3.3.5

Our Commitment to Student Mental Health and Well-Being

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) recognises that mental health and psychological wellbeing are essential to academic success, personal development and a positive university experience.

Students may experience challenges associated with academic pressures, personal relationships, life transitions, emotional distress and adjustment to new environments. Providing accessible support is an important part of enabling students to participate fully in university life.

CUD promotes good mental health through free, confidential personal counselling services, professional guidance, student support programmes, mental health awareness initiatives and referral arrangements for students requiring additional care.

The University's approach combines individual counselling with wider wellbeing promotion, preventive education, personal development and support for students with different psychological and learning needs.

These provisions form part of CUD's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Good Health and Well-Being.

1. Free Mental Health and Personal Counselling Services

1.1 Dedicated Student Counselling Service

Canadian University Dubai provides students with access to professional personal counselling through its Student Affairs support services.

The University employs a dedicated Student Counsellor who provides individual assistance with psychological, emotional, personal, social and academic concerns.

The counselling service is available free of charge to CUD students, reducing financial barriers to obtaining initial mental health support.

CUD's counselling framework provides a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment in which students can discuss difficulties affecting their wellbeing.

The service is designed to help students understand their concerns, develop coping strategies, improve resilience and make informed decisions about their personal and academic lives.

1.2 Mental Health Concerns Supported

The University's publicly documented counselling services address a wide range of concerns, including:

• Stress and academic pressure.
• Anxiety and emotional distress.
• Depression and low mood.
• Perfectionism.
• Anger and emotional regulation.
• Low self-esteem and self-efficacy.
• Loneliness and social isolation.
• Grief and loss.
• Healthy relationships and interpersonal difficulties.
• Life transitions and adjustment.
• Eating disorders.
• Time management and motivation.
• Minority concerns.
• Personal difficulties affecting mental health and wellbeing.

These areas demonstrate that CUD's counselling service supports students with both mental health concerns and wider circumstances that may affect psychological wellbeing.

1.3 Individualised Professional Support

CUD's counselling approach is tailored to individual student needs.

The Student Counsellor has professional training and experience and considers students' personal circumstances, learning requirements and cultural backgrounds.

The service is intended to help students identify challenges and develop appropriate approaches to managing them.

Counselling is conducted on an individual basis, ensuring that each student can receive guidance appropriate to their situation.

2. Accessing Mental Health Support

2.1 Counselling Appointment Process

Students can request personal counselling through CUD's Student Counsellor.

The University's published counselling information describes an initial intake session or evaluation lasting approximately 20 minutes.

During the initial discussion, the counsellor works with the student to understand the concerns involved and identify appropriate support.

Further sessions may be arranged when needed, based on the nature of the student's circumstances.

The University provides short-term personal counselling within its student support framework.

2.2 Counselling Contact Information

Student Counsellor: Ms. Simran Siddiqui

Service: Personal Counselling, Student Affairs

Location: CUD HUB Building, Office 104, City Walk, Dubai

Telephone: +971 4 709 6292

Email: studentcounsellor@cud.ac.ae

Website: https://www.cud.ac.ae/student-life/personal-counselling

Students may contact the Counselling Office directly to arrange an appointment.

2.3 Access Without an On-Campus Counselling Fee

CUD provides its student counselling services without an on-campus consultation fee.

This arrangement supports students who may otherwise face financial barriers to accessing personal and psychological guidance.

The service is available to enrolled students through the University's established student support arrangements.

2.4 Referral for Specialised or Long-Term Care

CUD recognises that some students may require support beyond the scope of short-term university counselling.

Where additional professional assistance is needed, the Student Counsellor may refer students to external therapists, psychological specialists or other appropriate healthcare providers.

These referrals help students identify pathways to further assessment or treatment.

The University's CUDeals programme also identifies discounts available through selected external counselling service providers in Dubai.

Charges for external care depend on the provider and the student's individual arrangements.

3. Formal Students Counselling Policy

3.1 Institutional Governance and Accountability

Canadian University Dubai maintains a formal Students Counselling Policy, establishing responsibilities for student counselling and psychological wellbeing.

The policy establishes a formal institutional framework for providing counselling and related student support.

3.2 Commitment to Psychological Wellbeing

The policy assigns the Office of Student Affairs responsibility for supporting students' psychological and physical wellbeing.

It recognises that students may experience emotional, psychological, social and physical challenges requiring professional assistance.

The policy provides for individual counselling conducted by staff with appropriate professional experience and training.

It also identifies the importance of presentations and awareness activities addressing psychological wellbeing, including stress management.

