It’s difficult to balance everything while staying physically healthy, not to mention mentally healthy. Most of the time we put our mental health on the backburner, thinking it is nonessential and we are too busy to worry about it. Between practice, club meetings, homework and class, we barely have time to eat and sleep. However, mental health is integral to our overall health, and we need to spend some serious time maintaining it.
Here at Conn, we are lucky enough to have supportive Student Counseling Services (SCS). About 25% of our student population attends counseling, and by graduation approximately 50% of students will have been to SCS at some point during their four years at Conn. SCS is composed of a group of seven highly-trained directors, counselors and consulting psychiatrists, as well as three doctoral level practicum students in psychology.
Members of SCS prioritize the emotional and mental health of each student, and they are here to support us all through any challenge we may face. As Director of Student Counseling Services Janet Spoltore explained, “We want everyone to have an equal chance.”
As many members of the Conn community know, SCS increased counseling hours this semester. This change was prompted mainly by a greater need for counseling services, which not only Conn experienced. Spoltore commented, “There has been a change in the culture of mental health on college c ampuses.” The demand for services like SCS has increased across the country because more college students understand the importance of mental health.
At Conn, SCS has made an effort to increase the number of hours available over the years, and the senior administration has been generally supportive. In addition to offering 30 extra hours, Spoltore and the other members of SCS are working to get approval to fill two more positions for postdoctoral fellows in psychology. These positions will specialize in multicultural mental health, as well as substance abuse, wellness and mindfulness.
We have numerous resources on campus that focus on our mental wellbeing. In addition to SCS, CC Curtiss, Director of Student Wellness and Alcohol/Other Drug Education, is more than willing to speak with students about their overall health and wellness. She serves as a referral source, working closely with SCS to give students whatever support they may need.
Curtiss explained, “There is a difference between making it through the day and really thriving.”
Unfortunately, a stigma often surrounds mental health issues and deters some students from seeking help. Active Minds, a student group, fights this stigma and serves as a proponent of mental health on campus.
Spoltore explained that the importance of mental health “hasn’t been consistently supported.” People worry more about the physical ailments that they can see, like when they get sick, but mental illnesses are no less harmful. Connecticut College is a typically healthy school where most students take care of themselves, and this care should include our overall wellbeing—mind, body and soul.
SCS is a great place to go for those who need to speak with someone completely unbiased and detached from their personal lives. The main goal of SCS is to support students and create a positive, healthy lifestyle at Conn and in life beyond college.
SCS is an incredible resource for any and every student. Tragedy happens. Misjudgment happens. Life happens. Sometimes we all need an extra push back in the right direction to take care of our mental health. We are extremely as busy college students, but no matter how busy we are, our health should come first. I encourage everyone to have even just one meeting at SCS because it will do nothing but good, whether you are really struggling or just need to talk.
Let’s end the stigma around mental health and take care of our minds as much as we take care of our bodies. Connecticut College Counseling Services is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30am-6pm, Tuesday 8:30am-7pm and Friday 8:30am-5pm. They can be reached by emailing SCS@conncoll.edu or at (860)-447-4587. •
