Mental Health in ASU
https://www.asu.edu.bh/student-counselling-office
Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain places a paramount emphasis on the mental health and well-being of both its students and employees. Recognizing that mental health is a fundamental component of overall academic and personal success, ASU has taken proactive measures to provide comprehensive support and resources in this critical area.
Counseling Department: ASU Bahrain boasts a dedicated Counseling Department staffed by experienced and compassionate professionals. This department serves as a vital pillar of support for students and employees who may be facing various mental health challenges. The Counseling Department offers confidential counseling sessions, providing individuals with a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss and address concerns related to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. By ensuring the confidentiality of these sessions, ASU creates an environment where seeking help is encouraged and stigma is minimized.
Workshops and Awareness Lectures: ASU Bahrain actively organizes workshops and awareness lectures that tackle various aspects of mental health. These sessions are designed to educate and equip students and employees with valuable strategies for managing stress, enhancing well-being, and building resilience. Through these workshops, ASU fosters a culture of awareness and empowerment, allowing its community members to proactively engage with their mental health and seek help when needed.
By prioritizing mental health and offering a range of supportive services, including counseling, workshops, and awareness lectures, ASU in Bahrain is committed to creating a campus environment where both students and employees can thrive academically and personally while prioritizing their mental well-being.
Student Counselling Office
https://www.asu.edu.bh/student-counselling-office/about-the-office-counselling/
Objectives:
– Help solve educational, social and psychological issues that students may be exposed to during their academic study in the university. As well as, pave the way for them to continue their academic career in a smooth manner.
– Organise programs to prevent and minimise the problems that may be the cause for students to fail or withdraw from the university.
– Help students understand the university’s environment, nature of the specialisation, study system and the rules and regulations specific to the students of the university.
– Develop positive values and attitude within students and motivate them to strive for excellence in their academic achievement.
– Coordinate with faculty members to address some of the educational, behavioural, social, psychological and health-related situations that may be experienced by some of the students.
– Conduct studies and research surveys to learn about the prevalence of some of the problems between the students and provide stakeholders the necessary recommendations to reduce these problems in the future.
– Organize some awareness and educational activities for students, academic and administrative staff of the university in order to develop their personal abilities and build their attitudes positively towards social counselling services.
Services provided to the students:
– Educational Counselling: It aims to follow up the students’ academic progress and address the problems that hinder their academic achievement.
– Social Counselling: It aims at building positive social attitudes among the students and to address some special cases.
– Psychological Counselling: It aims to provide assistance and necessary psychological advice to those students who need it.
– Preventive Counselling: It aims to educate students and prevent them from falling into problems; whether they were health-related, psychological or social, to maintain the positive features of their personality.
– Group Counselling: It is for those students who have similar interest, goals and issues; where those students get to learn how to gain self-confidence, communication skills, social interaction skills, group participation, and handling responsibility.
– Variety of information sources: Such as booklets, brochures, audio-visual materials relating to social counselling and enabling students to make use of them in order to help them better adapt with themselves and with others in various aspects of life.
Mental Well-being Workshop
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PND-V8-Issue-15-6-June-2023.pdf
Dr. Mai El Shaby, in collaboration with the Community Service Office, conducted a workshop titled “Emotional Safety.” The workshop was held on May 21, 2023, and was attended by Professor Mariam Al-Sanabi and members of the university’s faculty and staff. The workshop focused on various aspects of emotional well-being, addressing issues such as stress, anxiety, and emotional disturbances. It aimed to guide participants towards a balanced and healthier life by managing emotions and stressors effectively.
Dr. Mai discussed strategies to enhance emotional resilience, which can help individuals navigate life’s challenges more effectively. She highlighted the importance of self-awareness and emotional regulation, providing insights into recognizing and dealing with emotional triggers. The workshop also touched upon the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and how to prevent negative emotions from impacting one’s mental state.
The session witnessed active participation from students and attendees, as they engaged in discussions and raised questions related to emotional well-being. Dr. Mai provided comprehensive and insightful answers to these inquiries, adding value to the collective learning experience and contributing to the overall awareness and understanding of emotional health for both students and community members.
