UNICAL: CASSON Visits HOD Mass Comm. Seeks Partnership to Boost Staff, Students' Emotional Support



The Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON), Cross River State Chapter, yesterday visited the Head of Department, Mass Communication, University of Calabar to discuss ways of enhancing counselling for both staff and students of the department and the entire university.

CASSON Delegation With Dr Lawrence Ekwok,HOD Mass Communication



Leading an executive delegation, Dr Bassey Ekeng Effiom, president of CASSON Cross River State Chapter said the visit seeks to inform and synergise with the Department with a view to creating development aspirations of the association that would help students and staff overcome emotional challenges like; mental health, depression and other instabilities associated with the  trying  times in the society.

"Our mainstay is to reduce mental health, anxiety, ensure balanced emotion and also reduce depression because we found out that many students are passing through a lot and the essence is that counsellors are moving round to ameliorate these challenges".


While commending the Vice Chancellor,Prof Florence Obi for putting in several efforts in place to assist students in the area of counselling, the CASSON president said, "we would continue to partner with the VC for more counsellors across the University in view of the times because ounselling is needed among staff, students and the larger society".

In response to the visit, Dr Lawrence Ekwok, the Head of Department, Mass Communication who has also dedicated much of his time to counselling, stressed its importance in preventing severe outcomes such as suicide and poor decision making among students and even staff.
CASSON President Outlining Their Objectives in a presentation to HOD Mass Communication


He highlighted that counselling extends beyond academics as it provides essential guidance for students to overcome personal challenges.

"Some students need guídance because it may not even be a problem of money. Some students that are still teenagers and too young to manage some situations.I will encourage you to partner the University in the area of counselling.

"Counseling in the University is important because a lot of students and even staff need counselling. Most of my time in the University has been devoted to counseling and I counsel students and staff who have some form of challenges .

"I see the value of counselling because it saves people from commiting suicide, it saves people from taking decisions that would have affected their lives negatively. I know the value of counselling and mot only academic counseling, but counselling in all ramification".


Other members of the state delegation include; Dr Mrs Mercy Ekwok Chairperson of CASSON Welfare Committee; Dr Unimna Unimna, State Secretary; Associate Professor Florence Udiandeye, Director of Contact and Mobilisation Committee and Mr Odey Amuchi Public Relations Officer of CASSON in the state.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Prof Okokon to Deliver UNICAL 139th Inaugural Lecture

Image
The University of Calabar is set to host its 139th Inaugural Lecture on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the UNICAL International Conference Centre by 3:00 PM. The lecture, titled "Healthcare for Senior Citizens: Before Death and Beyond the Grave," will be delivered by Professor Ita Bassey Okokon, an esteemed Professor of Family Medicine in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi, will serve as Chairman and Chief Host of the event. Members of the university community, health professionals, and the general public are invited to attend what promises to be a deeply engaging and intellectually stimulating session. See you there!
Read more

Newly Elected Pontiff Makes Maiden Speech,Seeks To Build Bridges

Image
 In his first public address as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics around the world to embrace a mission of unity, dialogue and compassion. Pope Leo XIV Standing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica today, the newly elected pope outlined his vision for a Church that “builds bridges” and fosters open conversation. “We have to seek together to be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges and dialogue,” Pope Leo XIV declared to the cheering crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square. In remarks translated into English, the pope also urged the faithful to show  charity to others and “be in dialogue with love,” and unveiled his commitment to compassion and outreach across the world. Pope Leo XIV’s message signals a desire to strengthen ties both within the Catholic community and with the wider world, setting a tone of openness and reconciliation at the start of his papacy. Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States was  selected as the nex...
Read more

Teenager Commits Suicide Over Poor JAMB Scores

Image
  19-year-old, Opesusi Faith Timilehin, has taken her own life in Ikorodu, Lagos State, after scoring 190 in 2025 UTME. Faith Timilehin took her own life in Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos State on Monday The Deceased Teenager  The teenager, originally from Abeokuta, had been living with her elder sister in Ikorodu. According to family and neighbours, Timilehin was a calm and respectful young woman with high academic hopes. She had applied to study Microbiology and was deeply disappointed by her score of 190, which she considered lower than her 2024 result. “She said her last year’s result was better than this year’s,” a close friend told News Central on the phone. After ingesting a substance known locally as Push Out-a common rodent poison Timilehin reportedly went to her sister’s office and asked for palm oil to ease the pain. Her sister, unaware of what had happened, initially ignored her request. Moments later, she raised an alarm when Timilehin’s condition worsened, attracting ...
Read more