PEER COUNSELING VERTICAL – ASK

ASK with its concern for the society at large recognized the acute need of counselling for the young adults. The demanding studies, the judgmental people around, the high expectations from the parents, the physical changes, the emotional baggage, distractions, attractions and so on, shake them to a great extent. Moreover, they tend to over react. We like to counsel them. However, the youngsters do not seek help from us and approach their own peers. So, we have taken up the task of equipping these youngsters to help their fellow students during their disturbing time. We train students to become counsellors. We understand their limitations. But, the statistics say that the Peer Counselling may pacify the students and may even lead them to a counsellor.

Peer Counseling – Workshops

In view of the growing need of Peer Counseling training, on 06/11/2024, Wednesday, an exclusive in-house workshop was conducted to our volunteers at 11am in ASK boardroom. Six volunteers were selected for the workshop. Smt.Usha Rani, the co-ordinator of the Peer Counseling vertical introduced the concept of Peer Counseling and traced the journey of the vertical. Dr.Prema, the project leader, explained the modules in brief. This was followed by a detailed discussion. All the participants were happy about the activity and are ready to visit colleges. On 14/11/24, Thursday, a workshop was conducted for ASK volunteers on Peer Counseling. Sri Uday Shankar introduced the concept of Peer Counseling. Dr.Prema elaborated on the modules. The workshop was concluded by Smt.Usha Rani. On 27/11/2024, Wednesday, from 2pm to 4pm, a workshop on Peer Counseling training was conducted. Eight volunteers attended the workshop. Sri. Uday Shankar introduced the concept of Peer Counseling. Dr.Prema presented the modules. Smt.Usha Rani led the discussion. All the participants were enthusiastic and a constructive interaction was carried out.

Peer Counselling – Awareness

1. On 5th June 2023, Monday, ASK visited Vijaya Degree College, Jayanagar, to bring an awareness on Peer Counselling. About 70 of teaching and non-teaching faculty had assembled in their auditorium. After the formal invocation and lighting of the lamp Mrs. Uma Udayshankar, ASK resource person spoke about ASK in detail from its inception to its Mission, elaborating on its activities. Prof.C.P.Usha Rani, the Head of the Peer Counselling Vertical, explained the concept of Peer Counseling, its need and how ask is willing to train students to become Peer Counselors for free. Prof. Shylaja, the Principal appreciated the selfless service of ASK in her Presidential remarks and agreed for the need of Peer Counsellors. She admired the initiative Ms.Kripa in bringing ASK to the college. The faculty were happy at the initiative. The lay Counsellors of the team Ms.Vijayalalitha, Ms.B.V.Lakshmi, Ms.Roopashri Hegde and Ms.Deepthi were part of the visiting team.
2. On 26-10-2024, Saturday the ASK team visited Horizon College of Engineering. Smt.Vidya spoke to the Principal and the HOD of Counseling on the need of the Counseling to the faculty, the parents and the students. The Principal was impressed and assured a continued interaction with ASK. Sri.Vishnuji addressed more than 100 faculty members of the college explaining the Counselling in general and introduced all our verticals through a PPT. This was followed by Smt.Usha Rani who introduced the concept of Peer Counseling. The Q & A session was interactive. A few of the participants collected our helpline number. A fruitful association is foreseen.

3. A talk was arranged by the Central Library Mangalore for the benefit of the students of Library Science, certificate Course, on 23-11-2024, Wednesday in Mangalore. 65 students from all over the South of Karnataka participated. Sri Uday Shankar, the secretary of ASK spoke about the growing need for mental health awareness among the people. He highlighted the taboo attached about mental health issues and this prevents people from seeking timely professional help. The talk was well received by the participants.

4. The Peer Counseling team Dr.Mythili, Smt.Prathibha and Dr.Prema visited KTSV PU College, Vijayanagar on 29-11- 2024, Friday. They held Peer Counseling awareness session for 135 students. The session started at 12pm with the introduction to Counseling by Smt.Prathibha till 1pm. Post lunch from 1.30pm to 2.30pm Dr.Mythili spoke on adolescent issues followed by role play and case discussion from 2.35pm to 3.45pm by Dr.Prema. The sessions were very interactive and the feedback was excellent. The college has requested a monthly visit from ASK volunteer for follow up.

Peer Counselling – Training

1. ASK Peer Counseling team, Sri Uday Shankar and Smt.C.P.Usha Rani, visited the RV Dental College, Jayanagar, to conduct a Counseling Motivational lectures for I year Dental students on 04/08/22. Two programs on the same day was conducted One program was from Smt.Usha to 70 students. And another program for faculty memebers from Sri.Uday Shankar. The Principal have admired the efforts of ASK and are eager to organize more such useful activities in association with ASK.