Student Affairs (SA)
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Student-Handbook-English-2022-2021.pdf
The Deanship of Student Affairs follows a student-centred philosophy and is fully committed to enhancing the University life experience for all ASU students. The Deanship of Student Affairs provides various services to deal with students’ needs and solve their problems in collaboration with the Colleges, Departments and other relevant parties. The Deanship provides activities and opportunities for students to foster their intellectual and personal development, and to enhance the overall students’ life experience.
Student Services Office
The Student Services Office supports students in the following ways:
- Assists students and provides guidance to help them to deal with various issues in cooperation with their Academic Advisors, Academic Departments, and Colleges.
- Supervises the election of the Student Council and its constitution.
- Spreads awareness amongst students of the University’s rules and regulations.
- Creates an environment that helps students to participate in all fields.
- Assists in establishing students’ activities, organise clubs, sporting, cultural, and social activities that fulfil the needs of the students and improve their skills.
- Discovers students’ particular talents and provides opportunities where possible to all students to maximise the use of these talents.
- Monitors the social media and disseminates information regarding relevant events which are relevant to ASU students.
- Supervise students Clubs formation and their activities
- Support student with special needs with coordination of the counselling Office Manager.
Student Counselling Office
Students who need help, whether personal or educational or who find difficulty coping with stress can contact the Student Counselling manager or the Dean of Student Affairs. All cases are discussed in complete confidentiality.
The Student Counselling Office helps to solve social, psychological, and health-related issuesthat students may encounter during their academic study at ASU and ensures that where this requires the services of external professional advice or assistance that the student is directed to the appropriate people or agencies who can provide help. The student counselling manager also deals with students with special needs, coordinates with relevant parties to ensure that, whilst preserving confidentiality, other academic or support staff are aware of any exceptional circumstances which may impinge on the student’s academic work. The Student Counselling Office further strives to develop positive values and attitudes within students and motivates them to strive for excellence in their academic achievement.
Services for Students with Special Needs/ Disabilities
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Student-Handbook-English-2022-2021.pdf
The University provides full assistance to students with disabilities and assists them by taking appropriate actions to ensure their welfare. Students with particular medical conditions or with learning support needs that affect their ability to undertake their academic studies or general wellbeing are requested to inform the Student Counselling Office or the Dean of Student Affairs and submit their medical records.
The Deanship of Student Affairs or the Student Counselling manager will, in full confidence, take appropriate actions and contact relevant academic staff to provide additional support throughout their study at the University. The University aims to make all reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. It has dedicated and qualified staff to handle issues pertaining to students with disabilities. For more information, please refer to the special needs policy on www.asu.edu.bh.
Counselling
The University will provide counselling services to students with disabilities on a regular basis and will strive to meet all learning requirements of the students and ensure that the students feel properly accommodated within University premises.
Academic Support
- Examination support: Different examination halls, breaks between exams, increased examination time, increased font size used in examination papers, note taking, and other supports will be provided depending on the student case and needs.
- In-class support: Seating arrangement facilities will be provided to accommodate students with disabilities adequately. Tutor support during and after class will also be provided if needed.
- Learning aids such as visual aids, and other assistance devices will be provided when possible.
Confidentiality
- All matters pertaining to students that have been identified as students with special needs are treated with full confidentiality and discretion. Student’s records are kept in secure files.
- Students with special needs are required to update their health files/ records on a regular basis.
Academic Advising
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Student-Handbook-English-2022-2021.pdf
- All registered students are assigned an academic advisor before the commencement of their academic studies. The students will be given the opportunity to meet their advisors during the orientation process.
- The academic advisor will assist the student to successfully complete their degree Programme through periodic coaching, mentoring, and guiding the student through the University policies, regulations, and assessment criteria.
- Academic advisors help to develop well- rounded individuals who are able to make informed and sound career choices and also help the students through their personal issues and problems that may get in the way of their academic progress.
- Academic advisors are available to support and guide students; however, students themselves are responsible for selecting and managing the content of their academic Programmes and making satisfactory progress toward their chosen academic degrees.
