While many students may think that the health fee tacked onto the cost of registration merely covers headaches and paper cuts, they may be surprised to know that their $11 health fee includes access to a full staff of personal counselors.By utilizing both the Student Health Center and the personal counselors in the Counselor’s Office, students can receive expert counseling advice at no additional cost, thanks to the health fee that is already paid for every semester.The counselors are trained and prepared to deal with a wide variety of issues, from depression and anxiety to crisis prevention and stress management. Although it is normal for students to experience a fair share of personal strife during the course of a school year, it is when the problems begin to interfere with that student’s ability to regularly attend and focus on school that Leslee Cook recommends counseling without hesitation.”For some reason, there is a stigma toward those who seek help,” said Cook, who has been a counselor on campus for 29 years at the Special Services Center and the Student Health Center. “Everyone goes through problems and [personal counseling] is a wonderful and free resource available to all students.””It could be the difference between dropping out of school and continuing on with a better attitude,” Cook adds.If a student seeks counsel, the Student Health Center suggests meeting with a psychologist or counselor one to eight times a year for a 45-minute confidential session. “The student comes in, I close the door and the rest is between me and them,” said Manuel Flores, personal counselor. “Many times, students do not know where they are going both in school and in life and without getting proper counseling, it may end up costing them.””I had a friend who saw a personal counselor on campus and it really helped her,” said Amanda Kent, a sophomore nursing major. “She was able to take more time off of work and spend more time on homework because of her counselor’s advice.”Personal counseling is available Monday through Friday on campus through Flores, Sheldon Roth and Eileen Sheff at the counseling office and through Cook and John James at the Student Health Center.
