Counselling Cell

Counselling is a process that aims to facilitate personal well being of the students through support and guidance of trained counselors, for a healthy mind and body.

With the intent to address and help resolve emotional and psychological issues of the student community of SMVITM, the college has initiated the “Counselling Cell” in the college premises with the help of a trained team of faculty members as Counselors.

The Counselling Cell encourages the students to understand themselves and the issues that trouble them and guides them to resolve their problems. These problems can be personal, emotional, social, family, peer, academic, sexual, etc. This is done through individual or group counselling to help them with academic goals, social and personality development, career goals, enhancing listening skills, empathy and interpersonal skills to have healthy relationships and a healthy lifestyle.

The role of the Counselor is to offer support through listening and responding in a confidential, non-judgemental and timely way, ensuring that the students become productive, well adjusted adults of tomorrow. They are trained to assess, diagnose and treat students struggling with academic stress, anxiety, depression, social addictions and other problems they face.

The goal of Counselling is to facilitate positive behaviour changes, improving the student’s ability to establish and maintain relationships socially, promoting their decision making process, helping the student to understand their own potential and cope effectively with the problems they face.

Aims and Objectives

SMVITM aims to develop a comprehensive approach to mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention, by providing resources and support to our focused stakeholders that include

• Students
• Faculty members and Administrative staff
• Parents of students

1. Students
   1. To start a student volunteer group and train the students to build a strong peer support system for mental health.
   2. Provide a safe and confidential platform to share their concerns.
   3. Empower them with effective coping mechanisms to navigate academic and personal challenges.
   4. Support in developing a positive self-image, building resilience
   5. Fostering a sense of belonging within the institute community.

2. Faculty members and Administrative staff
   1. To build trust, cooperation between faculty and staff members to work supportively and happily with each other through awareness talks and activities
   2. To provide resources and strategies to manage stress, maintain work-life balance, and prioritize their well-being.
   3. To support teachers in developing EI to understand and handle students better.
   4. To promote a culture of understanding and mutual respect among teachers, fostering a positive and supportive work environment
3. Parents
   1. To ensure that students do not face pressures from parents by organizing awareness programs for parents on how to handle their “next gen” children
   2. Provide guidance on parenting strategies and ways to support their child’s emotional well-being.
   3. Foster open communication channels between parents, students and the institute, ensuring that parents are involved in their child’s educational and life journey.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. To initiate awareness talks on common issues faced by students entering professional courses and into young adulthood.
2. To build self confidence and self-esteem of students.
3. To help students in self-profiling through value based learning sessions through motivational speakers to bring changes in behaviour, confidence and attitude
4. To conduct expert talks by inviting professionals from various domains to help students and faculty members/administrative staff to understand their emotional wellbeing, to cope and handle stress better.
5. To organize activities through gamification on team building, problem solving, bonding and trust among students, faculty and staff members.
6. To conduct guidance programs for Parents having children issues at home to help cope with their Gen Z(children born after 2000) children.

Committee Coordinator:  Ms. Vidya Bhat – Institutional Coordinator

External Mentor: Dr. Veerupaksha Devaramane, Psychiatrist, Dr. A.V.Baliga Memorial Hospital, Udupi

Steps to be followed