These provisions demonstrate that mental health support is embedded in the University's formal student support arrangements rather than offered solely through occasional events.

3.3 Confidentiality and Privacy

The Students Counselling Policy establishes that individual counselling is strictly confidential.

It also requires counselling records to be maintained securely and privately.

Confidentiality is intended to provide students with a supportive environment in which they can discuss sensitive concerns without unnecessary disclosure of personal information.

These protections are particularly important for mental health support, where students may be reluctant to seek assistance because of privacy concerns or stigma.

3.4 Referral to External Healthcare Professionals

The policy provides for referrals to external medical professionals whenever necessary to ensure students receive appropriate assistance.

This provision creates a documented pathway for students whose needs extend beyond the support available through the University.

It complements the short-term counselling and referral arrangements described on CUD's public student counselling webpage.

3.5 Proactive Mental Health Awareness

The policy also identifies presentations on topics such as stress management as a means of addressing students' psychological needs.

These activities provide opportunities to promote mental health awareness and inform students about the support services available on campus.

They form part of the University's preventive approach to student wellbeing.

4. Active Promotion of Good Mental Health

4.1 Mental Health Awareness and Preventive Education

Canadian University Dubai recognises that supporting mental health involves more than responding to individual concerns.

The University also promotes awareness of wellbeing, resilience, positive relationships and stress management through student activities and educational initiatives.

These activities encourage students to recognise mental health as an important aspect of personal and academic development.

4.2 Wellness Wednesdays — Student-Led Wellbeing Initiative

In June 2023, Canadian University Dubai publicly documented Wellness Wednesdays, a student-led programme developed by the CUD Wellness Society.

The initiative was established to encourage a culture of happiness, positivity, self-awareness and wellbeing on campus.

Designed as a weekly programme, Wellness Wednesdays provided opportunities for students from different academic faculties to connect, develop new interests and participate in wellbeing activities.

Documented activities included:

• Meditation and relaxation.
• Painting and creative expression.
• Candle-making and craft workshops.
• Physical and recreational activities.
• Social interaction and peer engagement.
• Personal reflection and self-care.

The initiative encouraged students to dedicate time to their wellbeing alongside academic responsibilities.

4.3 Peer Connection and Emotional Wellbeing

The Wellness Wednesdays programme was developed in response to concerns about students experiencing stress, social disconnection and difficulty balancing academic and personal responsibilities.

Through informal and creative activities, the initiative encouraged students to develop friendships, build confidence and engage with a supportive peer community.

The programme also collaborated with other student societies on activities associated with Sports Week and Mental Health Awareness Month.

This initiative demonstrates CUD's historical approach to actively promoting student mental wellbeing through peer participation and student leadership.

4.4 World Mental Health Day Awareness

CUD has previously organised activities associated with World Mental Health Day.

The University's event programme has included educational presentations, student participation and opportunities to discuss mental health concerns.

A documented World Mental Health Day programme in October 2023 included a speaker series and an open-mic session for students.

Such activities contribute to greater visibility of mental health issues and encourage students to engage in conversations about psychological wellbeing.

4.5 Student Mental Health Workshops

CUD's earlier institutional records also describe mental health education activities addressing anxiety, stress management, sleep and examination-related pressures.

These activities have involved university representatives and external mental health specialists.

They complement the University's formal counselling arrangements by promoting preventive awareness and encouraging students to seek support when needed.

5. Inclusive Mental Health Support

5.1 Multicultural and Individualised Counselling

Canadian University Dubai serves a diverse student population.

The University's counselling framework recognises that students may experience different challenges arising from cultural background, identity, personal circumstances and social expectations.

CUD's published counselling services explicitly include minority concerns among the topics students may discuss with the Student Counsellor.

The University's counselling approach is designed to be responsive to individual needs while remaining mindful of its multicultural environment.

5.2 Students with Psychological Conditions or Additional Learning Needs

CUD provides academic accessibility services for students with documented disabilities, psychological conditions, learning difficulties, chronic illnesses or other barriers affecting their studies.

Students may be eligible for individualised academic accommodations following appropriate assessment.

Depending on the circumstances, accommodations may include:

• Adjustments to examination arrangements.
• Additional time for assessments.
• Assistive technology.
• Learning resources.
• Distraction-reduced examination environments.
• Other individually assessed academic support measures.

These provisions contribute to an inclusive learning environment for students whose psychological or related conditions affect academic participation.

5.3 Confidential Handling of Accessibility Requests

The University states that accessibility arrangements are handled confidentially and assessed according to individual needs and programme requirements.

