By Yaye Yusuf
On February 10-12, the Counseling Center held its Open Week, bringing together students, faculty, and staff for three days of engagement, awareness, and meaningful conversations around mental health and well-being. The event featured various activities designed to promote self-awareness and emotional wellness. Students participated in art therapy, board games, personality and relationship tests, and interactive stress-relief exercises, such as deep breathing, relaxation techniques, meditation, and creative art sessions. A special Valentine’s-themed toolkit added a fun and reflective element to the week, offering love language tests, love attitude assessments, and interactive couple and singles’ activities that encouraged healthy relationship conversations.
The highlight of the week was an open panel discussion, held on Thursday, focusing on men’s mental health. This is a topic that continues to require intentional conversation and safe spaces within university communities. The discussion provided professional perspectives on the emotional and psychological challenges men face, particularly within societal expectations that often discourage vulnerability. Panelists shared candid experiences, challenged harmful stereotypes, and emphasized the importance of seeking support. The conversation encouraged male students to normalize therapy, speak openly about emotional struggles, and build supportive networks. The audience engagement demonstrated a strong interest in shifting campus culture toward one that embraces emotional honesty and mental well-being for all.
In line with promoting responsible and informed decision-making around relationships, Kiss products were also present on campus during the week. The newly introduced Kiss Black condoms were showcased as part of Valentine’s awareness initiatives, alongside other Kiss condom products. These were made available to students to encourage safe sexual practices. The presence of these products complemented the Counseling Center’s broader message of holistic well-being; emotional, relational, and physical health all go hand in hand.
The event concluded with the official launch of the Counseling Policy, reaffirming the university’s commitment to strengthening mental health support systems, ensuring confidentiality, accessibility, and professional standards in counseling services. The new policy sets a clear framework for service delivery and underscores USIU-Africa’s dedication to creating a supportive and responsive environment for students’ mental health needs.
Open Week not only provided interactive activities but also reinforced a powerful message: mental health matters, and support is available. Through dialogue, policy advancement, and student engagement, the Counseling Center continues to foster a culture of care, inclusion, and psychological safety across campus. Students are encouraged to take advantage of counseling services and continue the conversations started during Open Week.
