It's okay to ask for help. Eventually everyone will have to turn to a friend for help, but what happens when you feel like you are on your own? You don't have to suffer in silence, there are ways for you to find help on campus easily and discreetly.

There is a wide range of events that can affect your emotional health as a student. University is often a student’s first time being independent from their parents and some students may have a difficult time adjusting to their new routines and environment all while juggling their schoolwork and social lives.

Important issues like depression or anxiety may get chalked up to the shuffle of classes and homework or even go unacknowledged. Sometimes the loss of a loved one or other traumatic event may damage you emotionally, but it may be difficult for you to know when to reach out for help.

If there is a major crisis on campus, or a crisis that affects the students at the university, the administration may choose to bring grief counselors on campus to help the students. This helps in times of tragedy, but there are also counselors available to students year-round.

There are plenty of psychological counseling services provided by universities but only an estimated 10% of college students seek professional help. Even though the resources are available, many students may not seek help for fear of being labeled as “crazy" or “weak."

Unfortunately many of these students may have problems that go unaddressed; as much as 75% of mental illness manifests itself by the age of 24. Students who suffer from a traumatic event may not recognize symptoms of an acute anxiety disorder like PTSD.

There are plenty of legitimate reasons for students to seek help, but unfortunately many are not looking.

# On Campus - Who You Can Ask for Help

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your university if you feel like you are in need of assistance. Don’t get bogged down or held up by social stigmas if you feel like you need help. Contact your university’s Psychological & Counseling Services or Disability Services (again, no stigma!) and see what kind of help they can provide.

If you aren't sure where to go to ask for the help you need, don't be afraid to ask a resident assistant or a professor. They will be able to point you in the right direction. Try asking at the student health center, if there isn't anything available on campus, they will be able to tell you where you can find assistance. Try searching Google for “Counseling and Psychological Services [your university’s name]."

College can be a difficult and stressful time, but it shouldn’t be overwhelming. Make sure that during your pursuit to graduate magna cum laude, you don’t forget to take care of your emotional health. Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help, but it’s always the right thing to do.

Sources

The Pennsylvania State University Division of Undergraduate Studies (The Mentor) http://dus.psu.edu/mentor/2013/08/mental-health-college-students/

Education (Survey: 10% of college students seek counseling) http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-05-04-college-mental-health_N.htm

Why You Should Go To the Counselor, Even If You're Okay | wellwvu | West Virginia University (Why You Should Go To the Counselor, Even If You're Okay | wellwvu | West Virginia University) http://well.wvu.edu/articles/why_you_should_go_to_the_counselor__even_if_youre_okay

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & the College Student. (n.d.). . Retrieved , from http://www.wm.edu/offices/deanofstudents/services/disabilityservices/resources/ptsd/index.php