Objectives – Activity Areas

The main areas of activity of the Research Laboratory in Counseling, Psychosocial Support and Community Interventions are as follows:

  • Counselling
  • Psychosocial support
  • Psychosocial research
  • Prevention of psychosocial difficulties
  • Promotion of mental health
  • Promotion and enhancement of skills of children, adolescents, youth, and families
  • Assessment of community needs, social exclusion, and the rights of vulnerable social groups.

 

The main objectives of establishing the Laboratory are the following:

  1. To cover the teaching and research needs of the Department and other Departments of the University of West Attica at the undergraduate and postgraduate level in areas within the core activity domains of the Laboratory.
  2. To support doctoral and postdoctoral research in domains related to the teaching and research areas of the Laboratory.
  3. To promote teaching and research collaborations among professors and researchers with related or complementary scientific fields within the University of West Attica.
  4. To collaborate in various ways with Research Centers and Academic Institutions, both domestic and international, as long as their goals coincide, align, and complement those of the Laboratory in the spirit of reciprocity and collective work.
  5. To collaborate with entities in the broader public sector, local government organizations, scientific, social, and professional bodies, international organizations, or productive bodies of the private sector in relevant scientific fields, in order to contribute to the joint exploration of solutions and proposals for addressing contemporary issues.
  6. To provide expert opinions on matters related to the cognitive subjects of the Laboratory, in accordance with the relevant legislation.
  7. To provide services to individuals and organizations according to the provisions of Presidential Decree 159/1984 (Government Gazette 53/A’/27.4.1984): conditions for providing services by university laboratories to individuals and organizations of any legal form.
  8. To attract funded research from national and international sources in scientific areas related to the Laboratory’s activities or specific areas of expertise of its members.
  9. To organize scientific lectures, workshops, seminars, symposiums, conferences, and other scientific events, to publish and edit papers, as well as to invite Greek and foreign renowned scientists.
  10. To provide counseling services and psychosocial support to children, adolescents, young people, and families on issues related to mental health, anxiety, learning difficulties, interpersonal relationships, psychosocial problems, difficulties in adaptation and time management, concentration difficulties, studies, and student life.
  11. To enhance the resilience of students and help them to cultivate academic, emotional, and interpersonal skills.
  12. To inform and raise awareness within the academic community about mental health issues and psychopathology, as well as the rights of vulnerable social groups.
  13. To support students with disabilities and/or special educational needs and learning difficulties to adapt to the university environment and participate equitably in academic studies and the broader community.
  14. To promote the active engagement of the academic community in volunteer groups addressing various issues within the university or the wider community.
  15. To promote mental health in the local community, with a particular focus on children, adolescents, and families.
  16. To provide psychosocial support to the local population, with a particular focus on children, adolescents, and families.
  17. To raise awareness in the local community about mental health issues.
  18. To implement holistic intervention models within the community.
  19. To apply modern research methods, with an emphasis on promoting interdisciplinary and comparative research on issues related to social cohesion and social change in crisis situations, as well as issues related to educational and social inclusion and intervention in order to address the consequences of poverty and social exclusion in individuals, families, and communities.
  20. To train specialized professionals in the local community (such as educators, doctors, social scientists, etc.) in issues related to mental health, social protection, community organization, and rights.
  21. To conduct psychosocial studies and standardize psychometric tools.
  22. To publish periodically an electronic journal (e-journal) or electronic newsletter.