EdTechReview.in is excited to share a new way to promote mental health and well-being in the classroom. The University of Nevada, Reno Counselling Services has launched Kognito, an online, interactive role-play simulation program that supports students, faculty, and staff in developing the skills they need to foster mental health in their classrooms and communities.
Kognito is a leading provider of practice-based digital learning experiences that have been successfully helping people learn crucial strategies to enhance mental health and well-being for over two decades. Through the Counselling Services, the platform is now available to everyone on campus. It provides two distinct courses for faculty, staff, and students. The At-Risk Mental Health for Students course offers students the opportunity to learn how to identify signs of mental distress, how to check in with people in need, and how to refer them to professional help if needed. The At-Risk Mental Health for Faculty and Staff course teaches teachers and staff how to recognize signs of mental distress in students and how to refer them to Counseling Services.
The platform was designed to help users practice their conversational skills and empathy in real-life conversations. Through role-playing, users can learn how to build resilience, strengthen relationships, and connect with support. It further provides users with the tools to cope with stressful situations and how to advocate for themselves.
Kognito has had a positive impact on more than 1.5 million users across the globe. It has been used to foster conversations around important topics such as suicide prevention, social-emotional learning, violence prevention, and substance use. It uses a virtual practice environment and conversation platform to guide users in meaningful discussions on complex and challenging social and mental health-related topics.
Counselling Services strives to maximize its resources in order to meet the counselling needs of students. It works to improve students’ resilience to distress and increase their repertoire of coping strategies. It offers virtual relaxation tools, emergency helplines, same-day appointments, and group therapy options. With Kognito, Counselling Services is further creating an environment that is safe and supportive.
Teachers and staff who are interested in accessing Kognito can do so through the Counselling Services website. After logging in with their NetID, they will be prompted to choose either the At-Risk Mental Health for Students or the At-Risk Mental Health for Faculty and Staff course.
By launching Kognito, Counselling Services is helping to make the campus a safe and supportive environment that promotes mental well-being. With the platform, students, faculty, and staff can develop the skills they need to foster a positive mental health environment.
