PUAM Turns 5

Izmir University of Economics Psychology Application and Research Center (PUAM) celebrated its 5th anniversary with a special ceremony. Over the past five years, PUAM has supported residents of Izmir on issues such as anxiety disorders, relational problems, and depression, providing services to 780 individuals and conducting a total of 6,207 sessions. The anniversary ceremony was attended by our Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu, Former Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Aslı Ceylan Öner, PUAM Advisory Board Member Specialist Psychologist Ayşe Özgener, PUAM Director Dr. Yasemin Meral Öğütçü, our academics, students, alumni, and other guests. The event continued with presentations about the center's achievements to date and its future goals.

PUAM Director Dr. Yasemin Meral Öğütçü emphasized that the center successfully fulfills its mission of providing accessible psychological support to individuals while also training ethical and qualified clinical psychologists. Dr. Öğütçü stated, “Mental health is as important as physical health, and access to these services should be a fundamental right for everyone. At PUAM, we are proud not only to support our clients but also to provide our students with quality education opportunities under the supervision of experienced professionals.” She highlighted PUAM’s ongoing commitment to contributing to the mental well-being of society and stressed that the center's success is the result of dedicated teamwork.

In addition to offering individual support, PUAM plays a leading role in community awareness projects and scientific research. The center provides practical training opportunities for students in clinical psychology, offering both academic and hands-on learning environments to cultivate the next generation of qualified professionals. The success of PUAM's five-year efforts underscores its positive impact on society's mental health. Looking ahead, PUAM aims to reach a broader audience and expand its network of services in the coming years.