KazNU in Action: Addressing the City's Real Challenges
Today, the Department of General and Applied Psychology of our faculty held a workshop for psychologists working in technical and vocational education institutions in Almaty. The workshop focused on the prevention of suicidal behaviour among adolescents and young people.
This work is being implemented not as a one-off event, but as part of a large-scale city programme supported by the Almaty City Administration. From February to May, practice-oriented training sessions for education professionals are being conducted across all districts of the city. Organisational support for this work is provided by the Almaty City Education Department.
The workshop addressed issues that psychologists encounter in their professional practice on an almost daily basis. These included early signs of crisis, risk and protective factors, as well as evidence-based protocols for supporting adolescents and young people. The analysis of real-life cases added particular substantive value, as it is through such practical work that theoretical knowledge gains real-world relevance and becomes a tool for timely professional intervention.
For the department, the workshop programme must be based not on the blind adoption of external models, but on modern scientific approaches and the findings of research conducted by Kazakhstani psychologists. This ensures that the training content is closely aligned with the national educational context, the socio-psychological characteristics of young people, and the practical challenges that specialists on the ground currently face.
The workshop was attended by Saken Zhabbarovich Aralbayev, Head of the Almaty City Education Department. During the meeting, he awarded commendations from the Almaty City Administration and emphasised that such initiatives represent a meaningful example of the tangible contribution made by the academic community of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University to addressing the city's pressing social challenges.
This reflects the university's genuine social role today. When scientific knowledge moves beyond the lecture hall and academic publications, it begins to fulfil a broader function. It not only helps explain complex psychological processes but also contributes to risk prevention, supports practitioners, and facilitates the development of practical solutions that are important for society.
The workshop once again demonstrated the strong demand for meaningful integration between science and practice. When the university, municipal structures, and education professionals work together, the result is not merely a series of events, but a dynamic and professionally responsible support system centred on adolescents and young people.
The Department of General and Applied Psychology extends its gratitude to all participants, colleagues, partners represented by the NGO "Partners for Health", as well as the volunteers involved in this important initiative. For our faculty, this work is not only one of the key areas of activity but also an expression of our professional and civic responsibility to the city, society, and the future of the younger generation.
The organisation of such workshops directly corresponds to the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 "Good Health and Well-being" and Sustainable Development Goal 4 "Quality Education", as it aims to strengthen the mental health of young people, enhance the psychological literacy of professionals, and contribute to the creation of a safer educational environment.
