What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:00 - 16:30 Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30 Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30 Thursday 08:00 - 16:30 Friday 08:00 - 16:00

UFS Student Counselling & Development

Home
South Africa
Bloemfontein
UFS Student Counselling & Development

Call Directions Website Contact the practice

UFS STUDENT COUNSELLING & DEVELOPMENT IS A FREE SERVICE FOR ALL REGISTERED UFS STUDENTS!!! Services

17/10/2026

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘆 | 𝟭𝟳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿

Not all trauma is visible. Sometimes, the impact of a traumatic experience shows up in ways that others may not immediately recognise — in our emotions, relationships, behaviour or how we navigate everyday life.

Trauma affects people differently, and there is no single timeline for healing. What may seem insignificant to one person can be deeply distressing to another. This is why compassion, patience and understanding matter. We may not always know what someone is going through, but we can choose to listen without judgement and offer support without making assumptions.

Healing is not always a straightforward process, and no one should feel pressured to move on before they are ready. Creating safe spaces for honest conversations, respecting personal boundaries and encouraging people to seek professional support when needed can make a meaningful difference.

This World Trauma Day, let’s remember that 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲’𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹. A little understanding can go a long way.

If you are struggling with the effects of a traumatic experience, support is available. Student Counselling and Development (SCD) encourages UFS students to reach out for assistance when they need it.

💙 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.

10/10/2026

💙 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆 | 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Mental health is an important part of our overall well-being, influencing how we think, feel, connect with others and navigate life's challenges.

As students, balancing academic responsibilities, personal relationships, financial pressures and future plans can sometimes feel overwhelming. It's important to remember that taking care of your mental health is not a sign of weakness, nor is it something you have to manage alone.

This World Mental Health Day, make space for honest conversations about mental health. Reach out to someone you trust, seek professional support when you need it, and give yourself permission to rest and recharge. Small steps towards caring for yourself can make a meaningful difference.

Student Counselling and Development (SCD) encourages you to speak openly, reach out for support and prioritise your well-being. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳.

07/10/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗼

October is 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, making it a good time to check in with yourself and think about the small things you can do to support your wellbeing.

Looking after your mental health doesn't always mean making big changes. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

How many can you tick off today? ✅

💧 Drink a glass of water
😴 Get enough sleep
💬 Talk to someone you trust
🌿 Spend some time outside
🚶 Go for a walk
🎨 Do something creative
📵 Take a screen break
🫶 Spend time with someone you care about
🧘 Try a breathing exercise
❤️ Do something that makes you happy

Use the bingo board to choose a few small things you can do for yourself today. You don't have to complete the whole board to take care of your wellbeing.

And remember, 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁. Student Counselling and Development (SCD) is here for UFS students.

02/10/2026

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 🌿

Health and wellbeing are about more than just one aspect of your life. This 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 , students are invited to connect, learn, access support and take steps towards their overall wellbeing.

Join the Student Wellness and Advocacy Office (SWAO) for a week of 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, with focus areas including:

🧠 Mental Health Awareness
🩺 Sexual & Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS
🚫 Substance Abuse and Prevention
🖐️ Gender-Based Violence
🏳️‍🌈 Gender Diversity and Inclusion

📍 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗲𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀: 5–9 October 2026
📍 𝗤𝘄𝗮𝗾𝘄𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀: 12–16 October 2026
🕘 09:00–15:30
📌 Thakaneng Bridge, Qwaqwa Campus

Connect. Care. Thrive.

01/10/2026

📣 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗦𝗖𝗗 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄!

Are you passionate about content creation, social media and mental health awareness? The Student Counselling and Development (SCD) is looking for students to join the 2027 SCD Influencer Programme.

If you meet the requirements and have been considering applying, this is your final reminder to get your application in.

The programme is open to eligible second- and third-year students across all three UFS campuses.

📅 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲: 𝟮 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Scan the QR code on the poster to apply.

Don’t miss the deadline — apply today!

25/09/2026

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆

Student life can come with academic pressure, personal challenges, decisions about your future, and moments when you simply need someone to talk to.

Student Counselling and Development (SCD) is here to support you through different aspects of your student journey, with services including:

✨ Counselling & Wellbeing
🎓 Career Support
🤝 Personal & Social Support
🌱 Personal Development
💙 Specialised Support

SCD services are available to help you navigate challenges, build skills, make informed decisions, and look after your wellbeing.

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗖𝗗 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂. You can scan the QR code on the poster or visit the SCD website.

You don't have to figure everything out on your own. 💙

18/09/2026

🎥 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗖𝗗 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀!

Our SCD Influencers don't just create content. They help make Student Counselling and Development more accessible to fellow students by sharing useful information and helping students know where to find support.

In this throwback, our influencers show you how to find the SCD offices on Bloemfontein Campus. 👣💙

Think you could be part of creating content like this?

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗦𝗖𝗗 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 are now open to eligible students across all three UFS campuses.

📅 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝟮 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

Check the requirements and scan the QR code on our application poster to apply.

11/09/2026

📣 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗦𝗖𝗗 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 | 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻

Are you passionate about 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀? The Student Counselling and Development (SCD) is looking for students to join its 2027 Influencer Programme.

The programme is open to students across all three UFS campuses — Bloemfontein, South and QwaQwa.

To apply, you must:
✔️ Have an academic average of 65% or above
✔️ Be a second- or third-year student
✔️ Not be a volunteer in any other office
✔️ Not be involved in any leadership committee
✔️ Be passionate about content creation, social media, and mental health awareness

📅 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻: 11 September 2026
📅 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲: 2 October 2026

If you meet the requirements and would like to use your voice and creativity to help promote mental health awareness among UFS students, 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝗥 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆.

10/09/2026

𝗦𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 is about more than responding when someone is already in crisis. It is also about recognising when someone may be struggling, creating safe spaces to talk, and making sure people know where they can find support. 💛

Sometimes, the signs may not be obvious. A person may withdraw from others, seem unusually hopeless or overwhelmed, experience significant changes in their mood or behaviour, or feel like they are a burden to those around them.

If you are concerned about someone, don't be afraid to check in. A simple “𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆?” can open the door to an important conversation. Listen without judgement, take what they are saying seriously, and encourage them to seek professional support when needed.

And if you are struggling yourself, you don't have to wait until things become unbearable before asking for help.

Student Counselling and Development (SCD) provides free and confidential support to registered UFS students. You can book an appointment with a mental health professional or reach out to the 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗔𝗚 𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲, available 24/7 and toll-free:

📞 0800 00 6363
📱 SMS 43302
📧 [email protected]

Reaching out can be the first step. 💙

Address

Kovsie Lane, University Of The Free State Campus, Nelson Mandela Avenue
Bloemfontein
9301

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:30
Thursday	08:00 - 16:30
Friday	08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27514012853

Website

https://www.ufs.ac.za/supportservices/departments/student-counselling-development-home

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UFS Student Counselling & Development posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to UFS Student Counselling & Development:

Want your practice to be the top-listed clinic in Bloemfontein?