A career rooted in promoting mental health
- Wits University
Lived experiences inspired a career in psychology and these keep Shameen Naidu close to students that need support.
Shameen Naidu is a Team Leader of Therapy Services in the Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU), where she helps students achieve mental wellness and independence.
Her career in psychology was inspired by her own lived experiences and a desire to support children and young adults, particularly those vulnerable and facing challenges similar to her own.
This led Naidu to pursue Psychology studies, starting with an undergraduate degree at then-Natal University in Durban. For her honours degree studies, she moved to the Pietermaritzburg campus where she experienced bouts of homesickness, a common feeling among students that she now serves. Her quest to become a professional took her back to the Durban campus, closer to home where she completed her master’s degree. She registered as an educational psychologist in 1995.
After qualifying as an educational psychologist, Naidu moved to Johannesburg and continued her internship at the Human Sciences Research Council's Child and Family Centre. It was during this time that she realised the importance of working with parents to help children effectively.
“If you are only seeing the child, you have minimal impact. Often a child is part of the family, therefore, you have to address the problems at home. This is more effective, as therapy without parental intervention takes a long time.”
Naidu's work gradually shifted towards family and relationship therapy, and she played a key role in setting up and running the trauma unit at the Bryanwood Therapy and Assessment Centre in Bryanston. She eventually started her own private practice.
Serving students
It is this wealth of personal and professional experience that Naidu brought to Wits in 1998 as a part-time counsellor. Initially, she divided her time between Wits, her practice, and dedicating time to her young family. At CCDU, she became part of a team of counsellors, led by Anne Lunsky, that provides support to students dealing with academic, personal, relationship, and career-related issues.
Naidu says there have been significant changes in the issues that students have presented with over the years, reflecting broader societal trends.
She noted increasing concerns related to mental health, including increased levels of anxiety, depression, suicidality, and relationship and family problems. Other mental health stressors include lack of employment opportunities, substance use and abuse, social inclusion and diversity (including sexual and gender diversity), and the impact of social media, cyberbullying, and harassment.
The CCDU has adapted to these changing demands over the years and expanded its services beyond individual counselling and career assessments. The unit now offers an intake service without waiting lists, provides narrative career counselling and coaching as well as a Graduate Recruitment Programme, Faculty-specific career fairs, and an extensive Advocacy Programme.
To provide around-the-clock support, there is also an externally supported 24-hour student hotline, which also offers a texting App for those who feel more comfortable with texting rather than talking or engaging face-to-face.
A community of support
As a strong believer in empowering individuals, rather than creating dependence on support, Naidu suggests that the programmes offered by CCDU and Wits and the CCDU at Wits offer foster independence and encourage peer support. Group therapy, for example, has shown positive outcomes in university settings, as many students tend to reach out to their peers. When in groups, students can share similar experiences and find solutions together with a professional therapist.
According to Naidu, this approach is also supported by a 2019 national survey of 19 institutions, which found that students prefer to be helped by their peers.
“This form of therapy is beneficial as it promotes peer sharing with, and learning from, each other, to identify solutions for themselves,” explains Naidu.
Outside of her work, Naidu practices yoga, mindfulness, and enjoys reading and watching movies. She incorporates this ethos in her work with students and facilitates mindfulness groups and runs yoga classes to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
Naidu actively contributes to her profession and serves on the executive management committee of the Southern African Association for Counselling and Development in Higher Education (SAACDHE). She takes pride in showcasing the work done by CCDU in advancing student wellness and support.
As a proponent of lifelong learning, Naidu is currently pursuing a PhD, with research focused on student coping. Many who have completed doctorates share stories of the winding road and the highs and lows of this journey. She admits that she has embarked on a challenging undertaking, however, she has a community backing her. Along with three colleagues, Naidu made a pact to register for their PhDs and they are navigating this journey together. Naidu’s husband and two adolescent children are part of the cheering squad encouraging her professional academic aspirations.