UEW Trains Counsellors to Support Campus Mental Health
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) through the Counselling Centre organised a capacity-building workshop for departmental counsellors at the Students Centre Seminar Room II on Wednesday, 30th July 2025.
The workshop guided participants through the principles, ethics and practical realities of student counselling. It aimed to ensure that students, whether silently battling depression or openly struggling with time management, had access to a trained, empathetic listener within their department.
Led by experienced professionals such as Prof. Patricia Mawusi Amos and Dr. Samuel Ofori Danquah, the session peeled back the layers of what it truly means to counsell—focusing not on dictating solutions but on walking alongside students as they discover their own paths forward.
Dr. Danquah, a lecturer in the Department of Counselling Psychology, articulated the foundational philosophy behind this initiative. He emphasised the crucial role of professionals and departmental staff in guiding students through a myriad of challenges including academic pressures, emotional distress and other personal hurdles.
"Help us as professionals in the university to navigate the paths of student issues, mainly on academic, emotional and other corporate challenges that go into this programme," Dr. Danquah urged, highlighting the collective responsibility to foster a supportive environment. The vision, he explained, was to empower lecturers to be not just educators but also approachable mentors, ensuring students have immediate, trusted points of contact within their respective departments.
Prof. Patricia Amos, a central figure in the workshop’s delivery, elaborated on the strategic importance of departmental counsellors. She passionately advocated for their role as the first line of defence—a crucial intermediary before issues escalate to the central counselling centre. "We need departmental counsellors, at least those whom even the academic counsellors will come to," she asserted.
Her presentation distinguished between general guidance and professional counselling, underscoring that while guidance can be offered by anyone, effective counselling requires specialised training, ethical adherence and a deep understanding of human psychology.
The workshop was designed to delve into the "nitty-gritty of counselling," equipping participants with the nuanced skills needed to truly assist students in finding their own solutions rather than simply dictating them. This involves active listening, empathetic engagement, and the ability to walk alongside students as they confront their challenges.
Prof. Patricia Amos also shed light on the diverse demographic of students at UEW including mature students, young and sometimes naive freshers, first-generation university attendees and individuals from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, as well as international students and those living with disability. This diversity, she noted, contributes to a broad spectrum of problems encountered by the counselling centre.
She observed that common issues faced by students included heavy academic workloads, poor examination results, ineffective study habits and time management difficulties. She recounted instances of students struggling academically, sometimes to the point of being withdrawn from the University, underscoring the profound impact these challenges have on their lives.
Prof. Patricia Amos underscored the importance of paying close attention to social issues such as conflicts with lecturers, disputes with roommates and broken relationships. She shared an emotional example of intervening in a student's relationship during the examination period to mitigate emotional distress.
She also revealed the alarming frequency of suicidal ideation cases, stating, "In the semester, you can hear about 20 cases." Financial issues—including students falling into debt and even betting problems—also make up a significant part of the counsellors' caseload. She emphasised the immense dedication required from counsellors who often go beyond their official duties to provide emotional and sometimes financial support to students.
Beyond academic and social challenges, the Counselling Centre frequently addresses marital issues among married students, shyness, difficulties in forging social connections and, crucially, mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety. This comprehensive training for departmental counsellors is a proactive step by UEW to create a more supportive and responsive environment for its student body. By empowering faculty members with essential counselling skills, the University aims to provide immediate and accessible assistance, helping students navigate their academic journey and personal lives with greater resilience and well-being. The initiative underscores UEW's commitment to nurturing not just academic but also holistic development among its students.
