Sometimes college life gets overwhelming. As the end of the semester draws near, many of us are not only in over our heads in homework assignments, we are also coping with wrapping up our coursework and finals online. Did you know that most colleges offer free mental health counseling? However, only 10-15% of college students actually seek help from these sources. Currently most campuses are not able to provide in-person counseling sessions, but many have found a way to provide tele-mental health counseling via phone consultations and face-to-face video conferencing to their currently enrolled students. 

Turn to an unbiased source

There are no requirements for seeking help and the point of these resources is to keep you sane, balanced, and healthy. As college students, we tend to turn to our friends for guidance, though speaking to an unbiased person who is not involved with your day to day activities might be a refreshing way to deal with your stressors. Finding ways of de-stressing and reaching out for help can be scary, but let’s talk about it!

Understand your options

When you are stressed, it can be difficult to find ways to relax. Some people tend to lean towards activities such as yoga, exercise, or meditation. These are all active ways to calm your mind and focus for a period of time. But what happens to us when we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders? It happens to everyone once in a while, but it is essential to understand the options and resources available to you. 

Get help in person or virtually

A high percentage of four-year universities offer free mental health counseling directly on campus. These services are likely to be little to no cost to any student seeking someone to talk to. The counselors in these facilities are licensed, professionals ready to help you every step of the way on the journey to mental recovery. However, you do not have to be in crisis to seek help. If these services are provided on campus – whether in person or virtually – they are available to every student attending and the counselors are eager to provide help with any circumstance brought to their attention.

While mental health can seemingly be a scary topic to talk about, especially your own, it is important to know that you are not alone. College can be a hard time for some students, and universities are actively helping to make the transition and hardships easier. Take advantage of your university’s resources to help yourself become the best version of you. It can be startling at first, but go talk about it!