Mental Health
Counseling Services: Counseling services help students with their problems and personal concerns so they can meet the daily challenges of college life. Staffed by mental health professionals, these services are provided at no cost to currently enrolled students. Services are confidential and private. Ethical guidelines and laws protect your privacy and assure quality services.
Many people with mental health problems fail to seek help because of the shame and stigma associated with treatment of mental health issues. Mental health issues have complex causes--often a mix of your genetics, your biology, and your life experiences—most of which are beyond your control but can be treated allowing you to live a healthy and productive life.
Remember, mental health problems are medical conditions -- it is not your fault and effective treatments are available that can help you!
http://stopstigma.samhsa.gov/NASC/default.aspx (stigma associated with mental health) http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/disorders-and-treatment (mental health disorders)
Offices are located in Student Health Services in Cortez Hall #237. Feel free to walk in or call to schedule an appointment for counseling services. Counseling services are provided Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, contact Student Health Services, call (956) 882-8951.
Students in Crisis – What to do after Hours: If you feel that you may be in danger of self-harm or of harming someone else and it is after normal business hours, following are some resources for help:
- Emergency 9-1-1
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Individual Counseling: In a trusting and confidential setting, a student may wish to examine issues such as gaining independence, managing relationships, or balancing stressors. Other students struggle with severe problems stemming from childhood, critical life events such as a loss, trauma, or with finding meaning and fulfillment in their lives. Some students also struggle with issues regarding sexual orientation and others with recent post-traumatic stress disorders. There are also students with mental health symptoms related to their experiences in the military.
Couples Counseling: Counselors will help you and your partner examine your relationship with the goal of making it healthier. The focus of relationship counseling may be on improving communications, problem-solving, or finding solutions to difficult questions and conflicts.
Relationship counseling is available for mixed gender or same-sex couples, roommates, and can include premarital, marital, or divorce counseling. You and your partner may receive relationship counseling if you are at least 18 years of age and if at least one of you is a currently enrolled student.
Problems of daily living: The stressors of daily life can sometimes be overwhelming and exhausting. It is beneficial to have someone to talk to about the things that affect you on a daily basis (from schoolwork and bills to relationships and family issues) and to educate you on how to cope more effectively.
Adjustment to College Life: For many students, this may be their first time away from home or they may have the added pressure of being the first member of their family to attend college. A counselor can assist you with learning ways to manage your time, emotions, and stress level.
http://www.csuchico.edu/wellness/resources/documents/College%20Adjustment.pdf
Stress: Life can be stressful, and a counselor can help you learn healthy ways to manage your stress. Effective time management, goal setting, and positive thoughts can help a student reduce their stress level and improve their focus on academics.
http://princetonreview.com/college/research/articles/life/stress2.asp (stress among college students)
Depression: Many kinds of stressors can trigger depression, including relationship breakups, experiences of failure or loss, or the stress of adjusting to a new environment, such as college. Talk to a counselor about the differences between “normal” adjustment difficulties and the signs of a more serious form of clinical depression.
Symptoms of depression include the following: feeling depressed most of the day, irritability, insomnia, loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal, missing class, low self-esteem, and recurrent thoughts of death.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm (depression)
Anxiety: Everyone worries about some of the aspects of their lives, both personally and academically. Excessive worry about everyday problems may indicate the need to speak to a counselor.
Symptoms of anxiety include the following: unrealistic or excessive worry or fears, sleep disturbances, ritualistic behaviors (i.e. excessive hand washing, counting things), shakiness, racing or pounding heart, high pulse, and muscle aches or tension.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm (anxiety)
Relationships: The quality of our relationships affects our lives, including our self-esteem, our ability to handle stress, and our academic productivity. Talk to a counselor about the healthy aspects of a relationship and how to improve communication skills.
http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/top10Topics/relationships/default.html (relationships)
Domestic violence: Talk to a counselor about the possibility that you are in an unhealthy or unsafe relationship. If you are suffering from domestic violence, a counselor can connect you to local resources and help you to address your emotions and hesitation about leaving that relationship.
http://www.domesticviolence.org/definition/ (domestic violence)
Family problems: Sometimes our interactions with family members leave us feeling stressed and frustrated. Often, lack of emotional support and a history of poor communication need to be addressed with a counselor to understand and improve family dynamics.
http://www.aamft.org/families/index_nm.asp
Post-traumatic stress disorder: PTSD can result from experiencing, witnessing or participating in an overwhelmingly traumatic event. Often, people with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can also be caused by sexual abuse. Sexual abuse and victimization can lead to overwhelming feelings of shame, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, guilt, and worthlessness. Counseling can help to regain a sense of self-esteem, cope with feelings of depression and guilt, and begin the process of healing.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/posttraumaticstressdisorder.html (post-traumatic stress disorder)
Suicidal ideations: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. It is often the result of immense psychological discomfort. Most people who experience suicidal thoughts at one point in time move past the experience and lead a normal life.
Some of the warning signs that a friend or loved one may be suicidal include the following: depression, social isolation, direct or indirect statements about suicide or hopelessness, history of previous attempt, change in the person’s usual pattern of behavior, and giving away possessions. If you feel suicidal, please know that you are not alone, and please get help.
If you are in crisis after 5:00 p.m. or during the weekend, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 911.
http://www.suicide.org/people-with-depression-cannot-snap-out-of-it.html (suicide and depression)
Psychiatric evaluations and medications: Psychiatric evaluation and medications may be necessary in some cases to address symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Seeking this care in a timely manner is important and can improve the quality of your life. Mental health issues are treatable and with this support, people are able to function normally in their lives and progress as they did before. We want to help you maintain your mental health.
http://www.healthyplace.com/site/psychiatric_medications.asp (psychiatric medications)
Psychological assessments: Psychological assessments are available to support diagnostic evaluations and also for learning disabilities. Ongoing evaluations are also conducted to monitor therapeutic progress and outcome.
Referral to other mental health agencies: Counselors are available to assist with referrals to other private and state offices in the community to address a variety of issues including domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health treatment.
Telephone numbers that might be helpful to you:
- Family Crisis Center (956) 423-9304
- Friendship of Women, Inc. (956) 544-7412
- Palmer Drug Abuse Program (956) 544-3333
- Tropical Texas Center for MHMR (956) 546-2230
- Planned Parenthood (956) 544-2723
- Alcoholics Anonymous (956) 544-8530
- Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-5400