Need to talk?
IE offers a number of services to help any student that may be going through a rough time or simply needs someone to talk to. In an exclusive interview for The Stork, the Director of the Mentoring & Counseling Office, Taiki Kubota, shared information about the services and why they are so important to the wellbeing of the students.
Hello Taiki, before we begin, could you explain which is your role at the counseling office?
I am the Director of the Mentoring & Counseling Office as well as one of the two Head Mentors. As director, I establish and oversee the different initiatives of the department, which include the Mentorship Society and the professional mentoring and counseling services, among others.
So, I understand you oversee the mentoring and counseling services, which brings me to ask you, how important is the mental health of students and how can it affect their student life?
While mental health is of paramount importance to any human being, it is essential in university students. Early adulthood is marked by significant changes in our personal ecosystem, whether it is studying at a university, taking a gap year, or having our first paid job. Also, structurally and functionally, the human brain is still not quite mature, and it is still somewhat susceptible to what we put into our bodies, i.e., alcohol, cigarettes, soft/hard drugs. Additionally, believe or not, the majority of the university students are under a lot of pressure; not only academically, but also socially and personally, where our peers, friends, and the families expect a lot from us. As human beings, whatever we do or say has an emotional response within ourselves and in others. And, in this sense, university students are constantly “playing”, consciously or subconsciously, with a series of risk factors that could potentially turn into an emotional time bomb if we do not take care of our mental or emotional health.
Since most of the IE community is international, which are the main issues students face when studying abroad?
International students experience a double-layered adaptation process: transitioning from high school to university, and adapting to a new (local) culture. In most occasions, students are able to go through the adjustment process more or less smoothly. In some cases, however, the initial ride is not as easy as originally intended, and students may experience a wide variety of negative emotions at different moments. Homesickness, for example, may bring an intense feeling of sadness, loss, or loneliness. Language or cultural barriers, on the other hand, may cause a sense of frustration, isolation, or low self-esteem, among others. To some extent, these are common and expected emotional reactions from anyone who starts a life in a foreign country away from their families.
For students who might need someone to talk to, even about homesickness… which services are offered and how do these services work at IE? Are they paid?
1. One-on-one mentoring sessions with a head mentor: If you have something on your mind that you wish to share with someone who can provide general guidance or tips in an informal but confidential setting. This may also be an option if you are not sure whether you would like to see a psychologist directly. (This is a free service for any student who is currently enrolled at IEU.) Mentoring.IEU@ie.edu
2. Counseling sessions with a clinical psychologist: If you would like to address an emotional difficulty or problem that is seriously affecting certain aspect(s) of your life and you wish to be treated by a professional. (The first 6 sessions are free of charge for any student who is currently enrolled at IEU.) Mentoring.IEU@ie.edu
3. Psychiatric emergency hotline: If you or someone close to you at IEU is experiencing serious distress and do not know how to handle the situation, you may speak to a psychiatrist available at the other end of the line. (This is a free service available 24/7 for any student who is currently enrolled at IEU.) (+34) 619 270 148.
The Mentoring & Counseling Office in Segovia is located on the third floor, formerly room 348. In Madrid, we are located in Pedro de Valdivia, 21, second floor.
And finally, regarding student’s confidentiality with the service, how does IE deal with confidentiality? Are there any limits to it?
IE University takes confidentiality very seriously. For purposes of standard clinical protocol, students who wish to access the free counseling service are asked to sign a personal information release authorization form regarding their consultation, in so far as specific details discussed in the sessions are not divulged freely or without their express consent.
Comments