By: Tayla Johnson
Photography by Tayla Johnson
Mental health is very important for college students and should be a factor that everyone should consider. Counseling services provide the most adequate aid for McKendree’s students and faculty, which requires no fees or charges to those who attend the institution. The assistant director of health and counseling services, Melissa McHenry, and Charles Gregory, who is the university counselor at McKendree, educate students and faculty in creating better mental health and well-being for themselves.
For students, it can be difficult to adjust to the differences that come with a new start that college brings. “We do everything we can to help students with their transition through school,” says Gregory. Also, there are many stresses that come along with being a college student such as deadlines, finals, midterms, and extracurriculars. At the age of the younger student’s mental health issues can become prevalent. Gregory says, “Mental health disorders can manifest at any age, but this is the primary age in which it does.”
Counseling services is not only helpful to students for mental health assistance, but they also provide internships for graduate students who may want to gain experience in the psychology field. Gregory states that “Myself and my supervisor, Melissa McHenry, are the primary therapists, but we have additional graduate interns who we supervise that see a number of students as well.” Although the interns meet with students less than the main counselors, it is still a wonderful opportunity to take part in.
There are many events that counseling services have contributed to in which Melissa McHenry has been the sponsor. The most recent event that was held would be the Mental Health Matters events, which was a way for students to be educated on possible ways to cope with stress. Also, during UNI 101 classes our university counselors presented to incoming undergraduates on counseling services and their mission to help students with mental health. Charles Gregory manages The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) program, which assists individuals who may have problems with alcohol or drugs.
Some parting words of advice that Gregory has provided is, “This can be a very enjoyable time in life but do take mental health seriously.” He also suggests using these free services while attending McKendree as they will not be available after graduation. Counseling services can be reached for possible appointments through either of the counselor’s emails or phone numbers found on the university website.