Student Counselling
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ASU-Student-Handbook-in-English-2018-2019.pdf
ASU provides the “Student Counselling” in collaboration with the “Community Engagement Office”, seeks to effectively contribute to the self-development of the students who are in need of care and psycho-social support. The aim is to help them attain the optimal level of psycho-social adjustment with themselves and their surroundings, by providing counseling sessions and raising awareness. The Unit offers counseling services and interventions free of charged , including but not limited to psychological, social and educational services for the students. These services are rendered in accordance with world-wide counseling, therapeutic psychological and ethical standards which regulate psycho-social services. The guiding principle for the Unit is nondiscrimination and equality. The student counselling manager also deals with students with special needs. coordinates with relevant parties to ensure that, whilst preserving confidentiality, other academic or support staff are aware of any exceptional circumstances which may impinge on the student’s academic work. The Student Counselling office further strives to develop positive values and attitudes within students and motivates them to strive for excellence in their academic achievement.
Student Counselling office
https://www.asu.edu.bh/student/student-affairs/counselling-ofice/about-the-office/
Objectives:
- Help solve educational, social and psychological issues that students may be exposed to during their academic study in the university. As well as pave the way for them to continue their academic career in a smooth manner.
- Organise programs to prevent and minimise the problems that may be the cause for students to fail or withdraw from the university.
- Help students understand the university’s environment, nature of the specialisation, study system and the rules and regulations specific to the students of the university.
- Develop positive values and attitude within students and motivate them to strive for excellence in their academic achievement.
- Coordinate with faculty members to address some of the educational, behavioural, social, psychological and health-related situations that may be experienced by some of the students.
- Conduct studies and research surveys to learn about the prevalence of some of the problems between the students and provide stakeholders the necessary recommendations to reduce these problems in the future.
- Organize some awareness and educational activities for students, academic and administrative staff of the university in order to develop their personal abilities and build their attitudes positively towards social counselling services.
Services provided to the students:
- Educational Counselling: It aims to follow up the students’ academic progress and address the problems that hinder their academic achievement.
- Social Counselling: It aims at building positive social attitudes among the students and to address some special cases.
- Psychological Counselling: It aims to provide assistance and necessary psychological advice to those students who need it.
- Preventive Counselling: It aims to educate students and prevent them from falling into problems; whether they were health-related, psychological or social, to maintain the positive features of their personality.
- Group Counselling: It is for those students who have similar interest, goals and issues; where those students get to learn how to gain self-confidence, communication skills, social interaction skills, group participation, and handling responsibility.
- Variety of information sources: Such as booklets, brochures, audio-visual materials relating to social counselling and enabling students to make use of them in order to help them better adapt with themselves and with others in various aspects of life.
ASU has developed awareness, workshops, lectures with the purpose that the academic community and university staff have well-being and excellent physical and mental health for the days at the ASU facilities:
Mental Health During Exam Periods
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5QuezyNMQY/?igsh=dmM0aml5b3d0ZWw4
The Student Affairs Guidance Office invites you to attend a lecture titled:
“Mental Health During Exam Periods”
Presented by Dr. Horia Al-Deeb,
Faculty Member at the College of Administrative Sciences,
on Wednesday, April 3, 2024,
from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM,
via the virtual room link available on the university’s main page bio.
Postpartum Mental Health
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5cy7VnMEYO/?igsh=MXhveHNqNGlodHNiMQ%3D%3D
The Health Unit invites you to attend a lecture titled:
“Postpartum Mental Health”
Presented by Ms. Zainab Al-Afiyah, Health Promotion Specialist – Ministry of Health,
on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 11:00 AM,
via the virtual room link available in the bio.
Student Council Ghabgha (Our Happiness is in our Ghatherness)
The Student Council for its 10th cycle in the Deanship of Student Affairs organized a ghabgha night on 15 June 2017 under the name “Our Happiness is in Our Gathering” at ASU Campus. The event was attended by a big number of students, alumni, alumni club members, and other universities student council members. The attendees enjoyed the event, which included different activities like gerga’oon, lewa traditional band, competitions and student volunteers honoring for the year. The Student Council did a great job in organizing a successful event by having Ramadan vibes décor and having an interactive atmosphere.
ASU Hosted ‘Think Positive’ Lecture
https://www.asu.edu.bh/2017/02/asu-hosted-think-positive-lecture/
On 1 February 2017, the Royal Charity Organization in collaboration with the Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University organized “Think Positive” lecture; which targeted young people aged sixteen years and older, widows, and orphans. The lecture was delivered by the coach Mr. AbdulAziz Dalloul from Qatar who discussed different subjects related to positive thinking and facing the challenges of life.
