Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

Capacitating students to navigate their mental health journey

16 October 2023 | Story Michelle Nöthling | Photo iStock

Commemorating World Mental Health Month 2023 — The mental health of university students is of growing global concern.

One of the largest student mental health surveys in the world – initiated by Universities South Africa (USAf) in 2020 – found that up to 20% of university students in South Africa need mental health support. The research results also show that up to 77% of students with mental health disorders are not getting help. Contributing reasons include reluctance to seek help due to lingering stigma surrounding mental health, but also limited access. With growing demand and limited capacity, one-on-one therapy does not seem to be a sustainable solution. Some of the recommendations that stem from the report are to introduce a range of digitally based self-help interventions, to provide psychoeducation about when to access help, and to offer peer-to-peer support. This is precisely what the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Student Counselling and Development (SCD) is now implementing.

Coinciding with World Mental Health Awareness Month, SCD’s Road Map embodies a paradigm shift in student mental health support. “We want to capacitate students on their mental health journey. Following the Road Map, our students are now able to be active agents in their mental well-being,” says Dr Munita Dunn-Coetzee, SCD Director.

What exactly is this Road Map?

The SCD Road Map guides students to multiple sources of support. On the SCD website, students can delve into a wealth of self-help guides and toolkits that range from academic, emotional, and social well-being to personal challenges and psychological distress. In a commitment to expand the SCD reach beyond one-on-one sessions, the department is offering both in-person and online workshops and development programmes that can be accessed through Blackboard. Additionally, podcasts have been integrated into the SCD offerings to accommodate students' varying schedules and data constraints.

SCD has also partnered with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) to provide a 24/7 toll-free UFS Student Careline. The Careline can be reached in three ways: by calling 0800 00 6363, SMSing 43302, or emailing helpline@sadag.org. In a crisis, help is immediately activated, and assistance is sent to the student.

Another exciting aspect of SCD's Road Map¬ – which further integrates recommendations from the research report – is the shift from individual-centric interventions to group-based support. “We want to expand beyond individual therapy,” Dr Dunn-Coetzee says. “Although one-on-one therapy has an important place in mental health support, we are currently expanding to offer various support groups.” Through these circles of support, SCD aims to foster a culture of mutual learning, peer-to-peer connection, and collective well-being.

The Road Map therefore enables SCD to pivot toward a capacitating approach, equipping students to navigate their mental health journey in a truly collaborative model.

News Archive

R40 million construction contract with black empowerment group starts at UFS

2006-09-04

During the ceremonial kick-off of the biggest construction project in the history of the UFS were from the left: Ms Vuyiwe Mkhupha (Manager of Sikeyi Construction), Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS) and Prof Steve Basson (Head of the UFS Department of Chemistry). Photo: (Gerhard Louw)

R40 million construction contract with black empowerment group starts at UFS

The biggest construction contract in the history of the University of the Free State (UFS) to the value of R40 million has started on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. The contractors are Ströhfeldt Construction, in a joint venture with Sikeyi Construction, a black empowerment partner.

The contract comprises the extensive modernising, refurnishing and extension of the Chemistry Building. This is the highest amount the UFS has ever spent on the refurnishing of a building.

A number of initiatives have contributed to the fact that the UFS Department of Chemistry is one of the foremost chemistry departments in the country:

Expensive equipment and apparatus to the value of almost R20 million were acquired by the department the past year;
The basis of this is a strategic partnership with Sasol, the biggest research and development company in the country;
The purchase of the most advanced 600MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectro meter in Africa;
The purchase of a single crystal X-ray diffractometer; and
The purchase of a differential scanning calorie meter, used to test the effect of heat on chemicals. This apparatus comprises of the most advanced detectors in the world.

“Natural scientists need the necessary equipment, apparatus and laboratories to be able to exercise world-class science. Three years ago the UFS top management made a strategic decision to focus strongly on research and on our laboratories and lecture halls,“ said Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, during the launch of the Chemistry Building’s refurbishment.

“I regard this project as a symbol of our investment in science and the academy,“ said Prof Fourie.

Prof Fourie said that the UFS spent almost R100 million in the last 5 years to renovate the Main Campus. New buildings such as Thakaneng Bridge were built and other such as the Reitz Dining Hall was renovated and converted into the Centenary Complex. “These projects, together with the refurbishment of the Chemistry Building, also show how the UFS contributes to the development and growth of not only Bloemfontein, but also how we invest in the Free State,“ said Prof Fourie.

According to Ms Edma Pelzer, Director: Physical Planning and Special Projects at the UFS, the current building originally comprised of the Moerdyk Building built in 1949 and a newer wing built in 1966. This building became too small and obsolete and a new part is now being added to the eastern side.

According to Ms Pelzer a great deal of the project comprises the dramatic upgrading and modernising of laboratories, existing mechanical systems and the installation of new systems. “The nature of the work of staff and students demands sophisticated mechanical systems such as air conditioning, fume hoods, the provision of gas, etc and therefore these received specific attention. The research laboratories, lecture laboratories and office areas will also be separated for safety and greater efficiency,” said Ms Pelzer.

“Interesting design solutions for the complex needs of the department were found and I foresee that the building and its immediate environment will be an adornment to the Main Campus after its expected completion in 2008,” said Ms Pelzer.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
14 September 2006

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept