Your Mental Health Is Important to Us

Do you feel that your mental health is affecting the way you function in your day-to-day life? Are you struggling with the transition to college, or do you just need someone to talk to? At Daytona State College there’s a multitude of resources that can assist you. It’s important to mention that you do not need to be diagnosed with any mental illness to take advantage of these services.

In the Counseling and Accessibility Services Center, which is located on every campus, you can set up an appointment with a counselor or walk in and speak to someone on the spot. The scheduling process is completely dependent on you, and the counselors are willing to work with your daily schedule. Contrary to popular belief, all the sessions are free and on a short-term basis.

If you and your counselor discuss your need for long-term assistance, they can offer a referral to someone who can meet your needs both mentally and financially. Counselor Micheal Abrahams said, “Sometimes if the student already has health insurance we can find a provider within their health insurance network, or we know community providers that offer a sliding scale.” A sliding scale depends on your ability to pay and can be reduced if you have a lower income.

Another great resource is The Center for Women and Men, which does numerous community-based programs and provides support and assistance to students in non-academic ways. They analyze what kind of barriers might be in your way through communication and then proceed to offer resources to help remove such barriers. For example, if you need childcare, are experiencing homelessness, have food insecurities, or need a book but don’t have the money, The Center for Women and Men has a program for each of these problems. Erin LeBlanc, director of the center, said, “Nobody should ever feel alone. If you don’t have a support system or a system that is healthy, you can find it here. “

Many people do not realize the most important resource is your own support group. Having someone in your life, whether it’s a family member or a close friend, to help you get through tough times is crucial. We are all prone to loneliness, and experiencing a bad mental health moment can make you feel isolated. You are never alone. There are so many people out there that love you and are excited for your future. Reaching out to someone can seem terrifying or embarrassing, but it’s never as bad as it seems in your head. Social connection comes more from your feeling of connection, rather than your number of friends. If you don’t have a support system already, the resources listed above are willing to become your support system. It’s equally important to help your friends in need.

Acknowledging that your mental health is declining is not as easy as many people think. People can get caught up in their everyday life, to the point that taking care of themselves might seem like an extra chore. Realizing you might not be doing okay is an even harder truth than doing the work needed to get better. There’s so much stigma behind what a person experiencing bad mental health looks like, that you figure it can never be you. There’s nothing wrong with getting help. So take the leap, and learn to be kinder to your mind.