The Second Step – Seek Support
Did you know…? Even though nearly half of college students say they are aware of mental-health resources on their campuses, only 20 percent admit they would use those services. And in the last decade, colleges and universities have expanded their mental health resources for students in response to greater demand for counseling services. Providing crucial help for students translates into improved academic performance and a more harmonious campus environment. Don’t mess with stress. Check out your campus counseling services to see what they provide.
Visit their web page. Learn about making appointments and taking advantage of walk-in hours, and the range of services they provide. Among the useful info you’ll see may be online resources that list hotlines, chat rooms and blogs, and links informing students about a variety of resources. A talk with a counselor – completely confidential – can help you cope.
Visit the Center. Many schools devote an entire building to health and wellness – that’s how important you are. Even smaller campuses can offer and recommend a surprisingly comprehensive range of resources, such as:
- Assessment of needs
- Crisis counseling
- Individual counseling
- Support groups and group counseling sessions
- Peer education
- Phone consultations
- Grief counseling
- Health fairs
- Spiritual outlets – spiritual-interest student organizations and places of worship
- Suicide prevention
- Workshops on stress management, crisis intervention, and others
You might be asked to complete some forms, such as a confidentiality statement, a personal information sheet, a consent form for counseling, and an authorization to release information.