Mission

Mental health problems are one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. Epidemiological studies show that 10-20% of the population suffers from mental disorders of varying severity, with significant implications for the psychosocial functioning of individuals. Mental health issues concern both the general population and specific, more vulnerable groups, including children, adolescents, and young adults, individuals living in poverty and unemployment, refugees, and socially excluded groups.

In particular, young men and women who study at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) go through a transitional period, which marks the final journey towards adulthood and independence. Along the way, they often face issues such as career prospects, redefining relationships with parents, romantic relationships, new learning demands, and other challenges that can be difficult to manage and require specialized help and guidance. In addition, various factors related to individual characteristics, family relationships, physical or mental health, and the socio-economic status of young people can interfere with and impact the learning process and the smooth adjustment of students to their new environment.

The mission of the Laboratory is to actively contribute to the psychosocial support of students at the University of West Attica and the wider local community, with the ultimate goal of promoting mental health. Conducting psychosocial research, raising awareness and providing information to the academic and broader community on mental health issues, training professionals, standardizing relevant psychometric tools, and offering counseling services are the pillars of the Laboratory.

The Department of Social Work has an extensive network of collaborating partners that support the operation of the Laboratory. However, through the actions of the Laboratory, it becomes possible to expand these collaborations and attract researchers from various disciplines with the ultimate goal of attuning the Laboratory’s functioning with the main purposes/pillars of the Department of Social Work. Our aim is for the work produced by the Laboratory to enhance the Department’s external orientation and foster collaborations with other educational institutions and organizations, both nationally and internationally, at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.