In February 2007, the Islamic Center began to recruit social workers, to work along with the Chaplain Brother Khalid Latif to provide volunteer counseling to the NYU community at large. The Islamic Center currently has on staff the following social workers:
Maryum Khwaja is the Director of Social Services for the Islamic Center at NYU. Her office hours are Wednesdays from 4-5:30 and she is also availible by appointment. For more information, please visit her staff bio.
Janice French: Janice is a second year MSW student at New York University. She currently interns at Mt. Sinai hospital and has worked with young adults, the elderly, children and in the areas of domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues. She is of South American ancestry and can offer services in Spanish. You may contact Janice by email: jaf442@nyu.edu or by phone to schedule an appointment.
Suweba Kabiru is a Social Worker currently working at Turning Point for Women and Families. She graduated with a Master's degree in Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work this year (2007). She has worked with parents to prevent child abuse and neglect and worked with parents who were involved with ACS. At her current employment at Turning Point for Women and families, she worked with women who are affected by domestic violence and helps Muslim families who are marginalized by poverty and/or immigration status as well as those who have suffered the effects of the backlash of 9/11. She has counseled parents, teenagers, and families on domestic violence, parenting, relationships, child developments, child abuse, and many other issues. She has facilitated several educational and support groups. Suweba is fluent in Twi, Hausa, Chamba, and Kotokoli.
For the 2007 - 2008 academic year, Suweba will be available for counseling on Thursday evenings, from 7:30-8:30PM, and by appointment. Please e-mail her at skabiru@turningpoint-ny.org with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Supportive services can be provided in the following areas:
- Individual Counseling: The counselors at the Islamic Center have a vast amount of experience, working with different types of social issues, such as depression, anxiety, relationship abuse, peer conflict, issues if discrimination, suicidal ideation, drugs and alcohol, disabilities, issues of self-esteem, faith and practice, immigration and issues of acculturation, and sexuality. Services can be provided in these areas. Please be aware that services provided are completely confidential.
- Career Counseling: One of the biggest challenges that all students face while in college is the question of which profession to choose after college. This decision can be based on a number of factors ranging from personal interest and areas of excellence, parent recommendations/expectations/pressure, career opportunities, and financial gains. The counselors at the Islamic Center can help provide support and guidance to students throughout this process.
- Pre-Marriage/Marriage Counseling: The process of finding someone to marry can become an overwhelming task, especially in light of family expectations and our own personal and professional goals. Counseling will be available to those who might need support and guidance through this process. In addition, counselors can also provide marital counseling to couples who are already married and in need of assistance to reduce conflict.
- Family Stressors/Conflict: When we come to school and/or work, we often carry along with us any issues that we might be dealing with at home, including financial problems, legal and immigration issues, acculturation/assimilation issues, and conflict/violence in the home. These stressors could potentially have a negative impact upon our academic and/or professional performance. Counselors can provide assistance and resources to address problems at home, and how to cope with these problems without negatively impacting other areas of our lives.
Over the summer of 2007, efforts were made to join forces with NYU's Mental Health and Social Work Department at the Student Health Center, to create a cross-referral system to best meet the students' needs. Services provided through the mental health center include short-term individual counseling, group therapy, crisis response services, short-term pharmacological treatment, and short-term case management services.
In September/October 2007, the Counseling Center will work with the Student Health Center to provide mini info sessions on different topics, including Domestic Violence/Relationship Abuse, Drugs and Alcohol, Depression/Anxiety and Suicide, Sexuality, etc. Stay tuned!
Contact Information for Mental Health Services at NYU:
726 Broadway, 4th Floor
212.998.4780
212.443.9999- NYU Wellness Center's 24-hous emergency crisis line
www.nyu.edu/counseling
university.counseling@nyu.edu