Why I Went To See A Mental Health Professional | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why I Went To See A Mental Health Professional

And you could give it a shot too.

18
Why I Went To See A Mental Health Professional
tumblr

As a resident advisor at GW, I have received extensive training that has shown me how many resources our university has to offer us.

One resource that I kept hearing about was my GW's Mental Health Services (MHS). As a person who believes so strongly that mental health is extremely important, I consistently told my friends and residents how great MHS is.

The truth, however, was that I had never been to a session myself. This past week I finally decided that it was worth a trip. Besides wanting to go so that I could give more information to my friends and residents, there were definitely some things that I needed to work through. I consider myself to be a happy person. But happy or unhappy, we all have brains, and brains have a mind of their own.

Though I have never been diagnosed with a mental illness, I definitely go through ups and downs yearly, monthly, weekly, and even daily. I am emotional, arguably over-superstitious, spend too much time in my head, and sometimes struggle with how to navigate the world I am in.

I am also a serial planner and over-thinker so prior to visiting the office, I went to the MHS website for information before I made any moves. I noticed that walk in hours for individual counseling sessions were every weekday from 9am-3pm. I then called the MHS office to make sure I would know exactly where to go and what to do. It is so easy. You go to the Colonial Health Center in the Marvin Center and speak to a representative at the desk. Then you just fill out a quick set of forms on an iPad.

The first handful of individual sessions are 100% free of charge, and they even have counselors who are able to cater to various populations such as LGBT students, multicultural students, veterans, and others. And once you go to an individual session, you can be referred to a relevant group session, all of which are free.

It is ironic that the first five minutes of my session were spent by my counselor telling me that everything I was saying was confidential and now I am voluntarily publishing it on the internet, but here we go.

I don't think it is necessary to discuss the actual subject matter of what I talked about with my counselor, but the things that she told me were incredibly helpful. I learned that:

1. I am not good at standing up for myself because I am scared to hurt people's feelings, to embarrass myself by either crying or just being wrong, and I want to please others.

2. My identity is centered around being independent, but I let people make decisions for me, both consciously and subconsciously.

3. I tend to bottle up emotions because though my family and friends are lovely to talk to, sometimes I feel that they are too biased and they don't see the bigger picture. I also would rather deal with things myself rather than upset others.

All of these things I pretty much knew about to an extent, but I hadn't considered them as central to my identity. I really see myself as a strong and independent woman. My counselor challenged me and said, "Should a strong woman be afraid to speak her mind and stand up to people?" This was the moment where she really broke through to me.

Why don't I stand up for myself, and for others, in real life and not just passive-aggressively on Facebook through political posts? This one 30 minute session, during which I cried my eyes out (those who know me know I do that often) and blabbered on and on about a million topics completely opened up my worldview.

But this article is really not about me. I am writing this because I do not think mental health should have the stigma it does. Just like you go to the doctor for a cold, when you are emotionally, spiritually, or mentally unwell, it may help to see a professional. Just like with a cold, if you try to deal with issues on your own, they may fix themselves or go away, but they also may not.

Why risk it? I strongly recommend that everybody pays a visit to MHS at least for an initial consultation and allow themselves to explore. (Also, your counselor is required to listen to you and give you attention so honestly take advantage.) Mental health is too important to be ignored, individually and by society.

I went to see a counselor and I am proud that I took initiative for dealing with my problems. I am proud that I am able to speak about it openly and hopefully inspire others to give it a shot. Let's stop hiding. There is no shame in needing help or seeking help, only strength.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

10 Inevitable Stages Of Going Home For Thanksgiving As A College Student

Turns out that Thanksgiving is a lot more complicated when you're in college.

640
10 Inevitable Stages Of Going Home For Thanksgiving As A College Student
Wikimedia Commons

It's that time of year again- Thanksgiving Break is finally approaching. For college students everywhere, Thanksgiving is a time to relax and not really worry about homework (well, depending on what major you're in). However, going home for Thanksgiving is actually a lot more complicated and stressful than it looks. From traveling, to Thanksgiving in general, the stages of going home can drive students crazy.

Keep Reading...Show less
silhouette of person's hands forming heart
Photo by Mayur Gala on Unsplash

Your relationship doesn´t have to be full of exchanges of lavish gifts. You do not have to go on elaborate dates and try crazy things. While those are great for a relationship, there are much simpler ways to ensure a happy and stable union.

Keep Reading...Show less
Friends dinner
Thought Catalog

As we have now passed the halfway point of the semester, work still seems to be piling up and we all seem to feel a little extra drained. Sometimes it seems like college does not take a rest and you are constantly going, going, going. Being productive and working hard is important, but there is nothing wrong with looking forward to the wonderful holiday season. Luckily, Thanksgiving break is just around the corner! With this wonderful holiday coming up, it is definitely time to start being thankful for all you have in life, take in the beauty of Fall around you, and start getting ready for the most wonderful time of the year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Wonderful Things About The Holidays

Some of the best things about the upcoming holiday season.

2226
christmas decoration

As the holidays approach, there are many wonderful things that start to appear. From weather to food and even to the decorations, there are so many wonderful things about the holidays.

1. Cold Weather

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

14 Thoughts Every College Student Has During Winter Break

The most common: "Is it time to go back to school yet?"

4346
nothing on to-do list

Winter break is a cherished time for many after enduring a grueling fall semester. It’s a time of relaxation and time spent with loved ones over the holidays. However, once the new year rolls around, we’re all ready to go back to school. Here are thoughts every college student has during winter break.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments