International students complete training at UNN under the Mental Volunteers project

International students who are willing to provide psychological support to other students from abroad have completed training at Lobachevsky University. As part of the Mental Volunteers programme, the students were provided with training aimed at acquiring the skills to render psychological support in a volunteering environment. The training included a theoretical block, practical exercises and role-playing games, which allowed participants to master the techniques by applying them in practice.

The students learned to better understand their own emotional states, as well as to notice and correctly interpret other people's emotions. They became familiar with emotional regulation techniques, learned how to reduce anxiety and manage stress. Special attention was given to active listening techniques, non-verbal communication and constructive dialog. Participants learned to ask open-ended questions, paraphrase and give verbal and non-verbal support.

The training of “Mental Volunteers” was organised from December 2024 to March 2025. The course was conducted by Yulia Kurzyukova and Polina Galstyan, psychologists of the UNN Centre for Social and Psychological Support of Students.

The international students Omar Mohamed Abdel Rahman Adam, Andrew Uchechukwu Oparaugo, Mohamed Salem Attia Salem Elfadadni and Saddam Sajjad Abbas Saddam received certificates confirming their successful completion of the Mental Volunteers programme.