The Student Counseling Center at the University of Mostar is once again organizing workshops for primary school students, high school students, and university students this year, aiming to help them cope with mental health challenges, interpersonal relationships, and the specific issues arising from daily social media use. Prof. Dr. Kristina Sesar, the head of the Counseling Center, emphasizes that the workshop topics are designed to be relevant to the developmental stages of students:
"Violent behavior patterns among young people, how social media activities affect body image, how to study better and more effectively, who am I, etc., are topics that are present in their everyday lives and influence their daily existence, while also shaping their development," says Prof. Sesar.
She highlights that these topics are crucial as they shape behavior and mental health: "By empowering them through education, support, and a safe space for expression and discussion, we help them cope better with challenges and develop emotional resilience that will benefit them throughout their lives."
Master's students in Psychology who conducted the workshops used various interactive methods to maintain the attention and motivation of the students.
"Workshops for primary and secondary school students are designed to capture their attention and motivation, as well as to facilitate learning in a fun and interactive way. Some of the approaches used by students included: experiential and game-based methods, interactivity and participation, short and dynamic activities, group work and collaboration, and diversity in methods. Each method has its advantages."
Additionally, the workshops addressed mental health issues in the context of digital life and how social media impacts the emotional state of young people:
"Workshops play a significant role in understanding mental health and interpersonal challenges, particularly in the context of social media. To achieve this goal, the workshops are designed to provide a safe and open environment where students can educate themselves, discuss, reflect, and develop coping skills for the challenges posed by the digital world. Moreover, the workshops helped students understand how activities on social media can affect mental health, including self-esteem, emotional difficulties, cyberbullying, and more," adds Prof. Sesar.
Through discussions and practical tasks, students developed skills to cope with negative emotional reactions triggered by digital content. Prof. Sesar explains:
"Through activities in which students reflect on their emotional reactions to various situations in the digital environment (e.g., receiving negative comments, comparing themselves to influencers), the workshops help students develop emotional intelligence. This way, they can better understand how social media affects their feelings and how to manage them. Furthermore, workshop participants are better equipped to recognize online violence, whether it is threats, the spread of false information, or exclusion from online group activities. Students learned how to recognize such situations, how to deal with them, and, if necessary, how and when to turn to adults for help."
The students' reactions were very positive, and Prof. Sesar notes that they actively participated in the discussions. Due to the highly positive feedback, the Student Counseling Center plans to continue the workshops in primary and secondary schools, with increasing interest in them.
"The positive reactions from students, school staff, and school leaders have led to a growing interest from schools where we have not yet conducted workshops. Currently, we have inquiries from several schools in the Mostar area and the West Herzegovina County about conducting thematic workshops in schools. We are happy that our activities have been recognized by the professional teams of schools, and that our students have demonstrated exceptional knowledge and skills in various stages of conducting the workshops," she adds.
Recently, the spatial conditions of the Counseling Center have been improved, and the new environment plays an important role in creating a safe and comfortable space for discussions.
"At the beginning of the academic year, the Student Counseling Center’s premises were renovated. We are extremely grateful to the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Prof. Dr. Dražen Barbarić, and the Vice Dean, Prof. Dr. Marko Odak, for their understanding of the importance of student mental health and their support in the realization of the center's space arrangement, as well as to everyone else who supported this project. Creating a space in which a person feels safe, relaxed, and respected can significantly improve the quality of conversations, allowing for deeper understanding, better emotional connection, and a more effective support process. In addition to the space, our counselors and volunteers play an essential role. Their contribution to the counseling center is invaluable, and we are immensely grateful for their engagement," emphasizes Prof. Sesar.
Mental health care is crucial for everyone, including students. Students face numerous challenges such as stress, anxiety, academic pressures, interpersonal issues, and other personal difficulties. While many students feel discomfort or embarrassment at the thought of seeking professional help, it is important to understand that this is a step toward personal health and a better future. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength!
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