For many students, college plays a role in their mental health. Transition from high school and living with parents to new-found independence, new people, and harder classes can cause stress. These major life changes can leave one feeling anxious and depressed.
During an interview with a junior Kaci Chrnalogar, she said that school-related stress often follows her outside the classroom, even during time spent with family. “Yes, it makes it hard to think about things not related to school. Hanging out with my mom watching TV, then I think about something school related- like ‘Oh this is due,’ or ‘I need to get that done.’” Chrnalogar says that to help her mental health she uses distractions like reading or watching TV.
PLU has resources to help with mental health such as Wellbeing Services and Resources
(WSR), located in Hong Hall. Some of those resources are licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapy associates, and a nurse practitioner.
Master’s in Social Work fellow Logan Denen discusses how he helps students, explaining, “I think a lot about a student who comes to me feeling really stressed because of xyz and then we realize they haven’t eaten a lot lately, not sleeping very well and are struggling to pay attention in class. Coming in and seeing me for mental health and behavioral health also means you’re seeing all of our team, and we find a lot of benefits in uplifting students in that kind of way.”
Director for Accessibility and Wellbeing Resources, Austin Beierman, reflected on how mental health resources are vital to student success. “I get the opportunity every day to come to work and think about how I can help students on an individual level experience and what I and my colleagues in the university can do to lift barriers, ideally proactively, before the student faces them.”
Furthermore, Beiermann explains that technology is a big factor in mental health detracting. According to Beiermann, “There’s no real room for rest so when that opportunity presents itself, people pull out their phones and are exposed to some of the worst things going on in the world. Dopamine hits through social media and plays a huge role in mental health declining.” Beiermann’s advice is to find people or places where you can be your authentic self.
Mental health challenges are common among college students, often impacted by academic pressure and uncertainty about the future. PLU offers a variety of resources designed to support students’ mental health and wellbeing. Seeking help is a vital step that students should never feel ashamed of taking. WSR has all the resources students might need to navigate their health. There is open availability for students to have counseling services.
They also have an app called Timelycare where students have access to counselors and physicians 24/7. Denen’s advice is to come to Hong Hall. They have dogs, board games, and arts and crafts. You can follow WSR on Instagram @plu_wsr and you can email them at health@plu.edu or counseling@plu.edu.
