact time of need and receive immediate attention from the psychologist or student counsellor on intake duty.
Ample mental health support resources remain available on campus through the Student Counselling Unit and within the wider community, offering 24/7 online and in-person support.