Organisng “The Psychology of Marriage” Lecture
In collaboration with the ASU Community Engagement Office, the Counselling Office of the Directorate of Student Affairs, delivered a Lecture titled “The Psychology of Marriage”, to ASU Students, on 3rd March 2023. The Lecture was presented by Dr. Marwa Al-Mulla, Assistant Professor at the College of Arts – University of Bahrain.
Organising “Psychological security” Lecture
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsdiTWJNhVB/
In collaboration with the ASU Community Engagement Office, the Counselling Office of the Deanship of Student Affairs, delivered a Lecture titled “Psychological security”, to ASU Students, on 21st May 2023. The Workshop was presented by Professor Murad Abdalah AlJanabi, Academic Staff in Department of Public Law.
Psychology of Marriage Workshop
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PND-V8-Issue-13-6-April-2023.pdf
The Counseling Office, in collaboration with the Community Service Office, conducted a workshop titled “Psychology of Marriage” on Monday, the 22nd of March, 2022. Dr. Marwa Al-Mall, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bahrain, delivered the lecture and discussed the topic of marriage and the psychology of men and women.
The lecture began with an introduction to marriage and its significance. Dr. Al-Mall then delved into the psychology of men and women, highlighting common traits within each gender and differences between them. She also covered theories related to marriage, marriage prerequisites, and the foundations of making sound choices. Examples were provided to illustrate these concepts.
The workshop witnessed active participation from students and attendees, who posed various questions and inquiries about the topic of marriage and the psychology of men and women. Dr. Al-Mall provided comprehensive and clear answers to these questions, significantly enhancing the value of the workshop and helping to elevate knowledge and awareness among the participants.
Personal Skills of Organization and Implementation Workshop
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PND-V8-Issue-13-6-April-2023.pdf
The Counseling Office, in collaboration with Mr. Yaser Abu Seneh, the Head of the Human Resources Department, conducted a workshop titled “Personal Skills of Organization and Implementation” on Wednesday, the 26th of March, 2022. The workshop was attended by members of the 25th Student Council, student club members, as well as a group of students interested in enhancing their skills in time management and personal organization.
The main objective of the workshop was to educate participants on how to enhance their abilities in managing their time and personal organization. The workshop covered various topics such as time usage analysis, setting priorities and action plans, defining personal goals and objectives, managing meetings, and controlling stress.
The attendees received tips and guidance on creating an effective time management schedule and proactive planning to achieve goals. They also learned about tracking progress, performance assessment, and improvement. The importance of continuous monitoring and evaluation of individuals’ performance was emphasized, along with identifying problems, obstacles, and working towards improvement.
The students interacted excellently with the presenter, asking insightful questions related to time management and enhancing personal performance. All questions were answered comprehensively and thoroughly, providing participants with the necessary information to enhance their time management skills and implement personal plans.
In conclusion, participants were given the opportunity to assess their personal performance and formulate action plans for improvement. They engaged in exchanging ideas and experiences with each other, collaborating within the group to enhance their skills in personal organization and implementation.
Workshop on Stress Management
The Training Centre arranged a workshop for the administrative staff titled “Stress Management”. The workshop discussed job burnout and stress in epidemic proportions. This workshop explored the causes of such stress, and suggests general and specific stress management strategies that employees can use every day.
‘Communicating with Impact’ Workshop
https://www.asu.edu.bh/2016/11/communicating-impact-workshop/
The Training Centre delivered a workshop designed to focus on the most essential foundational communication skills of listening, asking insightful questions and understanding the power of body language and non – verbal communication. Participants were trained on the importance of rapport and how building proper rapport using simple NLP techniques like pacing and leading can dramatically improve their overall communication skills that are directly translated into positive results.
A Special Day for Down Syndrome Care Center at Applied Science University
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Community-Engagement-2018-2019-Final-Version.pdf
On the occasion of the Kingdom’s 47th Glorious National Day and 19th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne, and as part of Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University initiatives in supporting the community; the University received Down Syndrome Care Center and prepared a special day for them by organising number of activities for them. ASU Academic and Administrative Staff, and Students participated in the activities that were organised to the visitors such as drawing, playing games, face painting, doing magic with the magician, singing, dancing, and distributing gifts to the visitors. At the beginning of the day, the visitors had a warm welcome from the University. After that, the activities started by playing the National Anthem and distributing Kingdom of Bahrain flags to the visitors, then singings songs and poetries about the occasion of the Kingdom’s 47th Glorious National Day and 19th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne. The visitors had a fantastic time with the different activities, and they were pleased, they enjoyed the magic tricks provided by the magician, painting on pottery, face painting, participating in competitions, singing, dancing, and getting gifts. Also, a Number of Public Figures and Artists has been invited to participate in the activities of the event. At the end of the visit that was on Wednesday, 12 December 2018, Down Syndrome Care Center management thanked Applied Science University for the memorable day and for supporting special needs and the community in general.
