Written by: Emily Morgan
The number of students who use counseling services has increased over the past two years, and so has the symptom severity, according to Amy Ortiz Moretta, counseling services coordinator.
Moretta stated in an email to the Accent that this increase can be attributed to multiple factors such as COVID-19, national trends and a strong decrease in social stigma toward mental wellness, as well as many other personal struggles.
The Counseling Center has provided 542 counseling sessions since Jan. 9, according to Moretta. In addition to these sessions, Moretta explained, counseling services also include classroom presentations, along with collaborations with campus resources and mental health wellness events like Healthy Minds Quality Enhancement Project (QEP).
The Counseling Center also has an Instagram account that the staff uses to reach students, with counselors on call at all times to respond to student crises. Student Support Services also launched in-dorm counseling services during the Winter 2021 semester to give students more options for counseling, according to a previous Accent article.
“The stigma attached to counseling is not as powerful; it is now seen as an extension of wellness,” Moretta said. “Our students are juggling many overwhelming challenges. The counselors help process loss, death, divorce, anxiety, depression, break-ups, questions of identity, overthinking and lack of motivation. These are just a few of the topics we help the students process in counseling.”
Regarding the effect of COVID-19 on the number of students who use counseling services, Moretta said, “Illness and isolation have impacted the way we relate to others. We are still learning about the long-term effects of COVID-19, and the social, emotional, psychological and physical effects have yet to be determined.”
Moretta said going forward, the department will continue to collaborate with the Healthy Minds QEP to create educational and entertaining programs for the students.
“We also collaborate with the University Health Center, Disability Support Services, Ministry and Mission department and Academic Support department to ensure that students’ emotional, educational, physical and spiritual needs are met,” she said.
According to the Counseling Services website, the cost of its services are included in tuition. More information about the Counseling Center can be found at https://www.southern.edu/administration/student-success/counseling To set up an appointment with the Counseling Center, call 423 236-2782; email Lauree Fogg, the counseling center office manager at ljfogg@southern.edu; or go to the center’s location on the third floor of the Bietz Center for Student Life.
