By Julia Knight, Staff
Just two weeks into the semester, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor counseling center is bustling with students. Depression and anxiety levels are often heightened during college and Karen Dubroc, the director of student counseling services at UMHB, confirmed that this is true for the Cru.
The counseling office has had more intakes -students seeking help and advice - in this semester’s first two weeks than in prior years past. Despite having over twice as many students accessing counseling services, the issues often follow themes common to students. Many issues arise from where a student is on their university journey.
First-year students are faced with adopting new goals in college for the first time. They are anxious about leaving their homes for the first time and taking a step into this new chapter of their lives, all while having to find a balance in life and school and having to learn to live on their own.
Seniors in college know the ins and outs of college life - but are anxious about leaving behind four years of friendships, loved ones, and professors, and entering the real world. “There is a bittersweetness feeling among seniors,” she said, “and there is a sense of stressful urgency trying to finish everything before the deadlines, and a feeling of ‘how do I let go?"
In 2023, a study from The Healthy Minds Study, of over 55,000 American university students was conducted, and it was found that 76% were experiencing moderate to severe psychological distress. Among those numbers, 31% met the criteria for suicidal ideation, and 3% reported attempting suicide in the past year.
Dubroc and her team have set up many events to help students embrace good mental health this semester. Dubroc has an event planned for any student willing to come on campus and learn more about counseling services and how they are here to help the students. Dubroc's plans focus on students who might resist formal help. Dubroc hopes to “Lessen the stigma around counseling and normalize it more on campus.”
The events that the counseling center is doing do not end in September. In October, the counseling center is hosting a domestic violence prevention event on campus. Along with these events, there is also going to be a “Donut Stress” event in November. The counseling center also has events in mind to reach the athletes on campus. Dubroc strives to “maximize mental toughness” in all students, but especially in athletes.
All these events bring awareness and hope to students struggling on campus. By speaking directly to classes and teams on campus, the counseling center hopes to lower the suicide and mental illness rates.
To schedule an appointment with a UMHB counselor, visit www.umhb.edu/resources/counseling/home and fill out a counseling intake form. The center is available to any student and will work to make your time at UMHB the best and most memorable for your college years.
To Learn More Visit: https://healthymindsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HMS_National-Report-2022-2023_full.pdf
