College students across America face choices that affect their academic career. The typical college student uses friends and colleagues to help them make simple choices like going to a party instead of studying for an exam. What if the choice you have to make is more serious than studying for an exam? The real challenge is finding a trusted source that will help you make healthier life choices.
“Our counselors are here to help people. We help students make logical and positive choices to ensure success in their academic career,” said Josh Gunn, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at KSU. “We know what we can and cannot do for people.
This semester the Counseling and Psychological Services Center has been slammed with students requesting appointment. KSU students have sought professional help to deal with anything from anxiety to substance abuse. “We have been pretty full since mid-September, which is unusual this semester,” Gunn said.
Peer helping groups are put in place to help sustain the surplus of students. The peer helping groups’ aid people, who are seeking help with anxiety, give you advice on choosing your friends, provide relaxation techniques through meditation and even give you tips on the art of breaking up. Another unique group is test taking anxiety and learning styles. With final exams around the corner, this group will help you develop test taking skills, capitalize on your learning style and how to handle test anxiety.
“Anxiety is probably the issue I hear about the most; next would be depression,” said Gunn.
CPS counselors also provide treatment for substance abuse. CPS counselors, as well as faculty and staff try to make students aware of the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse. The Alcohol and Other Drug and Prevention Coalition help educate students on legalities of substance use and abuse. KSU also has the Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery and the Collegiate Recovery Community that helps students who are dealing with substance abuse find a mentor that will positively enable them. The mentors help students abstain from using drugs and other harmful substances. KSU also supports groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and other confidential support groups.
“College is a lot to deal with sometimes. Exams, papers, relationships and other things that weren’t so big before now are the biggest causes of stress,” said KSU junior Emori Rivers.
The CPS counselors are here to help make students make positive decisions. College can be a stressful experience and can cause students to become depressed due to increased anxiety. Anxiety, which is a common problem among KSU students, has even triggered suicidal thoughts in students.
“We want to help as many people as we can, but we are undersized. There should be a counselor for every 1,500 students,”said Gunn.
If you feel you need to speak to someone an appointments must be made in advance. However, groups and workshops do not require an appointment, but you still have to speak to a counselor before attending your first group session.
The next workshop is “Live Optimally.” It will be in Kennesaw Hall Room 2401 Thursday, Nov. 8 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Students will learn how to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by learning healthier ways of thinking and living.
The Counseling and Psychological Department is a safe place for students to receive help with issues that are troubling them. Student’s information must remain confidential by law, so there is no need to worry about privacy.
For more information on the Counseling and Psychological Department please visit Kennesaw.edu/ studentsuccessservices.
