Average college students gets stressed over their school work by trying to meet deadlines while achieving good grades. Sometimes that stress can pile up. If anyone is feeling depressed or needs someone to talk to, however, the UA will always lend a helping hand.
There are more than 1,000 student suicides on college campuses every year, according to Emory University’s suicide statistics. To combat student anxiety and depression, the UA offers multiple programs on campus where students can share their thoughts with professionals who can help them overcome a tough time.
One program offered on campus is Counseling and Psych Services, which is a part of UA Campus Health Service. The program allows students to talk about their personal problems with a psychologist to help the student achieve their academic goals, according to the Campus Health website.
Program psychologists provide help with a variety of issues ranging from depression and anxiety to difficulties with relationships and body image concerns.
Marian Binder, a CAPS psychologist, said the program works to alleviate the problems of its patients.
“We primarily do one-on-one clinical work sessions to really connect with our students and get to the bottom of the problem so we can help make things better,” Binder said.
Other programs, like Call and Consult, Friend 2 Friend and Parents Matter, are also offered on campus through the CAPS program.
Call and Consult allows faculty and staff members to connect with professional counselors about concerns they may have regarding a student. The professional counselor will help with approaching the student and suggest ways to handle the situation.
The Parents Matter program is an outreach center for family members who may be concerned about their students. Friend 2 Friend provides individuals advice on how to handle situations that friends might be going through, like food and body image issues as well as alcohol and drug abuse.
One in 10 college students has planned a suicide attempt, according to Emory University’s suicide statistics. Suicide is the leading cause of death for individuals ages 25-34 and the third leading cause for those 15-24.
Associated Students of the University of Arizona Sen., Alexa Jenkins said if a student is having trouble, ASUA will guide him or her in the right direction. Jenkins thinks the programs offered at the UA serve as prevention methods.
“Telling someone with an anxiety disorder to calm down is like telling someone to not have a heart attack. Telling someone with depression to be happy is like telling a diabetic to have normal blood sugar levels,” Jenkins said. “Telling someone to fix something that is beyond their control is impossible. … We need to support and foster positivity as a collective of students. As a representative of the student body, my upmost concern is student’s well being.”
CAPS is located on the third floor of the Campus Health building and can be reached at (520) 621-3334.
Students seeking help can also call these hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-8255 or Tucson Community Wide Crisis Line at (520) 622-6000.
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