The Benefit of College Campus Counseling Services

The most challenging part of college for me was balancing my studies with my on-going mental health struggles. In the winter, I often faced seasonal affective disorder and depressive symptoms, and around exam time, my anxiety shot through the roof. One campus resource I could have used more frequently was the Counseling Services on my campus.

Counseling services on college campuses play a vital role in supporting student mental health and overall well-being. These services provide a safe and confidential space where students can address their emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. Here are some key benefits of counseling services in a college setting:

1. Emotional Support: College life can be a time of significant transition, filled with academic pressures, social changes, and personal growth. Counseling services offer a support system for students to express their emotions, fears, and anxieties, helping them cope with these challenges effectively.

2. Stress Reduction: College students often experience high levels of stress due to academic demands and personal responsibilities. Counseling can provide stress management techniques, time management strategies, and relaxation exercises to help students reduce stress and maintain a healthy balance.

3. Improved Academic Performance: When students face mental health issues, their academic performance can suffer. Counseling services assist in addressing underlying issues that may be affecting a student's ability to focus, study, or attend classes regularly. By addressing these challenges, students can improve their academic performance.

4. Mental Health Awareness: College counseling services raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce the stigma surrounding seeking help. When students see their peers utilizing these services, it can encourage them to seek support when needed.

5. Crisis Intervention: In critical situations, such as suicidal ideation or severe mental health crises, college counseling services offer immediate intervention and referral to ensure the safety of students. This can be life-saving in some cases.

6. Personal Growth and Development: Counseling services help students develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and conflict resolution. This personal development contributes to a well-rounded education and equips students with tools they can use throughout their lives.

7. Better Relationships: Improved mental health often leads to healthier relationships. College counseling can address relationship issues, helping students navigate friendships, romantic partnerships, and family dynamics.

8. Future Success: A student's mental health during their college years can have a lasting impact on their future success. Counseling services offer the guidance and resources needed to overcome obstacles and develop resilience, which can benefit students in their careers and personal lives beyond college.

9. Preventing Mental Health Crises: By addressing mental health issues early on, counseling services can prevent minor problems from escalating into more severe conditions, ultimately reducing the long-term burden on both the students and the institution.

In conclusion, counseling services on college campuses are essential for student mental health. They provide a crucial support system that fosters emotional well-being, reduces stress, improves academic performance, raises mental health awareness, and equips students with the skills they need for personal growth and future success. By promoting a culture of mental health and providing readily accessible counseling services, colleges can contribute to the overall well-being and success of their students.

If you’re finding that you are unable to access the counseling services on your college campus, you may want to consider additional support from an external provider such as myself. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support; I offer free consultation calls, and we can chat about whether or not my approach is a fit for your therapeutic needs.

Emily is a therapist who specializes in working with mental health in young adults — specifically in college students, graduate students, and young professionals undergoing stress, depression, and anxiety. With over ten years of working with students of all ages, from international high school students to college students and to adult English learners, Emily understands the unique challenges that high achieving individuals face when it comes to balancing their mental health and prioritizing their goals. From balancing the demands of her own educational and career journey to navigating the changes and transitions that come with each stage of adulthood, she provides a compassionate and non-judgmental space for early adults, young professionals, and college students to explore their feelings and experiences while learning skills and strategies to support their mental health and overall wellbeing. 

Emily’s approach is rooted in evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and motivational interview (MI) while using a trauma-informed feminist lens. Emily is dedicated to empowering individuals better understand their mental health, learn to cope with the ups and downs, and understand their sense of purpose.