By DAMARIS AVILA/ Talon Contributor
According to the Healthy Minds Study, “More than 60% of students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, during the 2020-2021 school year.”
Some students may not know where to seek help, while others struggle with confiding in others.
“I think it’s more just because they’re probably not comfortable with talking to someone that they don’t really know,” Giselle Hernandez, a psychology student, said.
Some students, especially those new to campus, may not be aware of the counseling services at UT Tyler.
“There needs to be a better way to communicate that those services are available rather than doing it through e-mail or syllabus, because most students probably don’t check their e-mail that often or read the syllabus,” Hernandez said.
Counseling services at UT Tyler hold events throughout the semester.
“We attend the orientations to inform the students that we’re here for them, we do Wellness Wednesdays and Stress Fest before finals,” Licensed Professional Counselor Gilberto Mendoza said.
Counseling services help students in times of need. It starts with a single session.
“You sit down, y’all you go through whatever the issues you’re facing for that day, and then if the counselor can help with some sort of intervention at that moment, they will,” Mendoza said.
SOCIAL-FOCUSED THERAPY
Because of the high need for counselors, the counseling center implemented solution-focused therapy.
“We try to focus on the solution and see if we can help them in a single session,” Mendoza said.
Some students need support that goes beyond a single session.
“If during that time we feel like the client needs ongoing counseling, we put them with a therapist, a full-time therapist, or an intern depending on their need,” Mendoza said.
Some students may have a conflict with going in-person, and prefer to do a session virtually.
“You download the MySSP app, it’s all free, and you connect with a licensed professional counselor, The only difference with MySSP is that it’s virtual,” Mendoza said.
Along with therapy sessions, joining student organizations can greatly benefit one’s life.
“It gives you the support, it also gives you being able to socialize, and at the same time you’re able to kind of find yourself,” said Mendoza.
Counseling services are offered Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in UC 3170 for students seeking emotional support.
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