COUNSELLING CENTER AT SJCC

Sixteen orientation sessions were conducted for UG and PG students at the beginning of the academic year, introducing counselling services, confidentiality norms, and help-seeking processes. 11 orientation sessions were conducted for students between 10 and 28 June 2025. In addition, a 90-minute briefing and orientation session was conducted for newly inducted staff members on 21 May 2025 to familiarise them with the Counselling Cell’s activities. The session included basic psychoeducation on common mental health concerns among students and clarified the role of faculty as mentors and first responders in supporting student well-being.

In collaboration with the Anti-Ragging Cell and Student Council, a week-long campaign titled “Fairness is for Everyone: Say No to Ragging” was conducted from 12 to 18 August 2025. Activities included poster-making, digital slogan displays, and an Anti-Ragging Pledge. The initiative reinforced accountability, empathy, and the importance of maintaining a respectful campus culture.

Campus Ministry conducts Annual Retreat for Catholic Students. For Non-Catholic Students, the programme is called ‘Reflection Day’. This academic year, Reflection Day sessions were organised for UG, PG, and Honors students on 31 May and 21 June to promote self-awareness and emotional grounding. Activities included guided meditation, collage-making, gratitude writing, and small-group discussions. The programme helped students manage stress, deepen peer connections, and reflect meaningfully on their academic and personal journey.

All first-year students (approximately 1100) completed a mandatory 2-credit course on Psychological Well-Being. The course covered emotions, boundaries, personality, motivation, and stress management through reflective and skill-based activities. The programme enhanced students’ emotional awareness and coping skills during their transition into college life.

A workshop was conducted on 1 September 2025 for postgraduate students, introducing them to psychometric assessments used in corporate recruitment. Students undertook a personality assessment followed by a discussion. The session improved career readiness and awareness of professional evaluation frameworks.

Multiple leadership workshops were conducted in July and September for student council members and association coordinators, focusing on emotional intelligence, communication, and active listening. These sessions strengthened leadership competencies and interpersonal effectiveness among student representatives.

The Gender Sensitisation & Inclusive Classroom Initiative programme are conducted to create a gender-sensitive and inclusive classrooms by addressing boundaries, consent, respectful communication, and professional conduct. This year the programme was conducted in collaboration with the Student Welfare Office from 1 to 24 February 2026. A total of 48 sessions were planned for UG and PG students, of which 15 sessions have been completed so far, facilitated by two external resource persons. The initiative aims to foster psychological safety, mutual respect, and responsible student engagement across campus.

Students accessed confidential one-on-one counselling sessions through a structured appointment system. Concerns addressed included academic stress, adjustment issues, anxiety, grief, trauma, and self-esteem challenges. These sessions provided a safe space for emotional processing and resilience-building. A total of 379 students accessed counselling services during this period. The team provided 1,435 individual counselling sessions, offering personalised psychological support and guidance to students based on their needs. In addition to this, 152 individual screening sessions were conducted for PG students, as part of the structured screening process to assess student wellbeing and identify those who may benefit from further counselling support.

Small-group counselling sessions were conducted for first-year students to facilitate peer support and self-discovery. The initiative created opportunities for shared reflection, normalised common transition concerns, and strengthened rapport between students and counsellors. During the academic year 2025–26, the counselling team conducted a total of 234 group counselling sessions addressing various student concerns including emotional wellbeing, adjustment issues, and interpersonal challenges.

Kairos sessions were conducted for final-year UG and PG students from 14 February to 21 February, 2026 to facilitate reflection and closure before graduation. Through guided meditation, peer appreciation, and gratitude exercises, students revisited their academic journey and expressed appreciation. The initiative fostered emotional closure and a sense of community among the graduating cohort. A total of 17 sessions were conducted.

The Counselling Cell actively contributed to SAMAGRA initiatives aimed at strengthening mental health services. Activities included awareness campaigns, orientation sessions, and collaborative discussions to enhance support systems. These efforts improved accessibility and integration of wellness services across campus.

The Counselling cell conducts Faculty gratitude sessions at the end of each semester. This is designed to help the staff and faculty members consolidate their reflections from the semester and connect before the holidays. The counselling cell focuses on tailoring activities with different themes each year to engage the faculty and acknowledge the work that they have done. The theme for the event semester of academic year 2024-25 was ‘Forgiveness and Letting Go’ and for the odd semester of academic year 202-26 was ‘Emotional Expression’.

