By KIRA HINTON/Contributor
Midterms, projects, assignments, studying, finals, work, family, sports, eating and sleeping.
Repeat.
These are plans on students’ minds every day.
“The workload is a lot to juggle between staying organized and prioritizing what I need to do and when I need to do it by as well as just getting everything done is what stresses me out the most,” Ellie Vallery, a junior mass communications major, said.
UT Tyler provides resources to help students. These include mental health care, general health information, financial wellness and fitness, which promote well-being and health.
“I think it’s incredibly important for students to have conversations about mental health among themselves,” Melinda Galindo, a sophomore mass communications major, said. “When students share their experiences or struggles, it normalizes the conversation and encourages others to speak up. By discussing mental health openly, students can gain a better understanding of what mental health issues look like, what causes them and how to manage or support others who are going through difficult times.”
RESOURCES
The Student Counseling Center offers professional counseling, outreach, training and consultation, the UT Tyler website said.
“The Counseling Center that’s free for students is such a big step,” Natalie Hernandez, a senior health science major, said. “I see UT Tyler always doing events surrounding mental health, like destress events, and I’d say we’ve come a long way in advocating for mental health.”
The Student Counseling Center offers in-person counseling, 24/7 online services and a center for students in recovery. The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or students can call the 24/7 crisis line at 903-566-7254.
Students can request a “One-at-a-time” same-day appointment through UT Tyler’s online platform, by calling the main office number 903-565-5746, or by walking in to UC 3170, according to the website.
The Counseling Center has partnered with TimelyCare, a confidential service that provides online mental health counseling, health coaching, psychiatry and self-help resources to all students 24/7. To register, go to timelycare.com/uttyler or download the app on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
In addition, the university’s Wellness Center offers self-care activities, such as massage chairs, to help manage stress.
“I have used some of the mental health resources that are available on campus,” Vallery said. “It took me some time to convince myself to go, but it was worth it in the end as it allowed me to talk about how I was feeling to others rather than keeping it to myself.”
SEEKING HELP
Some barriers prevent students from seeking help.
“A lot of students right now don’t have time to squeeze in an appointment,” Hernandez said. “Also, the counseling center right now has a waitlist, so it’s common for students to feel discouraged after being put on a waitlist.”
Students can also struggle with perception and other personal issues.
“Students worry about how their peers, professors or family members will react because they fear being judged,” Galindo said. “Some students, especially those from low-income backgrounds or those living off-campus, may struggle to access mental health services due to financial constraints or transportation issues.”
Many students feel asking for help is beneficial for those struggling with mental health, even though if it means overcoming obstacles.
“Keeping things to yourself doesn’t do you any good,” Kailey Manes, a sophomore mass
communications major, said. “I understand that sometimes they don’t want to be a burden to others, but expressing how you feel could help not only yourself but others as well.”
MANAGING STRESS
There are other ways to manage stress for those who do not want to use the Counseling Center.
“I make time at the end of my days after doing all my work to relax and try to get all my work done so I can relax on the weekends when I don’t have exams,” Hernandez said. Students can put time aside to focus on personal activities and hobbies, which could help positively manage stress.
Manes has a different method for reducing stress.
“When I am feeling stressed, being alone at a coffee shop or in my room in my dorm helps me avoid being distracted the most, as well as listening to music,” Manes said.
Sometimes, even stepping away from the issue itself can help dissolve some feelings of stress.
“When I am the most stressed and need to take a break, I like to go for a drive,” Vallery said. “I’ll either go to get coffee or go to Walmart. Even though it is only for a few minutes, it gives me a chance to go off campus and breathe.”
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