Prioritizing Mental health: Unical’s Holistic Approach to University Life

The University of Calabria (Unical) is taking a significant step towards enhancing the overall well-being of its community with the launch of the “pro-well-comune” project. This initiative, backed by a considerable €2.75 million investment from the Ministry of University and Research (Mur), aims to transform the university experience by prioritizing the psychophysical health of students and staff. The project seeks to create a more supportive and nurturing academic habitat through a combination of research, innovative services, and proactive interventions.

This initiative comes at a crucial time. Recent studies indicate a growing mental health crisis among university students globally. For example, a 2024 study by the World Health Institution found that approximately 20% of university students experience symptoms of anxiety or depression.Unical’s proactive approach addresses this pressing issue head-on.

Collaborative Effort: A Network for Well-being

The “pro-well-comune” project is a collaborative effort involving several universities and institutions, including the A. Scarlatti Music Conservatory of Palermo, the Higher International School of Advanced Studies, and the Universities of Catanzaro, Messina, Palermo, Siena, Trento, Trieste, and Mediterranean. This widespread collaboration underscores the importance of a unified approach to addressing mental health challenges within the academic community.

The core objectives of the project include:

• Strengthening psychological counseling services to provide timely support to a larger number of students.
• Conducting in-depth scientific research on psychological well-being, focusing on identifying risk and protective factors.
• Implementing preventative measures through sports awareness and practices.
• Developing innovative digital tools to improve access to mental health resources and services.

Professors Francesco Craig and Angela Costabile are leading the project, with support from the university’s Research, Innovation, and Social Impact Area (Ariis).

Addressing the Growing Need for Mental Health Support

The demand for psychological support among university students has been steadily increasing, with stress, anxiety, and depression becoming increasingly prevalent. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, leading to increased isolation and uncertainty. At Unical, requests for psychological support surged from 83 in 2020 to 578 in 2024. In response, the university has expanded its Psychological Counseling service, increasing the number of professionals and offering individual sessions, group therapy, and specialized support programs.

The Psychological Counseling service empowers students to develop self-awareness, build resilience, and acquire effective coping strategies.

These free interventions are designed to promote personal and academic well-being for all students.

Extending Support: Baby Pit Stop Initiative

Unical’s commitment to well-being extends beyond mental health, addressing the needs of students facing personal and family challenges. The university has implemented the “Baby Pit Stop” initiative, providing a private and comfortable space for breastfeeding mothers. This service is now mobile,allowing it to be easily set up at various campus events and academic gatherings.

Upcoming Events: Counseling Caffè and More

The “pro-well-comune” project will kick off with the “Counseling Caffè,” a training course starting on March 24th and continuing until May 22nd. These experiential workshops will guide students and staff through a journey of self-discovery, exploring the connection between body, emotions, mind, and space. Topics covered will include self-narration, social perception, and overcoming perfectionism.

In addition to the workshops, the programme includes two complementary paths:

• Sport and Well-being: Meetings dedicated to stress reduction and increased concentration, held every Tuesday and Thursday.
• Yoga and Transpersonal Mindfulness: exploring the physical, emotional, and mental body every Monday.

All events are free and open to the entire academic community. Registration details are available on campus posters, association pages, the Unical Counseling Instagram page, and the official Counseling in Ateneo website.

Conference: Psychology, Sport, and Well-being

On April 7th, Unical will host the conference “Psychology, Sport, and Well-being,” featuring experts, athletes, and professionals discussing resilience, motivation, and the importance of balance between body and mind. The event is sponsored by the Order of Psychologists of Calabria and Cus Cosenza.