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UNK Counseling paired with Residence Life to put on their second mental health screening day. Students were encouraged to take a self-assessment to learn a little more about their own mental health.
This event allowed counselors to connect with new students and those who haven’t yet been to the counseling center.
“I like to have the counselors out and about, because sometimes we’re behind closed doors a lot meeting with students for sessions,” said Kiphany Hof, associate director of UNK Counseling. “And if we are out and about on campus, maybe that helps break some stigma to see that is a counselor, just like a regular person.”
The counseling center set up three booths on campus located in the Nebraskan Student Union, West Center and the Health and Sports Center. One counselor was seated at every booth to say hi and to answer any questions students may have about their results.
Printed QR codes were placed on the tables where students were encouraged to scan and take a five-minute mental health screening. The survey had 36 questions, and it was created by the Collegiate Center of Mental Health to assess the most common mental health problems experienced by college students.
This assessment is submitted anonymously, and it can be completed from anywhere. Students could even take a picture of the code to complete later and continue walking to their next class.
The results of the screening indicate whether an individual has a high, moderate or low level of stress in certain areas, such as depression or anxiety. The assessment results are not a clinical diagnosis, but they are meant to help students identify concerns or simply learn more about their mental standing.
Each booth also had a student residential adviser there to help connect with students as well as spread awareness among peers.
“All of the mental health ambassadors have been getting the word out to residents to try and get them to do the assessment or just to promote mental health awareness as a whole,” said Ryann Haburchak, mental health ambassador. “It’s okay to not be okay, and you have a community here at UNK that is going to back you up.”
As more spots fill up during this time of year, Hof urges students to stop by Student Health and Counseling in the Memorial Student Affairs Building or call (308) 856-8248 to make an appointment with a counselor.