“My Choice” Workshop Brings Together Psychologists from Astana Universities and Colleges

On September 11, 2026, the workshop “My Choice: Prevention of Risky Behavior and Promotion of Psychological Well-Being among Young People” was held in Astana as part of the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Prevention of Suicidal Behavior: Evidence-Based Approaches and Interdisciplinary Models of Care.”

Held at Nazarbayev University, the workshop brought together psychologists from universities and colleges in Astana. It was based on the “My Choice” program, developed at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and piloted between 2023 and 2026. The program focuses on preventing substance use and risky behavior, managing stress and conflict, developing resilience and assertive behavior, and supporting young people facing difficult situations.

The practical format gave participants an opportunity to explore exercises from the program and discuss how they could be used in their work with students. Participants received copies of the “My Choice” manual in Kazakh and Russian as a gift.

The workshop continues KazNU’s collaboration with mental health professionals and non-governmental organizations, bringing together research and practical prevention work with young people.

Workshop facilitators: Zabira Madaliyeva, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Research Professor, and Sandugash Kudaibergenova, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Research Associate Professor, both from the Department of General and Applied Psychology at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

Organizers: Department of General and Applied Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, with the support of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health and the NGO Partners In Health.