SCD: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Michelle Becker

@Michelle_ib

Students at North-West University (NWU) have certainly heard about Student Counselling and Development (SCD) or THUSO. Still, you may not know the origin story of these services and how they apply to your student life.

NWU’s first student counselling services started in 1978 when the university was still the Potchefstroom University of Christian Higher Education. “The counselling services started as the university grew from just a Theology School to a university with more faculties. The students needed academic and emotional support during their studies. Many of the students at that time had either just completed their compulsory military service or were older students trying to manage studies and families,” said SCD senior manager, Marelize van der Merwe.

This establishment continued to grow to what is now known as SCD and THUSO. THUSO was originally called “Ingryp”, and started in 2010 as part of the Health Care Clinic. They later merged with the SCD and changed their name to THUSO. THUSO provides emotional support, HIV testing and awareness, and a 24-hour emotional crisis line, which can be contacted through the number on the back of student cards.

Van der Merwe shared, “The aim has always been to assist students throughout their studies at the university with academic and emotional support.” She added that in recent years they have been focusing on helping students develop various skills apart from academics, to prepare them for their professional careers. The emotional support services have also grown over the years as the stigma around getting mental health help has lessened.

The initial contact for support can be done online by following this link:
https://forms.gle/AGizLHmm B41DNGpk9

This link provides information on the available services and asks for basic personal information necessary for the SCD to ensure they give you the best possible assistance. Upon filling in and submitting the link, an SCD member will contact you as soon as possible.

Van der Merwe advises that any students struggling with the link should visit one of the buildings for support: Building E14 @ 018 299 1777 or F18 @ 018 299 2893. Alternatively, students can access services by emailing [email protected].

If students cannot access these services for any reason, the SCD also provides information about the higher health initiative. Their 24-hour student and staff mental health helpline can be accessed via toll-free call @ 0800 36 36 36 or SMS @ 43336.