Opinion
Counseling Center: an invaluable resource for students
By Emily Tubb ’19
September 22, 2016
Tags opinion
Hamilton is known for the many resources the College offers to students, from career counseling to off-campus study programs to various community service opportunities. Whatever interests or needs a student might have, our college finds a way to cater to them. But of all these resources, I’ve noticed that the Counseling Center seems to be one of the most underappreciated resources on campus. Compared to many colleges, Hamilton’s counseling services are extraordinary. Not only is there a full staff of counselors, but I was pleased to learn that there is a trained psychiatrist on campus as well. This speaks volumes about Hamilton as an institution, exemplifying how high of a priority mental health services are on our campus.
I have been a frequent attendee of the counseling center since I arrived on campus last year. I have struggled with severe anxiety for a while now, and I knew that Hamilton’s mental health services would be one of the first resources I would take advantage of. It is always hard to switch to a new therapist after forming a bond with someone from home, so I was nervous, to say the least, when I tried out this brand new place, but the Counseling Center blew me away. Compared to my counseling experiences through high school, the convenience of the Counseling Center is something I had never experienced. Not only is it free to students, but it is right on campus and easy to access. Since its move down the hill just past the Bristol Center, the facilities have increased tremendously as well. I even get to see Lily, the therapy dog, on Tuesdays and Fridays, which never fails to put me in a good mood even on the worst days.
Not only does the Center have individual therapy, but they also offer group therapy, which helps students discuss their struggles in an honest way while learning coping mechanisms to help them with whatever they’re struggling with. While I personally get more out of individual therapy, it is great that the Counseling Center offers these various options, allowing each person to find their preferred means of help and support. They have also recently developed a peer counseling program, which allows fellow students to support one another and to make sure that there are people across the campus who can help students struggling with mental health issues.
While I am mostly overflowing with praise in regards to the Counseling Center’s services, I do have one main complaint: it is VERY difficult to schedule appointments, especially if it is your first time visiting the Center. I know of many people that need the Counseling Center’s services in a very timely manner, but unfortunately, they have to wait weeks to get the appointment because it is overbooked, and they also seem to prioritize regular students over newcomers. This can become problematic, but the Center does have a counselor on staff 24 hours a day whom you can reach by dialling 315-859-4340. Granted, this is not the same as an individual appointment, but they do all they can in order to help and support the students when an appointment isn’t immediately available. The Counseling Center is also working to hire more counselors to the on-campus staff with the goal of scheduling more appointments and ensuring a shorter wait time.
Visiting the Counseling Center is something I’ve become very comfortable with, but I know that many people are hesitant to do so due to the stigma associated with poor mental health. Despite the many amenities of the center, this negative stigma is still very present on our campus. People are often afraid to admit they are struggling, so making the trip to the Counseling Center can be a huge step. I was definitely nervous the first time I went, afraid that I’d see someone I knew and they would judge me somehow for having to go talk to a therapist. But the more I went, the more I felt free, knowing that I was actively taking care of my mental health. No one judges you for going to counseling, and that helps as well.
The Counseling Center is a resource that all Hamilton students should take advantage of at some point. We all have our inner struggles, whether it seems like it or not, and this is one of the best times in our lives to use such a wonderful resource right on our campus. Every person can benefit from some sort of therapy, and I am extremely grateful that I took advantage of the Counseling Center so early on. I hope that over the next few years, the Counseling Center becomes a more utilized resource, just like the Health or Career Center, and through the process, the focus on mental health becomes less stigmatized and more openly discussed on our campus.