Mental Health Month: ‘You’re Not Alone’
View(s):The University isn’t easy. And for many students, classes and studying are just one part of their lives. Work, family and other obligations also claim time and energy.
College students in particular can struggle to find balance between the demands of academics, work and family; too often, self-care is the first thing to be sacrificed.
The good news, though, is that more students are looking for help when they need it, says Armando Zaragoza, a graduating psychology major at California State University San Marcos. “I’m seeing more students, faculty and staff talking about mental health,” says Zaragoza, who has spent five years working to raise awareness of mental health issues and improve access to both campus and community resources.
Putting a Stop to Stigma
That said, for some students there remains a stigma about seeking help for paralyzing anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, the stress of housing and/or food insecurity, sexual violence or other trauma, or a substance abuse problem.
“For our underrepresented students, they may come from a culture where seeking services are discouraged or told that these services are not appropriate,” notes Dr. Nicholson. “Some students may not have support from home to seek support. Some may also fear that information regarding a visit to a therapist would get back to their family, for example.”
At California State University, Fresno, a three-year-old programme with a straightforward two-word title—“Let’s Talk”—has proved to be a success in breaking down some of these barriers, as well as a helpful complement to traditional counseling.
“Students meet a licensed counselor outside the health centre, in a faculty office,” explains Malia Sherman, Psy.D., Director of Counselling and Psychological Services at Fresno State. “It’s more anonymous and students don’t need to complete any forms or schedule a visit.” Let’s Talk is offered at Fresno State from Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the academic year, as well as at CSU Monterey Bay, CSUN, Sacramento State, San Diego State, San Francisco State and San Jose State.
All 23 CSU campuses have a mental health and counseling service center, which is sometimes integrated into the campus health center and sometimes separate.
If you’re a student who’s having difficulty managing stress, depression, anxiety or another issue, don’t hesitate to take advantage of what your campus has to offer, she adds. In addition to traditional one-on-one counselling and groups that offer support, “all CSU campuses are moving toward offering more holistic care,” Sherman says. These include workshops on time management, good nutrition, healthy cooking, the benefits of exercise, meditation and mindfulness, and more.
You’re not alone at Cal State
That’s the message Zaragoza wants to emphasize over all others, too: “You’re not alone,” he stresses. “Everyone deals with a mental health challenge and it’s okay to seek help. Other students have benefitted from resources. Your campus community is there to support you.”
Meeting your needs
Through NCHS, Sri Lanka, students can select to enroll in a Cal State university of their choice through the array of partner universities available only at NCHS. Partner universities include the California State University Monterey Bay, California State University San Marcos, California State University Bakersfield, California State University Sacramento, California State University Northridge, California State University Fresno, California State University Humboldt and the State University of New York at Albany.
Nawaloka College of Higher Studies, Colombo
Located in the heart of Colombo 03, NCHS offers the best facilities which include purpose-built engineering and computer laboratories, a resource-oriented library, study areas and ample parking space and reputed academics to administer the programmes. The American Curriculum for general education, delivered for pathway programmes conducted at NCHS are equal standard and quality as that at CSU.
In order to give other options to students, NCHS also offers pathway programmes from the Swinburne University of Technology (Australia and Malaysia), as well as Ulster University, UK.
Student loan facilities at special interest rates are also on offer to help students pursue their higher education at NCHS.
If you wish to maximize on this fabulous opportunity and be a part of the prestigious degree pathway programmes at NCHS, call 0777 799 997/ 011 5 899 998 or email info@nchs.edu.lk for more information.