The Centre for Student Counselling
and Development (CSCD) invites students to join an online psychological
skills training group. This group has been designed for university
students by an international team of mental health experts. The skills
you will learn are grounded in the science of cognitive-behavioural
therapy (CBT) and will help you master strategies to manage feelings of
depression and anxiety.
Who should join the group? The group is for anyone who wants to:
- understand themselves better;
- build psychological resilience and mental flexibility;
- manage distressing feelings and behaviours; and/or
- learn skills to improve their psychological health.
The
group is also for anyone who is struggling with intense feelings of
depression and/or anxiety. Even if you are currently seeing a doctor or
therapist, the group can still teach you valuable skills and provide
additional support. This group is not a substitute for other forms of
therapy.
Being at university can be a stressful time: students
must deal with academic demands, financial pressures and social issues.
These stressors can have a negative impact on your psychological health.
This group is designed to help you develop the skills you need to deal
with these day-to-day challenges, so that you don’t develop mental
health problems in the future.
How does the group work? The
group meets online once a week for one hour and will be facilitated by a
psychology master’s student who has received training in helping
students develop psychological skills. The group consists of 10
sessions, covering five themes. These themes are listed below:
- You feel the way you think:
Emotional triggers and automatic thoughts
How to identify activating events (emotional triggers) and recognize how automatic thoughts contribute to the way you feel.
Challenging automatic thoughts and core beliefs
How to identify and challenge unhelpful core beliefs and automatic thoughts
- Planning to succeed:
Getting on top of problems before they get you downHow to recognize stressors and use strategies to solve interpersonal and emotional problems.
Goal setting and planning
How to set goals and plan for behaviour change.
- Hacks to boost your mood:
Avoiding thinking traps
How to identify and modify dysfunctional patterns of thinking.
Overcoming rumination and guilt
How to use strategies to overcome rumination and guilt.
- Building mastery:
Behaviour activation
How to identify and increase activities that promote feelings of wellbeing and reduce stress.
Behaviours that matter
How to identify unhealthy habits and develop health-promoting behaviours.
- Avoiding meltdowns:
Understanding the body’s stress response
Understanding the body’s stress response and how to use strategies to regulate physiological arousal to stressors.
Managing stress and overcoming avoidance
How to manage stress and overcome avoidance.
What do I need to do to join a group? Email supportus@sun.ac.za., to inform us that you would like to join a group.
Remember:
Asking for help is never shameful. In the most extreme cases, it can
help save a life. When struggling, talk to friends, family or someone
who will listen. Alternatively, contact our Centre for Student
Counselling and Development at on (021) 808 4707 or supportus@sun.ac.za.
Our 24-hour Emergency Service, in collaboration with ER24, is available
at 010 205 3032.