Applied Science University Celebration on the Occasion of the International Day of Awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder “You Are Not Alone”
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Community-Engagement-2018-2019-Final-Version.pdf
Under the Patronage of His Excellency Mr Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of Shura Council, and as a part of Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University Initiatives; the International Organization for Child Protection in collaboration with Applied Science University organised “You Are Not Alone” celebration. The celebration was held on the occasion of the International Day of Awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder with the presence of His Excellency Mr Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of Shura Council, and Prof Ghassan Fouad Aouad, President of Applied Science University on Saturday, 6 April 2019. The Ceremony was opened by Prof Ghassan Fouad Aouad speech. In his speech, Prof Ghassan welcomed and thanked His Excellency Mr Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of Shura Council for patronage the celebration, and thanked the Regional Office of the International Organization for Child Protection in the Kingdom of Bahrain and all participants, organisations and supporters. “Our goal of this event is to raise awareness of autism among all groups of society and to identify, even in a simple way, the suffering of children or their dependents, Prof Ghassan said. Prof Ghassan also thanked the Ministry of Education for providing opportunities to integrate autistic children in public schools in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Ceremony also included honouring the parents and the participating and supporting parties, followed by a play presented by the students of ASU in cooperation with the students of Rifaa Al Sharqi School for Boys under the title “Do you want me?” The University also presented a video called “My Story”, which recounted the story of a child with autism and how parents and society deal with its situation. The Ceremony ended with the participation of the child Nasser Habeel, which it was a sports show, and the graduate student Hajar Al-Manaa by presenting an educational entertainment website for children with autism. ASU also hosted kids from Autism centres and organised a number of activities and games for them. 31 Social and Health Centres and Participants from the local community participated in the exhibition, that was held during the Ceremony. A group of ASU students also participated in the exhibition by presenting artworks related to Autism. At the end of the celebration, Prof Ghassan and Mr Salman Al-Subaie Manager of Regional Office of the International Organization for Child Protection in the Kingdom of Bahrain honoured all the participating bodies and the voluntary organisational committees, which contributed to the success of the event.
My life is a beat
The Community Engagement Office at Applied Science University supported the festival “My Life is a Beat” that was organised by Life Pulse Bahrain Voluntary Team in Ramli Mall on the occasion of Mother’s Day. The festival included medical tests such as temperature, oxygen, heart rate, blood pressure, basic sugar, health education for physicians section, physical therapy, mental health, and dental health section. Several activities also took place such as songs, poems, gymnastics show, entertainment contests, healthy cooking contest, games, gifts, faces painting and colouring for children. A number of public figures attended the festival such as the artist Shafiqa Yousif, artist Ahmad Isa, and former national team player, Ahmad Hubail. At the end of the celebration, the Community Engagement Office on behalf of the University represented by Mr Thaer Mustafa Alramini was awarded for supporting and participating in the festival.
ASU Health Day
Under the patronage of Prof Ghassan Fouad Aouad, President of Applied Science University; and as a part of the Community Engagement Office initiatives at Applied Science University, CE Office and Deanship of Students Affairs in cooperation with King Hamad University Hospital and Life Pulse BH Team organised “ASU Health Day” at the University campus on Tuesday, 4 December 2018. The Health day included many activities such as blood donation campaign under the supervision of the Medical Staff of King Hamad University Hospital, Life Pulse BH Team from their side conducted comprehensive health checks such as blood pressure, blood sugar, natural therapy, dental examination, and provide health education on various topics such as public health, physiotherapy, sports therapy, mental health ,relaxation therapies, food hygiene, in addition to measuring eye and eye pressure by Ghanim Optician.
