Out of the Woods

The Psychosocial Counseling Center at Chemnitz University of Technology and the Psychological Counseling Service at the Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau help students in particular during times of stress and crisis.

Where can I find a new part-time job and quickly find an alternative for my planned internship? Will I make the deadline for my term paper? Do I have enough time to prepare for my exams? What will happen after graduation? Questions upon questions - and you are already brooding about the current situation or the future and can hardly concentrate on your studies. Such thoughts often intensify due to the Corona pandemic and its associated loneliness.

Need for counseling increases during the pandemic

The Psychosocial Counseling Center at Chemnitz University of Technology and the Psychological Counseling Service at the Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau are receiving an increasing number of requests for consultation from people who are suffering from the pandemic-related restrictions and challenges. "The contact restrictions, the lack of activities outside of one's own home, the changed academic situation, and the pressures of working from home often lead to loneliness. Foreign students and people with a migration background suffer from this in particular," says Prof. Dr. Stephan Mühlig, holder of the Chair of Clinical Psychology at Chemnitz University of Technology and head of the university’s Psychosocial Counseling Center. Frequently, people seeking counseling were already suffering from psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, or panic, before the pandemic, but these conditions have intensified due to the pandemic-related restrictions. Those who are unable to find a psychotherapy appointment quickly are taking advantage of counseling as a stop-gap measure. There is also an increased need for counseling for people with academic problems and crises which had already developed before the Corona pandemic but have increased under the current conditions. These include stress, test anxiety, and being overwhelmed, as well as a lack of structure.

“Since the beginning of the year, about eight people a week have been contacting the university's psychosocial counseling center with questions and concerns or the desire to seek psychosocial counseling," reports Luise Kuzmowicz from the university counseling center. "At the Studentenwerk, there are about 18 people in Chemnitz alone who contact me seeking advice each month," adds psychological counselor Tina Horlitz, head of Social Services/Culture at the Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau. In recent months, the psychologist has noticed that students are increasingly turning to her with problems that normally only lead to a slight feeling of insecurity. "Now, in such situations, they need counseling once or twice to regain their footing and be able to act independently," Horlitz says. That could be a phenomenon of an overall uncertain time. Otherwise she has made similar observations to those made by the university counselors.

From individual counseling via videoconferencing to counseling walks and the "Counselors Chapter”

At Chemnitz University of Technology, individual counseling sessions currently take place primarily by videoconference with telephone sessions taking place in a few cases. Initial contact can also be made via e-mail. The Studentenwerk’s Psychological Counseling Service offers counseling walks during the pandemic. "Many students don't want to talk when family or flatmates could listen in. We solve that by meeting in person outdoors in quiet places near campus chosen by those seeking counseling," Horlitz said. The "Counselors Chapter" was developed for international students in particular: "Students seeking advice can use the e-mail address psb-chemnitz@swcz.de to make an appointment for telephone counselling. Afterwards, individually tailored material is sent to them by e-mail, followed by a follow-up counseling session by phone," Horlitz explains. This is intended to provide resources for self-help with regard to a wide range of topics including life crises and living with the corona situation, exam and other fears, emotional instability, loneliness, and academic motivation. Additionally, the material provides resources for supporting oneself in a goal- and solution-oriented fashion. It is also intended to offer - especially to international students - German or English vocabulary to describe their inner world.

Well networked in psychotherapy

It is important for both counseling centers at the university and the Studentenwerk to always clearly communicate that psychological counseling is not a substitute for psychotherapy. "If there are indications of clinically relevant symptoms, we arrange contact with outpatient psychotherapists near the student’s place of residence, for example at the Psychotherapeutic University Outpatient Clinic at Chemnitz University of Technology, with inpatient facilities, or with self-help groups," says Mühlig. The Psychological Counseling Service at the Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau also works with cooperating practices, some of which specialize in student concerns.

Background: Psychosocial Counseling Center at Chemnitz University of Technology

The Psychosocial Counseling Center at Chemnitz University of Technology is a professional contact point for those seeking help and advice in mostly acute stress or crisis situations with problems below the diagnostic threshold of a mental disorder.  The program is directed to all students and employees of Chemnitz University of Technology but is also open to non-university young people and adults from the region, as far as capacities allow.

Contact and additional information: Luise Kuzmowicz, Nicola Hauptmann, and Marlene Schmidt (starting May 2021), phone: 0371 531-28404, e-mail: psb@psychologie.tu-chemnitz.de

Background: Psychological Counseling at the Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau

The Psychological Counseling Service at the Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau helps those with crises in studies, identity and orientation problems, concentration difficulties, exam nerves or work disorders, loneliness, and contact problems, as well as partnership and relationship conflicts with personal and confidential conversations.

Contact and additional information: Tina Horlitz, Psychological Counselor and Head of Social Services/Culture at the Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau, phone: 0371 5628-120, e-mail: psb-chemnitz@swcz.de

(Author: Mario Steinebach / Translation: Chelsea Burris)

Matthias Fejes
17.03.2021

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