By Humairaa Mayet
Edited by Randy Tsubane
Tumultuous and turbulent, university is an incredibly difficult and harrowing experience for thousands of South Africans and can take a toll on one’s mental health. Universities often have structures in place which assist students as they go about their journey.
Photo: Wits GEO
Trigger Warning: Gender-based violence and rape.
The university experience, although thrilling and fascinating, can result in the development of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, due to the state of flux that students find themselves in. Universities often have structures in place to assist students and help them cope when they come face-to-face with the mental effects of the trials and tribulations of university life.
University life accompanies many visits to numerous offices. Whether it be the Fees Office, the Exams and Graduation Office, or the relevant faculty office, students often find themselves staring down the barrel of university bureaucracy. Most, if not all, of these visits are mandatory in nature.
Although students are aware of structures in place on campus, which aim to assist them with issues of mental health, many do not make use of these for a variety of reasons.
The primary objective of university structures are to assist students with any difficulties they may face, particularly those which affect their mental wellbeing. These can range from trouble at home, to anxiety surrounding academic performance.
At the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, the Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU) “provides a welcoming and safe space to students, based on an ethos of student-centeredness and holistic learning,” said Shameen Naidu, therapy services team leader. A majority of the universities around the country have similar structures in place, all of which have similar, if not the same, mission and vision.
Offices that aim to assist students with their mental health offer a variety of help, treatment options, and strive to cater to students of all races, classes, and gender. University can indeed be a difficult time and many students are in need of career guidance as well as direction. University psychologists are often familiar with the curricula of courses and modules, as well as the propensity for employment. Psychologists on campus equip students with study skills, advice on their chosen career path, and tips on employability.
Photo: Wits CCDU
Over and above career guidance, the CCDU and other similar structures assist students with any problems they face, which may require the attention of a psychologist to ensure the holistic mental wellbeing of all who attend the university. Not only do these psychologists focus on academic stress, but they also assist students with everything they can, from HIV education and support to life coaching, to personal counselling.
Should students encounter any difficulties and strife, either on or off-campus, these offices should be approached for any assistance required, particularly assistance of a psychological nature.
In its entirety, university can be an isolatory experience - just know that it does not have to feel this way all the time. There are systems in place to assist you as you go about working toward your degree, systems which seek to help you with anything you need. Over and above a support system of family and friends, the university has measures in place to appease your mental health struggles.
Undoubtedly, women have a more difficult university experience than their male counterparts as a result of the systemic and institutionalised discrimination they face, as well as the high incidences of gender-based violence, rape, and misogyny on campus.
Many of the problems faced by women at universities have resounding effects on their mental health; this can affect both their social lives and their academic performance. At the University of the Witwatersrand, the Gender Equity Office (GEO) seeks to assist students who have been subjected to any form of gender-based violence, be it on campus, or elsewhere.
Other universities around the country have similar structures which seek to mitigate the harm of women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Photo: Wits GEO
Director of the Wits GEO, Charlene Beukes, holds an LLB and LLM from Wits. Beukes explained that “the GEO was established as a holistic approach to dealing with gender-based violence on the Wits’ campus. The office provides psychosocial and legal support while also focusing on advocacy, education programmes, and material for the Wits community.”
Like at other universities, the GEO works in collaboration with the CCDU at Wits. This allows for students to receive the help they need from relevant trained professionals. Women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are provided with a safe space on campus in the form of the GEO, all of which to assist them with whatever it is that they may need.
Trauma and gender-based violence can have long-term effects on the mental health of survivors. From rape to abuse, discrimination and catcalling, the trauma of these incidents remain with the survivor until help is sought.
Ultimately, while university campuses can be sites of growth and adventure, they also exist as sites of trauma and difficulty. This does not have to be experienced alone - there are structures in place to assist students.
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