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New Parent Resource at the Counseling Center

College is an exciting and adventurous time for your student and they will encounter many new people, places and situations. Sometimes this can cause increased stress which interferes with their ability to be their best self. The Counseling and Psychological Services Center has trained professionals who can offer your student support when emotionally distressed.

Our services range from helping students who are experiencing difficulties managing stress, missing home, relationship concerns to more complex mental health issues. If you are concerned about your student, you can call us for a consultation or refer your student to our center. Our services are free to enrolled students and confidential.

A new service at the Counseling and Psychological Services Center is the Case Manager Referral Coordinator Position. This position can be a resource for parents, especially if you have a concern about your student or your student is arriving to campus with a previous mental health concern. If you believe your student is experiencing more than "just college stress" or they need extra support from the beginning the Case Manager Referral Coordinator can steer you in the right direction.

Since your student is no longer living with you, it may be more difficult to assess whether they are struggling or just experiencing the up and downs of young adult life. The Case Manager Referral Coordinator can coach you in talking to your student about what you are noticing.

If you are noticing the following, it may be helpful to seek consultation:

• Too much or too little sleep (keeping in mind that college students often have much later bedtimes)
• Changes in eating behaviors (too much or too little food)
• Expressing feeling angry or stressed more often than not Isolating themselves from friends and family
• Expressing academic struggles Increased conflicts in relationship
• Any expressions of hopelessness

This list is not exhaustive, but just a general idea of behaviors to look for in a distressed student. Please contact, Kelly Lockwood, LMSW at 828-262-3180, if you have a minor or major concern about your student or you would like to know more about campus and community resources to support your student in achieving their dreams.

One final note is that all of the Clinicians at the Counseling and Psychological Services Center can provide you with the above services, if Kelly cannot be reached.

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