Aimed at sharing experiences and explore appropriate intervention strategies to curb the scourge of drug and substance abuse as well as mental health problems faced by students and staff members in colleges and universities, counsellors across higher and tertiary education institutions convened at Midlands State University’s Gweru Main Campus for a two-day workshop from the 4th to the 5th of September 2024.
Held under the theme, “Collaboration, Innovation and Research: Key to Effective Service Delivery,” the two-day workshop provided an invaluable opportunity for participants to deliberate and come up with the best coping mechanisms of substance and drug abuse among students and staff members.
Whilst giving her welcome remarks, Executive Dean – Student Affairs, Ms. F. Chakauya applauded counsellors for their commitment to student welfare by convening to share best experiences of coping with various problems related to substance abuse and mental health problems faced by students at college and universities.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of MSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa; Pro-Vice Chancellor-Research, Innovation and Industrialisation, Professor G. Mugumbate said that the workshop was an opportunity for knowledge exchange among counsellors.
“This workshop is an opportunity for counsellors to engage, share experiences and explore the appropriate intervention strategies to challenges faced by students and staff,” said Professor Mugumbate.
In the face of the socio-economic environment in the country and the region that exposes people to mental health challenges, Professor Mugumbate underscored that, “Professional counsellors are expected to show empathy, acceptance, love and care in order to create exclusive client-counsellor relationships that are safe and secure”.
Professor Mugumbate buttressed the need for counsellors to incorporate research for them to make informed policy decisions with regard to fighting drug and substance abuse and other mental health problems.
The keynote address was succeded by presentations from counsellors – each focusing on different aspects of challenges faced by students ranging from drug and substance abuse, student mental health, intervention strategies, causes of suicide, its signs, symptoms and support mechanisms to sexual reproductive health issues.
Collaborative workshops are essential in providing an invaluable opportunity for institutions of higher learning to engage, share experiences and exchange knowledge for effective service delivery.
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