Embracing the Villanova Counseling Center
By Anne Standfest
Everything to balance in college comes with different emotions for everyone. And it’s totally okay to feel whatever you are feeling while adjusting into your college life. Students sometimes get nervous to take advantage of the resources we have around campus because they don’t want to be seen as needing help. Next time that is a thought in your mind, realize you have the power to change that. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking help within the university and using all of the options available to you. These resources can be extremely helpful to everyone no matter what kind of feelings you are having.
The counseling center is a great way to speak to someone that does not have any bias opinion, and most importantly, it is confidential. It allows you to have a conversation with someone knowing that it will never leave the room. So, if you are feeling like you have no one to talk or if you feel like your friends might tell other people, consider going to the counseling center. You can have a one on one session or even a group session if that is what you are more comfortable with.
Not only can you use the counseling center for those purposes, but the center also hold events and talks that could be more your speed. For example, during midterms and finals, the counseling center brings therapy dogs into the library and other locations around campus for study breaks. This is something I always attend, and it can be extremely helpful for reducing stress. They also hold student discussion meetings, during which every week there is a designated topic. You can speak with other students about topics like first year adjustments, putting yourself out there, and just giving something a shot. Having these kinds of conversations can ease your anxiety or nervousness, and it’s also a great way to meet other people experiencing something very similar. You are not the only one not feeling 100% at college. These discussion meetings are a great way to gain support.
More resources can be found on the counseling center’s website. So, if it’s a day where you don’t feel like getting out of bed (its ok, everyone has been there), check out their website for different posts and articles on mental health. For example, they provide an entire page for suicide prevention including behavioral signs, common comments made by people who commit suicide, common misconceptions, how to get help, and much more. They also include statistics that helps remind you that you are certainly not the only one struggling with mental health.
I encourage you to embrace the counseling center and all it has to offer. There are a tremendous amount of ways that it can be a resource to you, and you are able to make what you want of it. Don’t be afraid to utilize these resources that we have access to as Villanova students.
Free, confidential help is available. Stop by:
Counseling Center
Room 206
Health Services Bldg.
or call 610-519-4050
