At the beginning of September, SWPS University hosted an intensive course on “Mental Health Literacy in a Cross-Cultural Perspective”, organized by Anna Gabińska, Ph.D. from the Faculty of Psychology in Warsaw. 26 students from member universities of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) participated in the course.
Mental health and psychological support
During the course, we focused on the following topics: definition of mental health and mental health disorders, cultural differences in perceiving mental disorders and seeking psychological health, dispelling myths about mental disorders and suicide, promotion of wellbeing and psychological resilience, and prevention of mental disorders.
Our “Mental Health First Aid” workshop proved to be the most popular class among the participants. It taught the students how to assess a situation and provide assistance if a psychological crisis occurs. Students learned the important skills of listening and non-judgmental communication. They also learned how to provide support and information, and how to find appropriate professional help. The workshops were conducted by psychologists from the Faculty of Psychology in Warsaw — Anna Gabińska, Ph.D., Maja Baran, Ph.D., Marta Porębiak, Ph.D, and Monika Borawska-Charko, Ph.D..
The participants of the course included students from the following universities:
- European University Viadrina, Germany
- Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania
- New Bulgarian University, Bulgaria
- University of the Aegean, Greece
- University of Macerata, Italy
- University Paris 8, France
- SWPS University, Poland.
Participants of the ERUA Mental Health Literacy course at USWPS in Warsaw.
Participants of the course on Krakowskie Przedmieście street.
Participants of the course in front of the University of Warsaw.
Particpants of the course walking around Warsaw.
Particpants of the course at the Warsaw's Old Town.
International lectures
Additionally, the students had an opportunity to participate in four online lectures delivered by invited guests from academic and research institutions abroad, such as:
- Shue Ling Chong, Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham, Malaysia delivered a lecture on “From the time spent in front of a screen to psychological wellbeing: understanding of the problematic use of the internet and social media addiction among Malaysian adolescents”.
- A psychologist, Surabhi Roy, who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the same Malaysian university and who has graduated from SWPS University with a degree in Clinical Psychology, talked about her research into socio-cultural predictors of the inclination to seek psychological help in India.
- Reinier Dave P. Zapanta, Ph.D., from De La Salle University, in the Philippines presented an analysis of challenges related to mental health in the Philippines. It was a lesson of global awareness concerning mental health.
- Zoja Ghimire from Stiftelsen Mangfold i Arbeidslivet (MiA) in Norway focused on mental health services available to immigrants living in Norway. She highlighted the challenges and opportunities offered by systemic solutions.
Saturday presentations of innovative educational projects, aimed at raising mental health awareness in diverse social and cultural context were a fitted culmination of the whole course.
Integration and Collaboration
The “Mental Health Literacy in Cross-Cultural Perspective” intensive course was an opportunity for persons from different European countries and pursuing university degrees in different disciplines, to come together, learn and exchange of ideas. The participants represented not only psychology, but also pedagogy, journalism, law, political science, digital entrepreneurship, film studies, environmental studies, and innovation management. This diversity provided a unique opportunity to analyze the issues of mental health and mental disorders from many points of view, which allowed for a more comprehensive and multidimensional approach.
After classes, the students also had an opportunity to socialize and take a walking tour around Warsaw and learn about its most historically and culturally significant spots.
ERUA Member Universities
Funding