News & Events

Resource Person – Dr Gayan Jayawardhana - MO Psychiatry at Colombo North Teaching Hospital.
General Physician, Visiting lecturer at National Institute of Social Development.

Target group – Undergraduates of the University of Moratuwa

Objectives - It is observed that our undergraduates are increasingly encountering an array of relationship related issues on gender identities, sexual behavior, STDs, unplanned pregnancies .. etc. Current increasing trend in the society on living together and pre-marital sex having reflected in the undergraduate community as well, wherever irresponsibility prevails, has lead to ending up with irreversible disastrous repercussions resulting in absenteeism, poor academic performance, academic dropouts as well as psychiatric imbalances/disorders , addictions and even suicidal ideation/attempts and has drastically increased the need for counselling. To manage these circumstances an awareness session for our undergraduates on “Sexual Well-Being & Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections” was organized by the student Counselling unit, University of Moratuwa.

The session was live streamed via the below link to ensure maximum participation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFKVD3iBTUw

Lecture 2 - Topic : Attending Behavior in Counselling 

Objectives: Attending behavior is a counselling micro skill that assists the counsellor in showing his/her presence physically and psychologically to the counselee by indicating that the counsellor is interested in what the client is explaining and feeling, and that the counsellor respects, understands and empathizes with the client. Continuing attending behavior throughout the counselling process is essential yet it will be useful especially in the beginning of any counselling session to establish rapport with the counselee. This session elaborated on communication strategies/skills associated with attending behavior to be built and used by a counsellor in the counselling co-journey.

Resource Person - Chief Student Counsellor, Dr (Mrs.) A.A.Hettiarachchi
[Vice President of the Sri Lanka Counselling Association (SLCA)- University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Member of the Global Institute of Counselling Professionals (GIOCP), Diploma in Counselling (USjP)]

Lecture 1 - Topic : An interactive session on “ Basics of Counselling" ; for the student counsellors of the University of Moratuwa" 

An interactive discussion session on the 'Basics of Counselling' for the student counsellors was organized by the Student Counselling Unit, University of Moratuwa as detailed below.

The main objective of this session was to assist the team of counsellors to enhance the skills needed to handle the wide range of counselling issues being reported and the increase in the number of students needing counselling due to the unprecedented events that have affected the country as a whole.

Resource Person  - Chief Student Counsellor ,Dr (Mrs) A.A.Hettiarachchi.                                                                    
[Vice President of the Sri Lanka Counselling Association (SLCA)- University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Member of the Global Institute of Counselling Professionals (GIOCP), Diploma in Counselling (USjP)]

Resource Person - Chief Student Counsellor, Dr (Mrs.) A.A.Hettiarachchi
[Vice President of the Sri Lanka Counselling Association (SLCA)- University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Member of the Global Institute of Counselling Professionals, Diploma in Counselling (USjP)]. 

Title - Proposed Guest Lecture series “A ray of hope; Managing Psychological wellbeing and mental health of undergraduates amongst new normal scenario “for Student Counsellors of the University of Moratuwa.

- Collaboratively organized by the Student Counselling Unit and the Staff Development Center of University of Moratuwa.

Background: Maintaining optimal psychological health and well-being is vital for the undergraduates to successfully achieve their academic as well as life goals. However, apart from the usual package of challenges faced by the undergraduates associated with psychological imbalances, numerous other factors have been added to the platter due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The highest rates of youth population with mental disorders like stress, anxiety, depression have been reported at present, locally as well as globally, more than ever before due to the effects of the pandemic. Even though treatments are readily available, a larger percentage of students with such psychological imbalances never seek help from a health professional due to the associated, stigma, discrimination, lack of awareness and negligence. Therefore, it is essential to adopt effective ways of regularly identifying and providing substantial support and guidance for concerned undergraduates in all higher education institutes.

Objectives: To create better awareness on the aforementioned challenges faced by our undergraduates from a psychological perspective, and most importantly generate awareness on the array of psychological imbalances/disorders and possible management/therapy techniques which can be adopted by the University Counsellors. This lecture series is expected to provide up to date knowledge and awareness for the Student Counsellors to provide a more effective service for the undergraduates to maintain healthy mental stability through this pandemic as well as beyond and empower them to achieve their academic and personal goals.

Date and time - Every Friday from 4.30 p.m. – 7.30 p.m. starting from 5th November 2021 for 7 consecutive weeks.

Schedule of lectures - Download.

Link to the Lecture series.

Topic: A ray of hope; Managing Psychological Wellbeing and mental health of undergraduates amongst new normal scenario

https://learn.zoom.us/j/69196286536?pwd=Y2Frb3hqcFhnZWJuVHNUU1B1ZWZnUT09

Meeting ID: 691 9628 6536
Passcode: SC@UoM21

Medium: Sinhala

Date: 23rd June 2021 ( Wednesday)

Time: 10.00 a.m – 12.00 p.m

Presenter: Ms. Esharma Kariyakarawana [ B.A. ( Psychology - UOK), PG Dip (Counselling - UOC), M.A. ( Buddhist Counselling - UOK)]

Senior Psychological counselor, Park Hospital, Colombo 05.
14 years of experience as a Counsellor
Guest lecturer - Sri Lanka Army Resource person in television and radio programs on mental health. Author of the books " Chitra Guruthumee" and "Sathlej".

Awareness programme on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in collaboration with the Health Center and the Student Counselling Unit of University of Moratuwa for the undergraduates of all faculties.
Presenter : Dr. Malathi Pathiraja,
Consultant, STD Clinic, Colombo South Teaching Hospital
Venues : Session for Males - James George Hall
Session for females - Civil Auditorium

Target group : Level 1 and Level 2 undergraduates

Along with the National Drug Prevention Week (24th June - 1st July 2019), an awareness programme was organized by the Student Welfare Division in collaboration with the Student Counselling Unit - University of Moratuwa.
Resource persons from National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.
1. Mr. Aloka Bandara
2. Mr. Pradeep Kumara

Speaker : Professor (Mrs.) Samudra Kathriarachchi
Snr. Professor of Psychiatry, Founder & Former Director of “Manasuwa Piyasa” at Colombo South Teaching Hospital.
Honorary consultant Psychiatrist
Former President of College of Psychiatry