At Dai Nam University, there's a place for those with "emotional roughness."

You don't necessarily need a serious psychological problem to seek counseling. Sometimes it's just a tiring day, a secret you don't know who to talk to, academic pressure, setbacks in friendships, relationships, or family, or simply feeling like you don't understand yourself. At Dai Nam University, there's a place for those moments: the Psychological Counseling Center.

Students don't need to wait until a "problem" arises; they can reach out to the Center whenever they feel they need someone to listen.

YOU DON'T NEED TO HAVE A "PROBLEM" TO SEEK HELP

"I thought you only needed to come here if you had mental health issues."

That used to be the thought of many students when they heard the word "counseling." But after being listened to and having conversations, many realized: "Only now do I know that I can come here to talk about any problem I'm having."

The gap between those two statements also represents the journey of the Psychological Counseling Center gradually becoming a closer part of the lives of Dai Nam University students. Because student life isn't always filled with happy days.

A well-timed conversation can help young people calm down and reflect on their own feelings and stories.

Entering university is also when young people begin to face many changes: leaving home, getting used to a new environment, building new relationships, and taking on more responsibility for their studies and lives. Some pressures can be named, while others simply evoke feelings of "something isn't right today." And sometimes, what a young person needs first isn't advice.

"Because what you really need, ultimately, is a place to listen to what you have to say," shared Ms. Bao Hue, an expert at the Center.

A small room, but enough space for big stories.

Located on the 6th floor of the Startup building, the Psychological Counseling Center doesn't feel like a "treatment room."

It's a space filled with light, greenery, books, and paintings. Potted plants are tended to, a small corner is renovated, and some items are rearranged… before each student return to school.

Experts at the Psychological Counseling Center support students through their academic, emotional, family, and life experiences.

The changes were subtle, but behind them lay a clear preparation: readiness to welcome students. More important than the space itself were the people who lived there.

The experts don't stand in a position of judging right or wrong or imposing a pre-determined solution. They listen, ask questions, and accompany each student so that they can calmly reflect on their own story, name their emotions, and gradually find a way that suits them.

Information from counseling sessions is kept confidential. The stories students bring are respected. Because only when they feel safe enough can young people speak truthfully about things that hurt, confuse, or insecure them.

Therefore, the distance between "teacher and student" gradually shortens when entering that room. Sometimes, the person sitting opposite feels like a teacher, but at other times, they are as close as an older sibling, a friend who knows how to listen.

The Counseling Center offers a friendly, private space where students' stories are listened to and respected.

UNIVERSITIES ARE NOT JUST ABOUT CLASSROOM HOURS

A student might excel academically but still have days of exhaustion. A young person might be laughing and chatting with friends but secretly harboring a difficult secret. A freshman eagerly entering university might also simultaneously feel homesick, lonely, confused, or unsure of where they belong.

Therefore, supporting students cannot be limited to just the curriculum, grades, or classroom lectures.

Universities also need support systems so that when students encounter a "rough patch," they know they don't necessarily have to navigate it alone. The Dai Nam Psychological Counseling Center was built with that spirit in mind.

The aim is not to turn every sadness into a "psychological problem." It's not to offer answers for students. Rather, it's to create a safe space where every young person can be listened to, respected, and supported when needed.

Dai Nam Psychological Counseling Center - a support system so students don't have to navigate the "rough" paths alone.

WHEN YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, JUST STOP BY.

A new school year has begun.

For K20 students, the first months of university life lie ahead. There will be lots of fun, new friends, and memorable experiences. But there will certainly be some challenging days as well.

If you ever feel tired, stressed, or confused; if you're having problems with family, friends, love, or studies; or simply want to find someone patient enough to listen to your story – Dai Nam Psychological Counseling Center always has a place for you.

Because sometimes, emotional rough patches don't need to disappear immediately. They just need a safe place to talk, to be listened to, and to find a way to get through them together.

Psychological Counseling Center – Dai Nam University

📍 6th Floor, Startup Building

At Dai Nam University, caring for students is not just about accompanying them in the classroom, but also about being there when they need support.