Here at Presbyterian College there is an array of mental health services for students. These services are free for any student. Along with this, student-athletes have a series of services available to just them as well.
Student athletes make up a great population of the student body here at PC, and the mental health services designed just for them reflects that. Clubs like Morgan’s Message, and the athletic department’s sports psychologist meet regularly with student-athletes to get ahead of the mental health epidemic.
For others at PC the newly redone counselling offices in the old infirmary, now Reynolds Hall, and staff members like Selena Blair are available and more than willing to see and speak to students. Most professors are aware of the services available and are able to point students in the right direction.
In an interview with Morgan’s Message president, Hannah Savage, she says that “Players should feel comfortable coming to their coaches about their mental health. Whether it is life, school, or sport related, the coach can offer support and advice and provide resources for the player. Athlete mental health may not just suffer due to sports, so it is important that the coach does not make the environment of the team and practices degrading so athletes can still find their sport as an outlet.”
When asked if athletes struggle more when sidelined, experiencing injury, or a mental block affecting their ability to play, Hannah Savage says “Athletes find a lot of validation within their sport, and sometimes it can be hard to separate the human side from the athlete side. Athletes often define themselves based on how they are performing or how their teammates or coaches view them.”
Morgan’s Message urges coaches, players, and support staff to know the signs, learn how to help, and how to provide welcoming environments. The club does recognition games at a variety of matches and games every semester.
Staff members like Rogers-Ingram Vice President for Justice and Community Wellbeing, Title IX Coordinator Dr. Selena Blair is in direct contact with all of the counselling staff and is well aware of all the services. She has become a prominent resource to students here, herself – often helping them navigate difficult processes and leading students into the right direction.
Students’ mental health does not rely solely on having access to counseling. With the new location at Reynolds hall, Dr. Blair also included “study rooms, we have the community commons, we have the calming room, different lounges. You could be coming to Reynolds now for everything”. This aspect helps with the destigmitizing of seeking counseling, which can deter students.
Dr. Blair also finds that the most common issues for college students at Presbyterian center around identity or “transitional challenges of living as a young adult away from home. As well as trying to expand or increase experiences”. This is a rather large challenge for students, where having a counselor or someone to talk with can change your college experience.
The counseling center is even gearing up expansions in order to offer more services as they pursue the new hiring of a Director of Counseling and Health Services that will hopefully bring new ideas to the team.
One thing that Dr. Blair hopes that people will take away from the interview, is “no one is a better expert on your life than you”. Even if one counselor is not a fit for you doesn’t mean talking to a licensed professional is not working for you. She also emphasizes that one should feel comfortable trying and going to several different people, until you click with one that fits for your mental health.
Presbyterian is committed to being a mental health outlet for those in need. The link below will bring you to the Presbyterian Health and Wellness page that offers several pathways to help.
