The Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD), at Stellenbosch University (SU), is currently experiencing the after effects of mental health issues due to the Covid-lockdown. This is according to Elmarie Kruger, senior psychologist at the CSCD. The CSCD is therefore experiencing an ongoing trend of students needing urgent interventions regarding severe mental health issues, explained Kruger.
Two final-year OT students at Stellenbosch University (SU) have been placed at the CSCD, in February this year, after an increase in students needing assistance with their mental health. This is according to Kruger.
“As a result [of the influx], we had to determine what other treatment modalities and professions could assist CSCD in serving the needs of the changing student population,” said Kruger. This placement is one of the measures taken by the CSCD to address the increase in demand for their services, Kruger added.
The Centre for Student Counselling and Development form part of the Division of Student Affairs and is located at 45 Victoria Street, Stellenbosch PHOTO: Liza-May Pieters
The purpose of this initiative
OT students “will be providing individual occupational therapy services to a small number of students referred to them by staff at the CSCD”, said Prof Nicola Plastow, associate professor in occupational therapy at SU.
The OT students will develop programs, based on their analysis of the occupational needs of the students who use the CSCD’s services, says Plastow. These programs will assist the students who are in need for these services, which means that they will get help earlier, Plastow continues.
The hope for this initiative is that it will “prevent students from being in crisis, and will support the services of the CSCD”, Plastow added.
Saskia Sonnerer (left) and Fiona Smith (right) are both final-year students in occupational therapy at Stellenbosch University. They are working at the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) for six weeks as part of their clinical training. PHOTO: Liza-May Pieters
From the OT students themselves
“It has been amazing to see the mental health platform expand in recent years but also disheartening to acknowledge that many students who seek help, struggle to access it,” said Saskia Sonnerer, a fourth year OT student at SU, and one of the students who have been placed at the CSCD.
“Being able to offer occupational therapy services at CSCD helps us to extend the opportunity for mental health services within the SU platform in an interactive and activity-based way,” added Sonnerer.
The Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) also has partnerships with other programs that offer professional Masters degrees within supporting professions, such as psychology, theology and industrial psychology. These students also assist the CSCD, according to Elmarie Kruger, senior psychologist at the CSCD. PHOTO: Liza-May Pieters
Students at Stellenbosch University can contact the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) if they are in need of mental health assistance. According to a document, sent out to all students, the CSCD is in partnership with ER24, where students can get 24-hour access to trauma support. GRAPHIC: Liza-May Pieters