2. ASK Peer Counseling team visited SJR College for Women on 12th December 2023, Tuesday. Dr.Prema addressed students from 2pm to 3pm, explaining the concept of Counseling and how students can help needy fellow students. Nearly 500 students listened in rapt attention. Many students have expressed their willingness to undertake the training. Sri.Uday Shankarji addressed faculty as well on the same day from 3.00pm to 3.30pm, need of training students in Counseling and how to identify students for the program. 30 faculty attended the program and response was positive.
3. The Peer Counseling team of ASK, visited Vivekananda College of Education, Puttur, Dakshina Kannada on 20th September 2024 for training the second year BEd students, for 2 days in Peer Counseling. The trainers were Sri.Prashanth.K, Smt.Usha Rani, and Dr.Prema. The nine hours training was attended by 45 students. Smt.Gangamma M.Shastri, the coordinator, representing the management, inaugurated. The students and the management were happy with the training. The Principal Dr.Shobitha Satish expressed a desire for continuous interaction with ASK for their counseling needs.

4.ASK Peer Counseling team, Sri Uday Shankar and Smt.C.P.Usha Rani, visited the Department of Mining Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Surathkal, to conduct a series of Counseling Motivational lectures to II, III and final year B.Tech students and PhD scholars, from 25-09-2024 to 27-09-2024. The positive response of 110 students who attended the Lectures, has led to form a team of 33 Peer Counsellors were addressed by ASK. The HOD, the parents and even the Director have admired the efforts of ASK and are eager to organize more such useful activities in association with ASK.
5. The Peer Counselling team visited Community College of Management Studies, Jayanagar. Smt.C.P.Usha Rani, the Vertical Head of Peer Counseling & Dr.Prema, Project Leader of Peer Counseling from Aapta Salaha Kendra(ASK) conducted LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM as per the request from the executive member and Health Coordinator of All India Women Conference (AIWC) Bangalore, Dr.Kalpana for 150 students. The Program was held on 13/11/2024, Wednesday at the college in the presence of the College Principal Dr.Dharmendra, AIWC President Smt.Amitha Manthana, AIWC Health Corodinator Dr.Kalpana, AIWC Treasurer Satyavathi. The topic included Communication, Leadership, Problem Solving Techniques, Decision Making & Emotional Intelligence. The Program started at 10am with the guest address followed by the talk on Communication Skills by the Smt.C.P.Usha Rani for 25 minutes, this was followed by Dr.Prema. The program ended up successfully for 90 minutes with a positive feedback.
6. The Peer counselling team Smt.Shubha Bhat, Mr. Kaushik, Sri Amit Sharma and Dr.Prema visited New Horizon College of Engineering, Kadubeesanahalli on 05-12-2024, Thursday. They held Peer Counseling training for 40 students. The session started at 10.15am with the introduction to Counseling and Ethics of Counseling by Sri.Amit Sharma and adolescent issues by Shubha Bhat till 12.30pm. Post lunch Mr.Kaushik spoke about adolescent issues till 2.30pm and Peer Counseling and role play were conducted till 3.15pm by Prema. The sessions were interactive, doubts were cleared. They were happy with the session and expressed their gratitude.

7. The Peer Counselling team Dr.Mythili, Dr.Prema & Smt.Prathibha visited Dr.Ambedkar Engineering College, Nagarbhavi on 08/01/2025 Tuesday & 09/01/2025 Wednesday. They held Peer Counselling General Address to 500 students on each day to first Semester Engineering students with 10 each faculty members along with social Coordinator Dr.Nagarathna. On both days, the session started at 3.30pm with the introduction of ASK activities and Counselling by Dr.Mythili for 10 mins. Dr.Prema took over the session for brief introduction and Peer Counselling till 4.30pm. The session was very interactive and students enjoyed the session. The students volunteered for Peer counselling & are eager to take up the Peer Counselling Training.

Seminars to Peer Counsellors

After forming a group of Peer Counsellors in NIT-K, Surathkal, an extended training program was conducted. The first online program session was held on 04/10/2024, Thursday at 6pm. Sri Abhijit, the resource person discussed in detail about cases of infatuation. The students easily for connected and enthusiastically contributed for the discussion. The second session was held on 22/10/2024 at 7pm. Smt.Usha Rani engaged the session. She discussed two cases where the students could easily connect themselves. All the participants actively participated in the discussion.

Contact: cpurani.33@gmail.com