College can be a stressful time when you have a bunch of exams to study for, clubs to be active in, maintaining your GPA, etc. It can be a lot to handle but college students are still scared to seek help. By getting to know what resources your campus offers to keep your mental health in check, those four years will get better and better.

The American College Health Association says that 39% of college students felt so depressed that it was difficult for them to function. 61% felt overwhelming anxiety and 87% were overwhelmed by everything they had to do. You do not need to have a medical diagnosis to see a therapist on-campus. On-campus therapists can be good for those who need someone to talk to about something that can be hard to tell other people like being homesick, getting a bad grade, or a roommate who is getting on your nerves. They can help you with serious issues as well like gender identity, substance abuse, and body image issues. A therapist will be able to spot the signs of mental health early on so that you will know how to deal with it.

It is important that you do not feel nervous or embarrassed to see a therapist as no one needs to know you are going to one. A therapist is obligated by law to protect your information unless you have expressed harming yourself or others. If you do not want anyone to see you walking into the building your therapist will be in, you can do over-the-phone or video sessions. You should also know that you are not required to see a therapist every day if you have a busy schedule. Your therapist will be able to work around your schedule by meeting biweekly, monthly, or setting a unique schedule. If your therapist does not seem like a good fit, do not be afraid to ask to see someone else that is better equipped for your needs.

If you are scared about the high cost of therapy treatment, most colleges offer free sessions up to a certain point. If you do not have health insurance, your on-campus counselor can refer you to a low-cost treatment. You do not have to tell your counselor everything but can just ask for more information. Asking for help on campus is a brave step to improving your mental health.

Located in Tacoma, Washington, Bayview Center’s mission is to offer clinically-driven programs and services to treat a number of substance abuse disorders along with anxiety and depression using cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, trauma therapy, yoga therapy, and more for a successful recovery. For more information, please call us 888-570-7154 at as we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.