Psychotherapy as a strategy to promote the wellbeing of students

Angela: "I am a psychologist and psychotherapist in training at the Cognitive Therapy Center of Como. I did an internship at the Polipsi service, during which I was able to follow some students in short psychotherapy courses under the supervision of experienced psychotherapists. I am enthusiastic about the collaboration with Polipsi for two reasons. First, I am still in training myself and I can easily put myself in the students' shoes. I know what it means to face personal and academic difficulties and they are often related to each other. But above all I am grateful to the Polytechnic for having allowed me to carry out a very formative direct experience - that of psychotherapy - which is not easy to access elsewhere, where usually mere observation is allowed".

Shruti: "I received an immense benefit from the services provided by PoliPsi. When I came from India to the Politecnico in 2017, it was a real culture shock. The first difficulty I had to face was that of language: although I know 5 different languages, Italian is not one of them. I could only say Yes and Gracias. Then I realized that Gracias was not even an Italian word. I study Mechanical Engineering and as engineers we often focus on machines and their operation and construction. It's a pity that we almost never focus on our machine, the one of the body, let alone mental health. As a person in transition, let's say, in the age group between 18 and 30 years, I realized that mental health is a very important thing. There are not many institutions that really encourage people to take care of their mental health. It is still today a mostly taboo and hidden subject. So, when I arrived in Milan, I looked on the internet and I was amazed to see that the Politecnico offered the Polipsi service. I wrote an email and fixed an appointment and they answered me immediately. I want to tell everyone how important it was for me, a foreign student far from home and family, who is facing problems in life, trying to understand who she is, where she is going and what she wants in life. I did an individual psychotherapy course and also participated in a group workshop on "emotional development". We reflected on how our childhood impacts our current behaviors. Ultimately, I thank the Politecnico for the service, not taken for granted, that it offers. If I have confidence in speaking today in front of all of you, it is also thanks to Polipsi".