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Smile & Smart Center: Walailak University’s Free Mental Health Assistance for Students and Staff

05Nov 2023 by Krittayot Ritthijak

Sustainability and Stewardship

Smile & Smart Center: Walailak University’s Free Active Promotion of Mental Health Assistance for Students and Staff

The Division of Student Support and Development (DSSD) by Smile & Smart Center (SSC) of Walailak University organizes guidance services and suggestions for physical and mental problems. This mechanism of student assistance will help them graduate with good mental well-being.

 

In the past operation, passive service provision could not thoroughly reach students having mental problems. In the school year 2018, the Division of Student Support and Development collaborated with all Schools in Walailak University to promote the potential of Walailak University’s students to be smart and happy, hence the establishment of Smile & Smart Center. The center provides proactive service by building students’ trust and implementing profession conduct. Service given under Smile & Smart Center relies on experts who given advice to promote goodness in students and instill a sense of rightness and self-adjustment so that they can enjoy their life. These services are free of charge and available to general public.

In 2022, the Smile & Smart Center implemented an active mental health assessment for students at Walailak University. This assessment is conducted annually and consists of three evaluation forms, as listed below:

1. Screening for Depression (The Nine Patient Health Questionnaire Screening – PHQ-9, 9Q)

2. Assessment of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales – DASS-21)

3. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) from the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess students and analyze data for the group of students at risk before providing specific counseling services.

The center provides information to students facing mental health problems. Once the staff detect signs of problems, they will contact the student’s school to collaborate in helping the student. Teams of the helper in all schools have received training so that they can give advice appropriately.

Students with mental problems will receive support under the collaboration of their school, Smile Clinic, Psychiatry Clinic, and Walailak University Hospital, aiming to cure mental problems as soon as possible.

The service helps adjust students’ attitudes. They will learn to be satisfied with their peers and understand others. Some may have to schedule meetings with consultants. The process of taking students under care is so carefully done as to prevent further serious cases. Consequently, Walailak University’s system to monitor students’ mentality helps the students to be smart, happy, healthy, and mentally strong before they graduate to play role as a good citizen in the society.

Furthermore, the Smile & Smart Center, at Walailak University, consistently organizes series of free activities for academic advisors. These activities aim for academic advisor’s better understanding when having advises who have mental issues. Advisor as a first-hand “Helper,” needs to identify symptoms related to mental health such as stress, anxiety, and depression. As advisors, they are assumed to look after themselves and provide good care to others. The training sessions introduce useful techniques and tools for assisting and counseling students. They reinforce the guidance provided to academic advisors, preparing them to effectively listen to students and manage the Referral Process. Additionally, these sessions facilitate the exchange of experiences, feedback, and counseling approaches. Accessing these benefits allows academic advisors to better care for themselves and give more efficient assistance to students.

The Smile Club, designed for university staff, serves as a platform for staff members to participate in story-sharing sessions. These sessions feature speakers who share stories and insights based on their experiences, offering diverse perspectives. The sessions encourage collaborative learning to enhance self-care, ultimately leading to improved support for those close to us. Moreover, they serve as a foundation for the “Helper Skill Enhancement Program” to create a team of Helpers capable of managing stress and promoting well-being among colleagues and themselves. This program fosters cooperation with the Division of Human Resources and Organization.

Smile & Smart Center service

1. Promoting health psychiatry and development potential of student and staff events

In 2022, preparing development potential events such as mindset adjustment, living enhancement, stress management, and Psychology of love as follows:

Training and Depression Prevention

“Preparing Readiness, Mindset, and Well-being for Internship Students in the Workplace” Activity

“How to Move On” Activity

“Being Alone is so Scary, Can’t ya see Mr. Covid-19″

“Ignite Passion and Empower Learning with Dr. Sorawit Limopas Poolsawat, Walailak University’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year” Activity

Live Talk: World Mental Health Day

Happy Mind: The Passion of Life

Creating Happiness, Awakening Smiles Activity “GPA wanna bite! What do you Like!”

December’s Creating Happiness, Awakening Smiles Activity “When the Future . . . You.”

Training and Workshop

“Junior Master Trainer Leadership Training Program for Peer Educators, Academic Year 2022.”

“Student Adaptation Skills Enhancement Program, Academic Year 2022”

Fostering Connections and Nurturing Dreams: Economics

Smile & Smart Center and Tutor Center organized the activity “Creating Happiness, Awakening Smiles” in November: “Pick a Card – Choose the Right Person, Choose the Card You Like.”

Activity to Boost Inspiration in Learning: Believe It, You Can Learn for Sure

Smile Club Activities for Staff:

Case Conference Meetings by the Psychiatry Clinic of the Walailak University Hospital in collaboration with Smile & Smart Center for the enhanced care of students with mental health issues, providing a safer environment for students. The conference aimed to collaborate with relevant academic departments to understand the students’ conditions and develop strategies for student care, especially for those at high risk, helping instructors better reach and communicate with students and provide more suitable care. These case conference meetings are held regularly every month for continuous student support.

Smile Club “Heart-warming Stories”

Workshop “Self-Development in Self-Care” with Coach

“Basic Counseling” Course for Advisors, Generation 1-2

Training Activity: Preparing Junior Master Trainer Leaders for Peer Advisors, Academic Year 2022

“Happy Mind” Activity

Practical Training: “Mindfulness in the Workplace: Search Inside Yourself” for the Division of Human Resources and Organization staff at Walailak University”

“Knowing and Understanding Oneself through Enneagram” Activity

Smile & Smart Center organizes training on “Counseling in the Satir Model.”

Training to Enhance Counseling Potential in the Satir Model (Basic Satir Model Counseling)

Practical Training to Enhance Employee Well-being Skills (HELPER)

2. Suggestion service events

 The center has a staff advisor including psychology, psychiatric nurse, and psychiatrist that assist the student with stress, panic to understand yourself, create a target, and solve together in the individual and group model and giving suggestions from Smile Chat as follows:

In-Person Counseling Services: Location: Smile & Smart Center, Thiaburi Hall Building (connected to Building 5) on Monday to Friday, from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM.

Phone Contacts

  • Internal Number: 73122-3 or 0-7567-3122-3
    • Service Hours: Monday to Friday, from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM.
  • Phone: 09-5036-2444
    • Service Hours: Available daily from 08:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Online Communication

    • Facebook Inbox: WU Smile & Smart Center
  •  
    • Line Official: @286mztao

3. Mentality Test Event

The Smile & Smart Center, in collaboration with the Division of Student Support and Development (DSSD), the School of Nursing, and all other schools at Walailak University, is pleased to present the Mentality Test Event. This event is designed to promote and prioritize mental health awareness among students and staff. The event includes a range of tests and services aimed at enhancing self-awareness and personal development.

Mental Health Assessment

Evaluate your mental health using our online platform by accessing the assessment at https://smilesmart.wu.ac.th/site/index?language=en-US.

All tests for understanding yourself

Explore various tests designed to enhance self-awareness and personal development.

    • Tests include IQ assessment, EQ evaluation, personality assessment, career exploration, book recommendations for mental well-being, and self-development resources.

Inventor:

  • Smile & Smart Center (SSC), Division of Student Support and Development (DSSD)
  • School of Nursing
  • All Schools at Walailak University
  • Division of Human Resources and Organization

Related SDGs

3

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

4

Goal 4: Quality education

17

Goal 17: Partnership for the goals

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