Such an essential yet often overlooked question was the basis of the recent program held by the INSIGHT Center of Counselling and Psychological Wellbeing, the Happiness Bootcamp – a three-day mental wellbeing journey bringing together students and faculty in the quest to discover mental health beyond the usual setting of the academic environment.
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
– Aristotle
This ancient wisdom is never more applicable than it is today. Over the past few years, discussions around mental health in institutional settings have progressively moved to the centre of attention. Academic pressure, peer pressure, and career-related stress can become overwhelming burdens for both students and faculty.
According to statistics, 1 out of every 5 college students (20%) reported severe psychological distress in 2024, while 35% and 25% of students reported experiencing anxiety and depression, respectively. The report further stated that about 44% of students displayed symptoms of depression, 37% showed signs of anxiety, and 15% contemplated suicide, marking the highest rate in the survey’s 15-year history.
These figures are not just statistics; they represent the realities of young adults navigating a world filled with academic, social, and personal changes as they step into the earliest stages of adulthood.
The INSIGHT Centre for Counselling and Psychological Wellness is one of the many initiatives at the university that provides support beyond textbooks and classrooms. Instead of functioning only as a crisis-response service that students approach during extreme situations, INSIGHT is designed as a regular support system that creates a psychological safety net and becomes a part of everyday campus life.
The centre is managed by certified psychologists and full-time counsellors who follow evidence-based approaches, including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)
- Client-Centred Therapy (CCT)
These approaches are part of a significant effort to ensure that every student receives access to the tools, techniques, and support systems best suited to their individual needs.
INSIGHT also provides crisis intervention services that deliver emergency support during high-pressure situations while maintaining complete confidentiality, making it a safe and trusted space for students. In addition, students can access counselling services at their fingertips through YourDOST, the online mental wellness partner, which expands reach and accessibility beyond the physical campus.
What’s the Happiness Bootcamp?
INSIGHT is not only a one-on-one counselling process. It also conducts interactive and preventive activities, with the latest being the Happiness Bootcamp held from 9th July to 11th July.
This three-day gathering was not just a feel-good initiative; it was designed around reflection, participation, and psychology. Activities included personality testing and self-help stations such as the Happiness Corner, encouraging participants to pause and reflect on a question that is rarely asked: Are you happy?
Both students and staff participated in sessions that combined psychology with playfulness, creating a balance between learning and engagement. The goal of this initiative was to make conversations around mental health approachable, without making them performative.
The workshops covered areas such as:
- Understanding personality and thinking styles
- Developing awareness of emotional wellness
- Practical tools to recharge the mindset and nurture happiness
Such initiatives are crucial for both short-term and long-term wellbeing, along with personal and professional growth. Mentally healthy individuals are better equipped to succeed academically, develop meaningful connections, and navigate their future careers with resilience.
The approach adopted by Parul University recognises that wellness is not an extravagance but a foundation. Through dedicated support networks and university-wide initiatives, the university integrates mental health into student life, contributing to the development of emotional intelligence and psychological wellbeing.
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