In addition, Shifa al Jazeera Hospital participated in providing tests to the attendees that included University Academic and Administrative Staff, students, and the local community. The Health Day also included questions, competitions and entertainment programmes for the attendees and the distribution of prises, including a ticket to Dubai. The University President and thanked the organisers and participants, and some group pictures were taken.
Covid 19 Tips
https://www.facebook.com/ASUBAHRAIN
Currently with the pandemic of Covid19 ASU took measures to ensure the physical, psychological and well-being of its academic community and staff, on social networks and the university website published what are the first symptoms and advice to avoid being affected by covid19.
ASU Clinical Collaborations:
ASU has been collaborating with local and international institutions in order to improve the health and wellbeing of students and staff, for ASU the academic community is essential and wants to provide the best possible services, additionally ASU contributes in the same way to the health local community since it considers public health as essential for all.
Mental Health Awareness Campaign
On November 14, 2018, ASU organized a joint event between its Student Counselling and Community Engagement Office organized a Mental Health Awareness Campaign. The Campaign tackled two main topics: Anxiety and Depression and included local stands with interactive activities for all the students designed to test the students’ knowledge of the topic and correct their misconceptions. Students were also got introduced about the different Mental Health facilities in Bahrain.
Launching the Covid19 hotline service
Among its preparations to deal with the developments related to the emerging corona (Covid 19) virus, and based on the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, First Deputy Prime Minister, in facilitating the educational process procedures for students, and togetherness to limit the spread of the Corona virus, The university launched the hotline free of charged service , and the technical support unit to assist in mental and physical health about covid19 students during the distance education process, respond to their questions and inquiries, and link them directly with their professors to overcome all the difficulties that they may face during this exceptional period. The launch of this system comes in response to government directives in the Kingdom of Bahrain to prevent and combat the emerging corona virus, and ensure the smooth flow of the educational process, and identify the needs and requirements of students.
Mental Health Study “Investigating The Effect of Urban Built Environmenton Mental Health (depression)”
Investigating The Effect of Urban Built Environment on Mental Health (depression): Case study of Damietta city, Egypt. Mental health disorders account for 7.4% of the burden of disease and are now the leading cause of long-term disability worldwide. This paper explores the impact of the attributes of the built environment on mental health. It is difficult to measure mental health, so depression has been chosen to indicate it as the most common form of mental illness and its prevalence is projected to increase (CDC, 2013a) and it can be measured. Depression was assessed in across sectional survey of residents on (n=445) which has been divided into 4 study areas. Each 2 areas have the same socio-economic characteristics and different in urban built environment attributes depending on Hamilton rating scale for depression as instrument to evaluate the severity of depressive symptoms. The attributes of the built environment in those neighbourhoods are investigated using geographic information systems. The results of this research may the anticipated specific guidelines for a healthy urban planning could be anticipated as it indicated to there is a relationship between the attributes of the urban built environment and the severity of the depressive symptoms also Emphasized the possibility of building psychologically healthy cities through urban design.
Health and Safety
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Health-Safety-Handbook.pdf
In regard to free mental health support, the University in the last years has contracted an insurance company which provides health insurance to the teaching staff and some designated members of the administrative staff so that they can access the medical care in private hospitals accredited by the insurance company at nominal prices, as well as being treated at the government health centers.
Here are some health-related policies and services that ASU applies.
- Health Insurance:
- The University shall provide health insurance with an approved healthcare provider for its entire academic staff, Senior Management, Administrative Directors, and Administrative Department Head on an annual basis.
- All administrative employees shall retain the right to benefit from the health care provided by the government hospitals within the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- Health and Safety Officer
- The University shall, at all times, have one person in charge of health and safety. Some key responsibilities of the Health and Safety Officer (HSO) are:
- Ensuring that the University’s premises are safe by completing routine risk assessments, and being constantly vigilant for any hazards or potential threats to employee health and safety.
- Preparing and maintaining a first aid room, and ensuring that it is staffed by a qualified nurse.
- Maintaining a list of emergency contacts and ensuring the details of these are available to staff throughout the premises.
- Ensuring that posters and publicity materials regarding key health and safety processes are sufficient to inform staff of these procedures.
- Ensuring the staff and students are aware of all key health and safety processes, equipment, and location through proper signage and maps.
- Preparing a training manual for new-employee orientation and for regularly updating all staff in health and safety procedures.
