Do you feel like your mental health is affecting the way you function in your day to day life? Are you struggling with the transition to college, or just need someone to talk to? At Daytona State College, there are plenty of resources that can help you. It is important to mention that it is not necessary to have received a diagnosis of mental illness to benefit from these services.
At the Counseling and Accessibility Services Center, which is located on each campus, you can make an appointment with a counselor or drop by and talk to someone on site. The planning process is entirely up to you, and counselors are ready to work with your daily schedule. Contrary to popular belief, all sessions are free and of short duration.
If you and your counselor discuss your need for long-term assistance, they may offer you a referral to someone who can meet your needs both mentally and financially. Advisor Micheal Abrahams said: “Sometimes if the student already has health insurance, we can find a provider within their health insurance network, or we know of community providers who offer a sliding scale.” A sliding scale depends on your ability to pay and can be reduced if you have a lower income.
Another excellent resource is the Center for Women and Men, which offers many community programs and provides support and assistance to students in a non-academic way. They analyze the type of obstacles that might stand in your way through communication, then offer resources to help you remove those obstacles. For example, if you need childcare, are homeless, food insecure, or need a book but don’t have the money, the Center for women and men offers a program for each of these problems. Erin LeBlanc, director of the center, said: “No one should ever feel alone. If you don’t have a support system or a healthy system, you can find it here. “
Many people don’t realize that the most important resource is your own support group. Having someone in your life, be it a family member or a close friend, to help you through the tough times is crucial. We are all prone to loneliness and going through a moment of poor mental health can make you feel isolated. You are never alone. There are so many people who love you and are excited for your future. Reaching out to someone can feel terrifying or embarrassing, but it’s never as bad as it seems in your head. Social connection comes more from your sense of connection than from your number of friends. If you don’t already have a support system, the resources listed above are ready to become your support system. It is equally important to help your friends in need.
Recognizing that your mental health is declining is not as easy as many people think. People can get so caught up in their daily lives that taking care of themselves can feel like an extra chore. Realizing that you may not be doing well is an even harder truth than putting in the work to get better. There’s so much stigma behind what someone with poor mental health looks like, that you think it can never be you. There is nothing wrong with getting help. So take the plunge and learn to be kinder to your mind.
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