April is here and that means we’re celebrating Counseling Awareness Month!
All month long we will be celebrating the counseling profession, our dedicated counseling team, and most of all, our clients who have courageously pursued counseling for the benefit of their mental health and well-being.
*Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see our clinician shout outs this month!
In February, we shared our Counseling and Wellness Center’s theme for the year: Pursuing connection and community in an effort to promote unity and foster hope.
We believe connection and community are vital to all of us!
One of the many benefits of counseling is the opportunity to connect with your counselor and have a safe space where you can be your authentic self.
However, we’re also aware stigma remains around many mental health issues. Sadly, asking for help runs against the grain of our culture. There is public stigma that produces fear of what others may think if they hear you’re going to counseling which, in turn, may yield self-stigma, which is the internalization of the public’s attitude about therapy. This can result in an even greater depreciation in mental health!
*Consider reading more about The Evidence for Stigma Change and The 2021 State of Mental Health in America Report.
Our counseling team wants to continue pushing back against ALL stigma surrounding mental health counseling. We firmly believe seeking help is actually one of the best and bravest things you can do and as humans, (especially humans who are still dealing with a pandemic!) we all face struggles.
If you’re feeling stuck and isolated, angry, depressed, anxious, etc., we understand and want you to know YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Our team is here to come alongside you and offer a space for hope, growth and meaningful conversation.
We invite you to get to know our providers on our webpage, follow our social media accounts for encouraging content and upcoming event information and consider scrolling through our blog and evolving resource page.
We are here for you, we love what we do and we are so thankful and humbled for the opportunity to meet individuals and families at their point of need.
Article Written by Counseling Volunteer: Kirstyn Besch