An exploratory conversation partner
The student humanist is a new, open-to-all conversation service for UiA students, similar to the student chaplain, but without any religious affiliation. The position is funded by the Humanist Association of Norway and is part of UiA’s Resource Centre.
“A humanist is someone who identifies with a tradition of thought that places people and human dignity at the centre,” Ullestad explains.
Ullestad emphasises that anyone, regardless of their beliefs or religion, can have a conversation with him.
“It should be an open and safe conversation. A place where you can air your thoughts or share things you have experienced. I want to be someone you can talk to and explore what feels important right now. It could be about friendship, loneliness, love or decisions you have to make,” he says.
Space to talk about anything
Not everyone knows what they want to say in such a conversation, and according to Ullestad, that is perfectly fine.
“You don’t necessarily need to know what you need to talk about. You may simply be feeling uneasy, or that you’re not quite yourself. The solution may not lie with me, but it can be a place to talk and hear yourself say something out loud. Often, that can help things suddenly become clearer.”
Ullestad’s background
Ullestad has worked as a priest for many years and has also served as a prison chaplain. He has now left that role behind.
“The fact that I have been a priest is a great resource for me. I know the religious tradition, and that is something not all secular people are familiar with. Many people have grown up with religion or spent time in a religious environment. I can relate to that. I was deeply religious myself,” he says.
He has gone through major changes and difficult choices of his own, which has given him a desire and an interest in helping others who are facing difficult questions about life.
“Sometimes it feels like a sense of unease. We are heading somewhere, but we don’t quite know where. That can be frightening, but it can also potentially contain an opportunity – a new beginning?” Ullestad says.
Neither diagnosis nor records
Although the conversations may cover many of the same topics as those discussed with a psychologist, there is a clear difference in what the service actually involves.
“The conversation with a student humanist and a psychologist can be quite similar. Conversations about life, feelings, worries and thoughts that won’t go away. But we don’t provide treatment, and we don’t carry out assessments or diagnoses. We don’t keep records. It is a more open and exploratory conversation where we act as sounding boards,” Ullestad says.
The student humanist is bound by a duty of confidentiality, but cannot refer students on in the same way as a doctor or psychologist. If it is clear that a student needs an assessment or help from a psychologist, Ullestad will recommend that they speak to SiA Health or seek other mental health support.