Bulletin No. 1, 2011

6   Chinese University Bulletin No. 1, 2011 uBuddies Peer Counselling Network A key feature of the Caring Campus Campaign is the uBuddies Counselling Network, a peer counselling initiative for undergraduate students. Some 30 students representing a cross-section of the student population are selected from a pool of applicants, then given intensive training from January to August each year. They are drilled in peer counselling skills, taught to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses in others and in themselves, attend an adventure-based training camp, and given the chance to practise under supervision. Ms. Lau anticipates that by the 2012–13 academic year, there should be about 100 uBuddies on campus. What exactly do uBuddies do? Under the supervision of counselling professionals, they transmit good vibes and sound advice to students by organizing sharing groups for freshmen, manning an ‘Agony Aunt’ e-mail box, and sending regular morale-boosting email reminders to students, besides organizing events, shooting videos and producing a booklet. The Caring Campaign also involves other members of CUHK in building a healthy mindset on campus. For instance, many are invited to talk about their experiences at CUHK such as with the ‘caring’ aspect of the campus, or how they adjusted to life here. Sharers have included a member of the female workers’ cooperative (bottom right), menial staff, Dean of Students Prof. Dennis Ng, alumnus Mr. Dick Lee Ming-kwai (top left), non-local students, and exchange students. To reinforce desirable qualities in students, the campaign has conducted a survey on attitudes and character strengths in order to raise awareness of how self- reflection and traits such as kindness, empathy, gratitude, forgiveness and social intelligence can contribute to a truly caring campus.