University of Balamand - Results out for student coping program

From -http://www.dailystar.com.lb/ University of Balamand 

BEIRUT: The results of a school program aimed to teach students skills to “help them face stressful situations and the pressure of daily life” were presented during a conference Wednesday at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Balamand in Ashrafieh.

The E.U.-funded project was implemented in collaboration with the Institute for Development Research Advocacy and Applied Care and the department of psychiatry and clinical psychology at Saint George University’s medical center.

About 1,300 students participated in the project at 17 public and private schools over nearly four months.

The “School Program for Building Resilience and Coping,” whose slogan is “be strong,” sought to “improve the mental health of students in schools and strengthen the capacity of teachers to ensure better psychological support for their students, and to spread awareness regarding [the] mental health of children and adolescents with their families,” a press release issued by IDRAAC said.

IDRAAC’s director, Elie Karam, said the program’s slogan referred to “inner attitude” and not physical strength: “being strong to adapt and cope with different types of stress.”

According to the results of the program, the project strengthened the relationships between teachers and students, “thus improving their attitudes, motivation, concentration and academic performance.”

The general coordinator for Educational Guidance at the Education Ministry Mona Tawi stressed the importance of the project and added that the ministry was studying the possibility to extend the program to all schools. 

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Nov-17/154339-results-out-for-student-coping-program.ashx#ixzz1dysDFbJc 

(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)