We often hear, “It’s okay to not be okay,” but what happens when there are no resources around to help you when you need it? Luckily for Monmouth University students, Counseling and Prevention Services (CPS) is free for any student who seeks someone to talk to about how they are feeling throughout the academic year.
Despite the free services, some students still feel discouraged about utilizing them. Many students need alternative methods of coping with the stressors and anxieties that come along with being a university student, such as completing assignments on time, balancing school, work, and extracurricular activities, or even fitting in with social groups.
Sophomore health studies major and student athlete, Arianna Sparrow, said, “I don’t really feel comfortable putting myself out there and telling a complete stranger about my personal issues.”
Some tend to use other methods of self-care to aid in these college-specific stressors. These can include working out, resting, and hanging out with friends in order to elevate their mental states. However, some students might also need alternate methods when it comes to helping with the long-term effects of mental health issues.
Monmouth University Director of Counseling and Prevention Services, Christopher Mckittrick, said, “Having good friends and good family that are validating, empathetic, and can help is awesome, but if they are not there or not accessible, and do not provide the best guidance, that is where a counselor can step in.”
Sophomore psychology major and student athlete, Taliyah Furtick, shared, “Going to counseling helped me get more organized, not only in my personal life, but with school as well. Managing academics and athletics, as well as extracurriculars can get pretty stressful, so it was nice to be able to go to someone with my concerns and work out ways to organize everything I have to do on a daily basis.”
Not only is counseling beneficial in the emotional aspect, but it is effective in helping students organize their lives in order to make the most out of their college experience. CPS can help in various aspects of a student’s day-to-day life and academic career, not just their emotional state.
According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, every 1 in 3 students experience symptoms of severe anxiety and depression—a number that increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Young adults are pushed to be their best from a very young age, without always having the necessary tools to do so, and this pressure builds up more and more as time goes on— especially once students enter their collegiate years. Additionally, lots of students are left learning vital life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, money and time management once they are in their adulthood, which adds to an already-stressful situation.
Mckittrick stated, “Having somebody who’s there that can give objective feedback so that the student can use that to help guide future behaviors or process previous experiences; it’s all about whatever the student wants or needs.”
In order to receive help and gain the support that every college student needs, the student first has to be willing and able to speak up for themselves. There are several steps one can take to begin getting needed support. First is knowing when you need help, and where to go to receive that help is important. Next is knowing what signs to look for that signify a need for counseling.
CPS often assists those who are struggling with certain issues such as anxiety, self-esteem, stress-management, gender identity, relationship issues, and financial stress. If you experience any of these symptoms or are worried about a friend going through a hard time you can get in contact with CPS by calling (732)-571-7517 or stopping by their office on the third floor of the Student Center to make an appointment.
Being a college student is hard work—harder than most people may care to admit. It is not all parties, social events, and football games. The hard work and excessive amounts of time spent on school work can take a toll on students’ mental health at some point or another.
Whether the stresses of college are becoming too much to bear alone, or you simply need an objective and honest voice of reasoning in your life, Monmouth’s free counseling services are always ready and waiting for any student.
