1 out of 3 who got in touch with the Student Counselling at SiO last year were suffering from emotional problems. This autumn, the Student Counselling will test out a new pilot programme to reduce loneliness.

In 2006, 32 percent of the enquiries to the Student Counselling at The Foundation for Student Life in Oslo (SiO), were labelled emotional problems, such as loneliness, eating disorders, insomnia and personal problems.

In comparison, only 18 per cent of the enquiries were due to long-term illnesses.

Now, the Student Counselling has received 450 000 kroner in order to start up a pilot programme called “Student Network” this coming autumn. Through group conversations, the network is supposed to prevent solitude and isolation among new students.

- We recognise that there is a need for something like this, and feel that this is one area where we can do something. We know that a lot of people end their studies due to loneliness. Perhaps this programme can stop people from dropping out, says head of the social workers at SiO, Anne Karine Lie, who stresses that the programme is still at the development level.

- We know that there is a notable increase in mental sufferings that occurs generally in the population, especially when it comes to depression. This is reflected among the students as well, since young people often are more prone to develop mental sufferings, says Chief psychologist at SiO, Rigmor Morgård.

Blames the culture

Morgård feels that the Norwegian culture is very focused on the individual, and that it is up to each and everyone to choose their own path in life. She explains that the pressure is not only on what to choose, but to choose right.

- At the same time, there is so much in life that we cannot control, and a lot of people end up feeling inadequate. All of this plays a part when someone develops a depression, has low self-esteem or a feeling of worthlessness, says Morgård and adds:

- The way of thinking that arises when you don’t have anyone to talk to, can easily lead to loneliness. That is why having a network is so important when it comes to mental health. Having someone to share these thoughts with can work as a buffer when the problems grows out of hand.

Pioneer programme

”Student Network” is financed by the foundation Helse og Rehabilitering (Health and Rehabilitation), and is supported by the organisation Mental Helse (Mental Health).

- This is a very important subject, and we have never been involved with any similar programmes for students. In that respect, this is a pioneer programme, says Truls S. Bjaaland at Mental Helse.

The programme will have two target areas, one of them group conversations for students, and the other integration of international students.

- A lot of international students express a wish to get to know the culture here, and it is unfortunate that a lot of them only get to spend time with other international students, and leave the country without ever having gotten to know any Norwegians. The “Student Network” is an important part of the internationalisation, Lie adds.