3.3.5 – Does your university as a body provide students with access to mental health support?

The University of El Oued maintains a definitive and institutional commitment to student mental wellbeing by providing comprehensive access to dedicated support services. This support is centralized through the University Psychological Assistance Center (UPAC), which ensures continuous clinical service, counseling, and proactive preventative programming.

Formal Access and Service Delivery

The University of El Oued assures official, accessible, and continuous operation of the mental health support infrastructure throughout the 2024 academic cycle. The UPAC officially announced the commencement of psychological examinations for the 2024/2025 academic season, effective October 15, 2024. This announcement explicitly advertised core services, including consultations, accompaniment/counseling, and specialized training. Located within the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, the center explicitly confirms that its doors are open to all students, emphasizing universal accessibility across the university.

Targeted Preventative and Wellbeing Programs

The university utilizes UPAC to deliver crucial educational and preventative programs focusing on specific psychological and social wellbeing issues, demonstrating a proactive approach to mental health:

• Substance Abuse Prevention: On April 25, 2024, UPAC hosted a major scientific symposium titled, “The Dangers of Drugs and Addiction in Light of Psychological Treatments: A Clinical Reading.” The event’s primary objective was to engage specialists in the methodical fight against addiction. This initiative demonstrated institutional collaboration with crucial external bodies, including the local Anti-Drug Center and the Provincial Security Directorate, confirming a broad, community-wide strategy for mental health intervention and prevention.

• Social Inclusion and Wellbeing: The center actively supports the mental wellbeing of vulnerable student groups. On December 3, 2024, UPAC, in collaboration with the Basmat Amal Club, organized a symposium on the “Quality of University Life for Students with Disabilities.” This activity focuses directly on social inclusion and mitigating mental distress by improving the university experience for these students.

The combination of a functional, accessible clinical center and the delivery of targeted preventative and educational programs confirms that the University of El Oued provides robust, multi-faceted, and ongoing access to mental health support for its entire student body.