Mexico City, January 27, 2025. SMART Center of the Universidad Panamericana held the conference Echoes of help from counseling: how to accompany university students against addictionsin the auditorium of our university.
The objective of this meeting was to highlight the importance of addiction prevention. prevention of addictions and to strengthen the support tools of the university counselorsreaffirming the university's commitment to student welfare. student welfare and the integral formation.
During the event, we also celebrated the fourth presentation of digital badges to advisors who completed the SMART Diplomaa program designed to to strengthen the accompaniment skills of university advisors..
Positive impact
In taking the floor, Dr. Teresa Nicolás Dr. Teresa NicolásDr. Teresa Nicolás, institutional director of Educational Innovation, invited the attendees to focus on happiness as the main axis of their lives and as a fundamental tool to positively impact students.
"My wish for you is not that you are simply successful, but that you are happy. If we are happy, we can inspire our students to be happy as well.", she said. Dr. Nicolás Dr. Nicolás also highlighted the power of human contact in mentoring, recalling that technology, no matter how much technology is used, is not always the same.She reminded that technology, no matter how advanced, cannot replace the value of personal experience and human testimony.
Dr. Nicolás stressed to the advisors: "Human contact is irreplaceable. An artificial intelligence can give us data, but it can never share a testimony from lived experience. That connection is what makes the work you do so valuable."
A testimony that left its mark
One of the most touching moments of the event was the testimony of Eduardo del VillarEduardo del Villar, special guest, who shared the heartbreaking experience of losing his brother to substance abuse. In his account, Eduardo not only illustrated the seriousness of addictions, but also the importance of to talk openly about these issues in order to break down taboos and promote a culture of prevention.
"We never thought that this could happen to us." Eduardo confessed. "Suicide and addictions are issues that we often avoid, but they are much closer than we imagine. I am here today to invite you to be the bridge of help that our young people need".
Eduardo stressed the need to develop tools and strategies for students to feel confident in asking for help and dealing with their emotions. He also praised the work of counselors, calling them key players in transforming lives and preventing tragedies, Eduardo praised the work of counselors, describing them as key players in transforming lives and preventing tragedies.
"You, as advisors, can be the first line of support .. Your active listening, empathy and willingness to understand the students' needs are fundamental to prevent not only addictions, but also the devastating consequences they can have." Eduardo concluded.
Dialogue and prevention from the university
The event also included a speech by Dr. Mariana Azcárragaa specialist in psychiatry and part of the team of the University Center for Health and Wellnesswho offered key data on the impact of addictions and concrete strategies to prevent them.
According to Dr. Azcarraga, substance use is not only related to physical health, but also to emotional and social problems. She pointed out that 80% of suicide cases in young people between 15 and 29 years of age are directly related to substance use, with alcohol being the main trigger.
According to the specialist, active active listening and early detection are fundamental tools to avoid tragedies.
"Prevention starts with ourselves. It is critical that as counselors and as a university community we learn to identify signs of risk in studentsto listen to them without judgment and to guide them to the support tools that the university offers," said Mariana.said Mariana.
The doctor also detailed the resources available at the Universidad Panamericana, such as the University Center for Health and Wellnessfocused on the promotion and prevention of mental health and the Clinical Psychology Unitwhich provides direct attention to students with specific problems.
A vision of the future in consulting
The rector of the Universidad Panamericana, Dr. Santiago García Álvarez Dr. Santiago García Álvarezclosed the event with an emotional message, recognizing the work of the advisors and highlighting their crucial role in building a stronger and more supportive university community.
"You are our hands and eyes. Through your work, we can transform lives and prevent tragedies. Counseling not only guides our students toward academic success, but also toward a full and purposeful life.", he said.
The Rector encouraged the advisors to continue their professional development through the SMART Diploma and other training programs, emphasizing the importance of professional and personal growth as a factor that enriches student wellbeing..
If any advisor requires additional guidance or support, they are invited to contact their advisor coordinator or write to the following e-mail address mx_advisory@up.edu.mxwhere they will receive the necessary attention to continue to be a key resource in the lives of students.
Learn more about what SMART Center offers for consultants at: https://smartcenter.up.edu.mx/#
