The University of Silesia in Katowice has prepared handbooks for the University employees, intended to increase their competencies in the field of contacts with students. The booklets are to help in the situations when we are worried about a student, as well as to organise the substantive ways to respond in difficult cases, in line with the University regulations. One of the handbooks concerns contacts with students with various mental problems, while the other deals with legal and safety issues.
Their content is universal, so they will prove themselves not only at the University of Silesia, but also at other Polish universities that they are shared with.
The booklet entitled “Contact with people with mental disorders. Handbook for employees of the University of Silesia in Katowice” is a response to difficult situations reported by our staff. Their most frequent source are emotional or psychological problems of a student. Part of the materials were prepared during workshops involving students and specialists in the field of mental health, and the rest was developed as part of work of the interdisciplinary team of University of Silesia employees established specifically for this purpose.
The material includes:
- descriptions of selected mental disorders,
- information on the possible support for students,
- scenario of supporting interview with a student whose behaviour may indicate psychological problems or other personal issues,
- report on mental health condition of students of the University of Silesia in Katowice.
The booklet entitled “Difficult situations in relations with students. Rules of conduct and interview scenarios” is a result of a 2-year project, which involved studies in this field and work of interdisciplinary teams composed of research and administration employees of the University and students.
The material includes:
- information on proceeding and responding in various difficult situations,
- summary of the results of surveys conducted among the students and staff of the University of Silesia,
- instructions and scenarios for interviews with students.
The booklets have been published on www.us.edu.pl/pracownik/poradniki.
Statement from Prof. Ewa Jarosz, Vice-Rector for Staff Development, on the prepared booklets – video recording:
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