This framework complements the Students Counselling Policy and the broader commitment to protecting student privacy.

6. Student Success and Psychological Wellbeing

6.1 Student Success Centre

Canadian University Dubai's Student Success Centre provides academic development services that complement personal counselling.

The Centre supports students through programmes addressing academic confidence, time management, study skills and learning strategies.

These activities can contribute to student wellbeing by helping individuals manage academic responsibilities and develop approaches to common learning challenges.

6.2 Preventing Academic Stress

Academic pressure and uncertainty can influence students' psychological wellbeing.

Through counselling and student success support, CUD provides opportunities for students to seek advice about difficulties affecting their university experience.

The availability of academic and personal support services reflects an institutional approach that considers both educational progress and student wellbeing.

6.3 Coordination of Support Services

The University's wider student support framework includes personal counselling, academic accessibility services, student success programmes and primary healthcare.

These services have different responsibilities but provide complementary pathways for students seeking guidance.

Where specialised care is required, referral arrangements help connect students to appropriate external providers.

7. External Mental Health Support and Professional Referrals

7.1 Referral Network

Canadian University Dubai recognises that some students require psychological or psychiatric services beyond short-term counselling.

The University's published counselling information provides for referrals when longer-term or specialist support is necessary.

Referrals may involve external therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists or other qualified professionals according to the student's needs.

7.2 External Counselling Discounts

CUD's CUDeals programme provides information about discounts offered by selected external counselling service providers in Dubai.

This arrangement may help reduce the cost of obtaining additional support outside the University.

The University distinguishes these external services from the free counselling provided directly through Student Affairs.

7.3 Appropriate Professional Care

CUD's referral framework supports access to professional care while recognising the boundaries of university counselling services.

This approach enables students to receive initial support on campus and information about further treatment options where required.

8. Student Mental Health Support — Institutional Summary

Canadian University Dubai's mental health support framework combines direct counselling, formal institutional policy, preventive awareness and inclusive academic support.

These arrangements demonstrate CUD's commitment to providing accessible mental health support and promoting a supportive learning environment.

9. Continued Commitment to Student Mental Wellbeing

Canadian University Dubai seeks to strengthen student mental wellbeing through accessible counselling, preventive education and positive engagement across the university community.

Its institutional priorities include maintaining confidential student counselling services, promoting awareness of mental health resources, supporting students with diverse needs and encouraging participation in activities that strengthen resilience and social connection.

The University also recognises the importance of maintaining appropriate professional referral pathways for students requiring specialised support.

By combining individual support with wider wellbeing promotion, CUD aims to create an environment in which students feel informed, respected and supported throughout their studies.

Conclusion

Canadian University Dubai provides students with access to free, confidential mental health support through its dedicated personal counselling service.

The University's formal Students Counselling Policy establishes responsibilities for psychological wellbeing, individual counselling, confidentiality, mental health awareness and referrals to external medical professionals.

These provisions are complemented by student-led wellbeing initiatives, mental health awareness activities, academic accessibility services and the Student Success Centre.

Together, they reflect CUD's commitment to supporting student mental health, promoting resilience and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Good Health and Well-Being.

Supporting Institutional Evidence

1. Canadian University Dubai — Personal Counselling. Free individual counselling, supported concerns, confidentiality, referrals and appointment information.
   https://www.cud.ac.ae/student-life/personal-counselling
2. Canadian University Dubai — Students Counselling Policy (ST-PO-6T). Formal institutional responsibilities, confidentiality, mental health awareness and specialist referrals; reviewed 13 March 2023.
   https://www.cud.ac.ae/modules/custom/cud_sustainability/assets/pdfs/students-counselling-policy.pdf
3. Canadian University Dubai — Health and Wellness. Dedicated counselling services, minority concerns, confidentiality and wider wellbeing support.
   https://www.cud.ac.ae/sustainability/campus/health-wellness
4. Canadian University Dubai — Mental Health Support (SDG 3.3.5). Existing institutional evidence of free personal counselling.
   https://sdg.cud.ac.ae/3-3-5/index.html
5. Canadian University Dubai — Wellness Wednesdays, 26 June 2023. Student-led programme promoting happiness, self-care and mental wellbeing.
   https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/canadian-university-dubai-promotes-student-happiness-wellness-wednesdays
6. Canadian University Dubai — World Mental Health Day. Mental health awareness event and student engagement.
   https://www.cud.ac.ae/events/world-mental-health-day

Reporting Year: 2025