Swasthya 2025, a National-Level Mental Health Workshop on Mental Health and Spirituality among Youth, was organised at St. Joseph’s College of Commerce (Autonomous), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Karnataka Jesuit Higher Education Commission (KJHEC), St. Joseph’s University, and St. Aloysius (Deemed-to-be University), on 11 and 12 December 2025. The aim of the workshop was rooted in a holistic understanding of wellbeing and sought to create a collaborative platform for students, faculty, mental health professionals, and the larger public to engage in meaningful dialogue around mental health.

Swasthya, derived from Sanskrit, holds a deeper meaning. It translates to “being established in one’s self,” encompassing a state of holistic wellbeing. Young adults today are navigating increasingly complex pressures, and amid these challenges, the concept and practice of spirituality have often receded into the background. Swasthya sought to reintroduce spirituality through a reflective, engaging, and contemporary lens, positioning it as a meaningful resource for mental wellbeing.

The purpose of the event was two-fold: to create awareness about mental health and spiritual wellbeing within the larger community, and to train the trainers—faculty members, mental health professionals, aspiring educators, and collaborators—who play a crucial role in shaping and supporting young minds.

As a precursor to the event, the Department of Counselling and Psychology at St. Joseph’s College of Commerce organised multiple engaging “Mental Health Mini-Station Activities” over the span of a week. These included a self-care wheel, affirmations, community music playlists, and other interactive elements aimed at spreading awareness about mental health and reducing stigma through small, actionable steps.
The two-day workshop featured a series of experiential and academic sessions addressing current mental health concerns among youth, including stress, anxiety, overall mental wellbeing, and generational perspectives on mental health language. Approximately 150 participants from over 20 colleges across India took part in this first-of-its-kind mental health initiative. Rev. Dr. Melwin Pinto SJ, Secretary to the Karnataka Jesuit Higher Education Commission and Chief Guest for the inaugural session, remarked that “just as the body experiences ailments, the mind too can experience illness due to the stressful times we live in.” Br. Mani Karott, Art Therapist and Counsellor, was the Guest of Honour, and Rev. Dr. Charles Lasrado SJ, Principal of St.Joseph’s College of Commerce, was also present for the ceremony.

The first day of the workshop included a blend of experiential and academically engaging sessions such as Art Therapy, Zumba, a Pottery Session, and a Panel Discussion on the Generational Divide in Mental Health Language. The panel explored how Gen Z, Millennials, and older generations use—and at times misuse—the language of therapy. The Digital Wellbeing: Plug in Mindfully”, a Workshop conducted by Mr. Syed Yassen, a clinical psychologist, highlighted responsible technology use and emphasised the need to limit digital dependency. Ms. Sneha Menon, Convenor of Swasthya, Student Counsellor, and Psychology Teacher, noted that “the national-level workshop series aims to offer experiential, creative, and approachable forms of healing that allow individuals to pause and build self-awareness, making life slightly more manageable to navigate.”

The second day of the workshop featured sessions on Dance and Movement Therapy and Sound Healing for Inner Calm, inviting participants to experience alternative forms of healing.

A major highlight of the workshop was ANIMUM, India’s first national short film festival dedicated to mental health and wellbeing. Following a preliminary screening process, ten films were selected for the final round. Animum 2025, a national-level short film festival, showcased ten shortlisted films at the Loyola Auditorium under the theme “From Silence to Strength.” The festival highlighted student filmmakers and brought forward young voices that engaged thoughtfully and courageously with narratives of emotion, struggle, and healing. The films were evaluated by an esteemed panel comprising Dr. Ajith Bhide, psychiatrist; Ms. Gouthami Nair, actress; and Mr. Naveen Joseph, director, whose insights enriched the event and encouraged emerging talent. The shortlisted films included Birds of the Air, Dhwani, Mugam, Silent Scream, My Invisible Friend, Remote, Porukalam, Who Let the Dogs Out?, Something Real, and Kai Raasi. Among these, Mugam was awarded Best Film in the student category, while Remote secured the position of runner-up. Special recognitions were also presented, with Dhwani receiving the award for Best Concept, Kai Raasi for Best Cinematography, and the Jury’s Choice award conferred upon Who Let the Dogs Out?.

The workshop concluded with a Valedictory and Prize Distribution Ceremony, acknowledging participants, facilitators, and jury members for their contributions. Overall, the event emerged as a meaningful initiative toward destigmatising conversations around mental health and promoting holistic wellness among youth and professionals alike, while also revisiting the role of spirituality in everyday life.