Our mission is to address the mental health needs of the IISERB community. While most of our work involves one-to-one or group counseling with students, we are also involved in consultation, outreach, training, and other activities to strengthen IISER Bhopal as an institution dedicated towards learningi, personal, and community development. Through counseling and other activities of the department, we strive to assist students in identifying, understanding, and solving problems. Each year more than 200 students seek assistance at Student Well being Centre (SWBC) for a wide variety of problems and concerns. Typical reasons for seeking counseling include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, family issues, adjustment difficulties, and relationship conflicts. Students are seen for short term counseling by the therapists in our staff. If the issues the student brings cannot be adequately addressed in our brief therapy model, we assist the student in finding an appropriate referral resource.
Confidentiality is the key to our services. You have a legal right to privacy and can expect your contact with us to be kept private.
Adjusting to a new environment and moving away from home could raise concerns like homesickness, living with roommates, peer pressure, social acceptance, dealing with parents or even shaping your career. These issues at times cause stress and anxiety, ranging from mild to an uncomfortable feeling, you may definitely need help to reach a manageable level to empower yourself, to have control in testing situations.
1) WHAT IS COUNSELING?
Counseling is not all about giving advice. It is quite different from the general opinion held by people. Going for a counseling session in no way indicates that you are helpless or incapable of solving your problems. By talking about your problems or concerns with a counsellor you will deepen your understanding of your problem and develop the means to deal with them.
2) WHAT DO I SAY? WHAT WILL THE COUNSELLOR THINK OF ME?
It doesn't really matter how you present your problem. You can say whatever you like. The counsellor will help you explore the matter and will keep referring to you to clarify his/her understanding.
3) WHAT IF I STILL FEEL ASHAMED OF MY PROBLEMS? IF I HAVE HAD COUNSELING, DOES IT GO ON MY RECORD?
Counsellors do accept that it is natural to want to appear successful and that most of us feel some shame when we have problems and so don't want to advertise our difficulties. This is one of the reasons we place a great emphasis on confidentiality. The centre makes appropriate referrals when professional assistance can no longer be fruitful. Protects the confidentiality and releases personal data only according to prescribed laws or institute polices. The information shared and records maintained are kept safe and confidential, unless such disclosure is necessary to protect you or another person.
4) WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE GOES FOR COUNSELING?
All sorts of people go for counseling and this does not mean that they are "mad" or "weak". On the contrary, people who do come for counseling are showing a willingness to deal with their problems rather than running away from them.
5) IS SEEKING COUNSELLING ONLY FOR THE MENTALLY ILL OR A SIGN OF WEAKNESS?
Counselling is a positive step towards dealing with negative emotions and feelings. It takes strength, courage to recognise one's limitation, and tap on resources to resolve an issue that might otherwise adversely affect one's quality of life. Counselling is a powerful source of help in the right direction. It is perfectly normal and acceptable to seek professional counselling, even for people without mental conditions.
Student Counsellor is a mental health professional who is experienced in providing objective listening and perspectives on nearly any issue that may be of concern to you.
It is important that face-to-face discussions take place between the Student Counsellor and the student as counselling is a collaborative effort that involves in-depth discussion of the issues, thoughts, and feelings as well as exploration of options. In instances where students prefer an anonymous setting, we may refer them to alternative community resources that are currently available.
6) WHEN SHOULD I SEEK COUNSELLING?
It is important to recognize when you are having difficulties and seek help as soon as possible. If you have a hard time performing your usual daily routine, adjusting to changes you have recently experienced or something has been bothering you for a while, it is probably good to see someone. Often, talking to a trained professional help us.
7) DO I NEED TO HAVE A SERIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEM TO VISIT THE COUNSELLOR?
No. Counselling can be carried out to help you solve any of your problems. Visiting a counsellor does not mean that you are in a state of mental illness. Counsellors are normally non-medical personnel who work by talking and encouraging you to find your own solutions. Counsellors can, however, recognize the symptoms of severe mental distress and may suggest you consider medical help if this is appropriate.
8) ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT ANOTHER STUDENT AND NOT SURE WHAT TO DO?
It can be extremely stressful and anxiety provoking if you are worried about another student's welfare, particularly if their behaviour is putting themselves or others at risk. You can talk to the Student Wellbeing Team or another member of staff without giving specific information about a fellow student. You don't have to give their name if you don't feel comfortable.
The following is a description of what constitutes ragging as per the Raghavan Committee recommendation to the Supreme Court: Ragging is as any act which violates the dignity of the individual student or is perceived to violate his/her dignity. Ragging is a cognizable, non-bailable, non compoundable offence with punishment ranging from one year imprisonment and fine upto 7 years rigorous imprisonment and fine.
Broadly ragging can be categorized in the following way for which various term of punishment are prescribed
For further information, please read attached document on AICTE regulations Antiragging Committee And SQUAD
The institute AntiRagging Committee(as per April 02, 2014) consists of
The committee will oversee the implementation of the provisions of the verdict and the Govt. of India guidelines in this regard from time to time.
The Supreme Court Guidelines Define Sexual Harassment to Include
Often such behaviour goes unpunished because of hesitation on the part of victim to report such behaviour out of a sense of shame or fear or both. It is important to protest against any behaviour that they feel is unwanted and unacceptable. The Complaint Cell at IISER Bhopal has been set up with the aim of providing a platform to complain about any unwelcome behaviour.
IISER Bhopal is a residential institute and requires that all the students registered for a degree programme in the institute reside on campus. The students are also provided a mess and other necessary facilities. At present, the Institute has 6 hostels; Girls Hostel: Hostel-2 & Hostel-3, Boys Hostel: Hostel-1, Hostel-5 & Hostel-7, Mess Facility: Dining Hall-1, Dining Hall-2, Dining Hall-3 & Dining Hall-4.
The following rules need to be followed in all IISER Bhopal hostels in addition to the Rules of Conduct listed in the UG Manual. Necessary action will be initiated against those who are found in violation of any of these rules.
Days:- Mon, Fri & Fourth Sat
Timing:- 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
& 9:45 AM to 2:00 PM on Fourth Sat
Days:- Tue, Thr & First Sat
Timing:- 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
& 9:45 AM to 2:00 PM on First Sat
Copyright © 2016 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal. All rights reserved.
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