Enhancing Mental Health, Counselling, and Wellbeing Support for University Students in Bhutan Erasmus Project

Project Title

Enhancing Mental Health, Counselling, and Wellbeing Support for University Students in Bhutan

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Capacity Building in higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics:

Project Summary

<< Background >>

The colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) aspire to enrich the quality of students’ outcome and behaviour while in college and upon graduation. However, creating an enabling and inclusive environment for students’ development through an effective student support system, in terms of services and facilities, was one of the major challenges faced by the RUB. Therefore, this project was implemented to establish a counselling service centre at each of the nine colleges in the RUB.

<< Objectives >>

The specific objectives of the project were as follows: •Establishing a counselling, wellbeing and mental health support centre at each of the nine colleges of Royal University of Bhutan (RUB). •Capacity building of human resources in the area of counselling, & mental health at RUB .
•Development of a Digital Platform to support Mental Health, Wellbeing and Counseling Services for RUB students.
•Supporting the centres with essential resources to cater services to the students and staff.

<< Implementation >>

In the beginning, the project conducted an initial assessment study. In the next, a training manual was developed and capacity training was launched. Then the project directed the individual colleges to identify a suitable location for the centres and the essential resources were distributed. In addition, a digital platform dedicated to enhance the support services was developed. The project supported in day to day operation of the centres. Finally, a impact study in form BA was conducted.

<< Results >>

As a result of this project a unique model of student support centre at nine colleges of RUB was established. The project trained 27 individuals (three from each college).
 A digital platform was developed. Essential resources for the H&W B centre was distributed. The project published two research articles, two book chapters, and a major Beneficiary Assessment and Impact Evaluation report. The project initiated establishment of new EU project office at RUB and collaborated with nine agencies.

Project Website

http://www.rubstudentservice.com

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 505960 Eur

Project Coordinator

ROYAL UNIVERSITY OF BHUTAN & Country: BT

Project Partners

• VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL
• MAIEUTICA COOPERATIVA DE ENSINO SUPERIOR CRL
• THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM