A group of students in Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management implemented a Service-Learning project in the 2019-2020 academic year.
The students identified as a social problem the lack of attention to the psychological well-being of the population and the stigma related to the problem. In particular, they noted among peers the absence of awareness about the benefits of a psychological pathway and the low economic benefits to access such services.
The students have therefore carried out the project with the following objectives:
– Inform to prevent: start a campaign to raise awareness about psychological well-being (psychological well-being, the figure of the psychologist and what he or she does, related topics)
– Intervene: facilitate access to diagnostic and treatment services.
For awareness-raising activities students have made direct contact with schools. In order to facilitate access to psychological services, students have contacted two institutions in Italy: the Italian Red Cross (CRI) and the Council of the Order of Psychologists (CNOP), in order to establish an agreement between the Parties. The students therefore acted as mediators between the two institutions to activate conventions with psychologists for access to diagnosis and treatment. The project became even more important during the pandemic.
Students practiced skills such as negotiation and conflict management, as well as knowledge and skills acquired in the courses:
– Methods and techniques of organizational communication
– Psychosocial interventions in organizational settings
– Organizational planning