Jadavpur University will recognise two courses to be offered by Caring Minds, an organisation that helps people in need of support for their emotional well-being.

Caring Minds will offer a one-year diploma course in psychological counselling and a six-month certificate course in psychotherapy.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by JU vice-chancellor Suranjan Das and Minu Budhia, founder-director, Caring Minds, for the two courses on Friday morning.

“These courses have immense social value. Since we have recognised the courses, the degree certificates will carry the signature of our controller of examinations and the founder-director,” Das said.

The session begins in April 2019. Classes will be held at the Caring Minds office on Sarat Bose Road.

Manojit Mandal, a joint coordinator of the Centre for Disability Studies at JU, said they would help the Caring Minds run the courses. “Since we have the expertise in running related courses, we will help them with the required skills,” he said.

The centre offers psychological counselling and family therapy.

The one-year diploma course in psychological counselling, which will have both theoretical and practical classes, will cover topics such as psychological disorders and counselling methods and techniques.

Explaining the significance of the course, Das said: “Mental health problems are on the rise in society and these courses will equip the students to help people in meaningful ways.”

Any student who has passed Class XII is eligible for the diploma course. For the other course, an aspirant has to be a graduate in any stream with psychology as one of the subjects or training in basic counselling.