Listen Here
By Tori Tiell, Tiellv@findlay.edu
With the first semester ending soon, the feeling of stress is very common among students.
If a student needs help or someone to talk to, free counseling is offered for University of Findlay students at 307 Frazer St. and online for 12 sessions with TimelyCare. If a student is worried about harming themselves or others, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 988.
Studies have shown that upwards of 75% of students have faced periods of mental health struggles and resist reaching out for help. Blair Depinet, a freshman business major at UF, says that she is reluctant to reach out to counseling services because she feels that others may need the help more than her.
“I feel like, personally, I would feel too embarrassed or like my problems aren’t as important as everybody else’s. I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking the time away from somebody who may need it more than me,” Depinet said. “I try to figure things out on my own first because I don’t want to feel like a burden to everybody else.”
Morgan Allman, the mental health chair for UF’s Greek sorority Sigma Kappa, says that people do not want to admit they are struggling due to embarrassment or the stigma on the topic.
“I think most people do not want to admit out loud that they are struggling with their mental health, especially since it can be a sort of taboo subject,” Allman said. “When it comes to addressing a topic like depression, anxiety, etc., there’s a certain fear or embarrassment that often comes with it. Others may not comprehend what feelings you’re currently experiencing, which can be super frustrating to try and explain.”
Reaching out for help can be intimidating at first. Meetings with licensed professional counselors are completely confidential, with the exception of hurting yourself or others. Getting help is a step towards personal growth.
Jodi Firsdon, the senior director of counseling services at UF, says there is never a time to be afraid to ask for help
“If you are feeling like you would like someone to talk to, then talk with a counselor. Counseling Services offers walk-in hours every Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and Friday from 9-10:30 a.m.,” Firsdon Said. “Students are able to come in with no appointment during these hours for a short consultation. This is a good time to talk with someone to see if they would like to set up ongoing counseling.”
UF counseling services also offer free, online mental health screenings that are available at all hours of every day. These screenings can help determine if behaviors and thoughts are associated with a mental health issue. They are anonymous and do not ask for any personal information.
Firsdon says the first step to coping with feeling stressed or overwhelmed is pretty simple.
“Start with getting adequate amounts of sleep, water, and food. You will be more productive if you are taking care of yourself,” Firsdon said. “Utilize coping skills to manage stress, such as deep breathing, journaling, meditation, and exercise. Any positive behavior that helps to recharge a person could be useful.”
According to Cleveland Clinic, everyone has different coping techniques; coping is a flexible process shaped by individual personality, where adapting strategies to fit specific situations is generally more effective than rigidly sticking to one approach.
Some of the common coping techniques are to partake in stress-reducing activities: good quality sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, timeouts throughout the day, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and doing pleasurable or fun activities.
Depinet says during stressful times (anxiety spells, upcoming exams, assignments/deadlines) the easiest way for her to disconnect and focus on self-care is to go on a drive.
“I have nothing to focus on except the road and where I plan on going,” Depinet said. “I’m not fully thinking about everything in life that seems like it’s falling apart.”
