COUNSELING & MENTAL

HEALTH SERVICES

University of Dhaka
Shaheen Islam, PhD
Professor
Department of Psychology
University of Dhaka
Mental Health Projection

 16.05% of the adult populations in Bangladesh

are suffering from some mental illness that need
treatment. (National Mental Health Survey in 2003-2005)

 Estimate of more than 5000 students are

suffering from mental health problem that
calls forth immediate attention.
 University of Dhaka

Student Counseling & Clinical

.. Counseling
Guidance Office psychology Psychology
.
.

1963 1997 2009

1965 2005
Department of Educational
Psychology Psychology
Student Counseling &
Guidance Office
Help students-
 To adjust to university life
 To pursue academic activity effectively
 To involve in co-curricular activities
 To develop ability to make best choices
 To solve personal problems
 To make life meaningful and enjoyable
Current activities
 Organizing orientation for freshers
 Providing academic and educational guidance through
student advisers
 Facilitating debating, math, and cultural competition
 Addressing special need of the disabled students
(appointing writer to dictation and facilitating stipends)
 Providing psychological counseling for personal
problems
Current Activities
 Introducing group therapy, social skill training, psycho-
education
 Strengthening peer support group
 Conducting training for professional growth of
counselors
 Building awareness on suicide, HIV/AIDS and drug
addiction
 Organizing seminars and workshops on counseling and
mental health issues
 Facilitating the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Counseling Initiative
In 1963,
– Dr. M K Ali provided counseling, personally

In 1997,
– Dr. Hamida A Begum introduced counseling service
with the help of Clinical Psychology
Presently,

– Clinical Psychologists, Peer Support Group, Trainees,

Clinical & Educational Psychologist volunteering to
render service
Maintaining Standard

 Ensuring confidentiality
 Maintaining documentation
 Strict Supervision
 Continuous professional growth
 Personal work
Delivery of Counseling Service
Client Status
(2006 – June 2009)

 Age : 18-23 years >60%

 Residential : 55%
 Rural : >60%
Presenting Symptoms
Inability to study Obsessive thought
Lack of concentration Difficulty in relationship
Inattentiveness Uncontrolled anger
Sleep problems Substance abuse
Weight problem Appetite problem
Irritability Lack of social skill
Indecision Religious concern
Low mood Lack of interest
Frustration Low energy
Anxiety Somatic complaints
Isolation Fear of evaluation
Difficulty in Memorizing Fear of death
Self harming tendency Fatigue
Examination fight Fear of rejection
Social anxiety Sexual concern
Stage fright Emotional bluntness
Lack of confidence Tension
Clinical Morbidity
 Depression
 Obsessive Compulsive
 Phobia
 Anxiety
 Adjustment problem
 Psychotic symptoms
Relational issues
 Break up of relationship
 Parental separation
 Conflicting upbringing
 Unhealthy family environment
 Over dependency
 Academic problem
 Lack of social support
 Peer problem
Relationship with Self

 Helplessness
 Hopelessness
 Identity crisis
 Low self esteem
 Lack of meaning in live
My Learning
 Growing recognition of psychological counseling
among NGO’s and GO’s
 Offhand use of notion of counseling
 Amateur service
 Chances of more harm than help
 Demand for professionalism
 Stigma attached
 Cross-cutting issue
 Professional challenge
scgo-mh08 17
Today’s Need
 Build awareness about available counseling service
 Orient about process involved in counseling
 Break through the misconception and stigma attached
to counseling
 Sensitize pupil on importance of counseling to bring
change in life
 Address the crying need of preventing suicide among
the student community
Prospects of counseling services

 Attending more pupil

 Initiating group therapy, social skill training, psycho-
education
 Strengthening peer support group
 Setting up psychological testing service
 Offering carrier counseling
 Organizing training for professional growth of
counselor
Constraining factors
 No post of psychologist
 Proper accreditation
 Administrative deadlock
 Lack of facilities for case documentation
 Inadequate case management
 Space limitation
 Insufficient funding
 Less priority
First Step Towards Mission
 Orienting authority and common people
 Initiating structured, specialized training
 Creating scope of service delivery
 Blending knowledge and experience
 Asserting accountability
 Maintain professional ethics
 Uphold team work

scgo-mh08 21
Fulfillment of Visions
 Establish proper accreditation
 Ensure effective service
 Reach sustainability
 Expand scope
 Serve humanity

scgo-mh08 22
Yearn for

 Attitude and commitment

 Cooperation and support
 Scheme and Goodwill