- Ensuring that the Health and Safety Checklist Form is completed for all parts of the University premises.
- Individual Staff / Students
- All employees of the University shall ultimately be responsible for upholding the Health and Safety Policies of the University.
- The University shall, at all times, have one person in charge of health and safety. Some key responsibilities of the Health and Safety Officer (HSO) are:
It is worth noting that, the Health and Safety Officer of the University at all times has one person in charge of health and safety. Thus, constantly is vigilant for any hazards or potential threats to employee health and safety. Also are repairing and maintaining a first aid room, and ensuring that it is staffed by a qualified nurse. The list of emergency contacts and ensuring the details of these are available to staff throughout the premises. It is ensuring the staff and students are aware of all key health and safety processes, equipment, and its location through proper signage and maps, among other activities.
Care Centers
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/health-centres.xlsx
The Applied Science University has health care centers are listed below, in such a way that the academic community can have free access to any of them when required:
Positive thinking
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PND-V5-Issue-40-020820.pdf
The University during the Pandemic that the world is experiencing and taking into account the mental problems that it has been able to generate in the University staff, through its President’s News Digest, provides different messages to give support, which helps to overcome this situation.
One of the messages has been given by Ms. Maheera Fasial – Head of Administrative Services Unit and Directorate of Library and Information Services.
Positive Thinking is a mental attitude in which you expect good results, generating thoughts that lead you to convert energy into reality without ignoring less pleasant life’s circumstances but thinking of them in a more productive and positive way. In simple words, expecting the best is happening not the worst.
A Positive mind helps you manage your daily issues and brings optimism into your life, it also makes avoiding negative thinking and worries easier. Adopting it as a way of life would bring happiness, brightness, and success into your life and it could be reflected in your job performance and evaluation as it is observed that positive people are performing better as they are more effective and motivated. So, if you tend to think positively, you will gain a number of benefits associated with positive emotions in many aspects: Health benefits >> you will be physically healthier as you will have a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and stronger immune systems. Further, you will sleep better which improves your productivity.
Psychological benefits >> you will be more energetic and more self-confident, as an outcome, you will be able to set up higher goals and invest more efforts towards reaching your goals.
Mental benefits >> while a negative mind will narrow your focus to respond to threats, a positive mind does just the opposite; it opens your mind up, expands the range of ideas that come to mind so you sight multiple solutions to those threats, make better decisions.
Social benefits >> by having a positive mindset, you tend to have a built-in psychological resilience which allows you to better respond to unpleasant moments. As an Outcome, it will lead you to high-quality relationships at the workplace that are related to motivation, creativity, and productivity and certainly towards personal growth and development.
Here are some tips on how to think positive thoughts:
- Look at the bright side of the situation.
- Practice gratitude.
- Surround yourself with positive people.
- Start your day with a positive note.
ASU Takes Mental Health Seriously
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PND-V5-Issue-38-190720.pdf
Recent research in the UK surveying 2460 students revealed that 71% of them currently experience or have experienced in the past some form of mental illness including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. The same research has also revealed that 40% of these students prefer to hide their condition and try to deal with it secretly on their own rather than discuss it with a mental health professional. The reason for that, as they have mentioned, is that they would feel “ashamed” if they talked about it. Unfortunately, students want to maintain a public image of being “strong” and “tough”, and they are afraid that talking about mental health issues will make them look “weak” [15].
That’s why ASU is taking this subject very seriously and is actively working on creating a safe environment for the students that is based on mutual trust, where they can feel comfortable coming forward and talking about any mental health challenges they may encounter. In this regard, ASU has a dedicated “Counselling Office” within the “Deanship of Student Affairs” with qualified personnel ready to listen to and answer students’ queries. The Office can even solicit the support of a mental health professional if need be. The University has also been working on educating both its staff and students about this issue by creating more awareness about mental health in the workplace and among students. And because the University is fully aware of the inevitable impact of the Covid-19 crisis, putting more pressure on the students and creating more anxiety for some of them, the University intends to organize more awareness workshops in the near future and considers different types of activities in this regard.
Beyond its own students and campus, the University is also trying to reach out to local communities and partner with relevant bodies and institutions to create more awareness about mental health issues and also to push towards more scientific research about this important topic that unfortunately remains severely under-searched in the Arab world.