College can be overwhelming. Students often struggle to balance school, work and social aspects of life. Every individual has different tolerance levels when it comes to stress; however, it is equally essential to take care of one’s mental health. 

Dr. John Friend, a licensed psychologist and the director of the University Counseling and Wellness Center at South, recommends that students look back on the semester and find areas of growth and improvement.

“Instead of beating yourself up for not having it all together or not reaching some of your goals, look at what you did well, what you can improve on and remind yourself that you are a work in progress,” said Friend.

In addition to establishing a practice of self care, Friend also emphasized the importance of treating oneself with kindness.

“Be kind to yourself when you struggle,” said Friend. “One tip is to ask yourself what you would say to a friend who is struggling with the same things you are and say that to yourself.”

Friend expressed that not everyone needs counseling, but if the typical methods of coping are no longer working, then reaching out for help should be the next step.

Skepticism is normal when wondering if it is appropriate to speak with a counselor. “There are a lot of misconceptions, so the first step is to get accurate information,” said Friend, “Two common misconceptions are that counseling is expensive and that it is part of your academic record. If you are an enrolled student, counseling is free and completely confidential – not part of your academic record.”

There are two main reasons why it is important to focus on mental health. Both performance and overall health depends on it.

“Our mental health impacts our physical health. When stress is not taken care of in an appropriate way, it can often lead to health problems. If you are struggling with your mental health, often the result is a lack of motivation, concentration and focus. All of which negatively impact academic performance,” said Friend.

There are multiple ways to schedule an appointment to receive counseling at South. Students can either walk in or call the counseling center at 251-460-7051. The student will then speak to the Center’s secretary, Amanda Meyers, who will schedule an initial consultation where students will speak with a counselor and make a plan for addressing the student’s concerns. 

The counselors at the Center specialize in a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, family-of-origin issues, relationship conflicts, college adjustment, self-esteem and disordered eating.

The Center is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, if a student is in crisis after business hours or on the weekend, they can contact the USA campus police, who can work with the Center’s on-call counselor to provide appropriate assistance. 

Students can also access “Togetherall,” an online, 24/7 peer support community comprised of college students nationwide. Students can access Togetherall, along with other resources, on the University Counseling and Wellness Center’s website.

“If there is anything that’s getting in the way of being successful on campus or keeping [students] from reaching their goals, we can help,” said Friend.