A statistic affecting NGU students
Gabrielle Fanelli, Staff Writer
“At NGU, of all the issues we deal with, anxiety is most prominent”, says Stephen Bielby, a counselor at NGU. “Only one-third of our population seeks treatment which is 40 million adults.”
It’s easy to look at a statistic and think, “not me”; however, the number one mental health issue among students is stress. You can read more about issues effecting colleges by clicking here
The top three things that cause stress are:
1) Anxiety
2) Depression
3) Relationships
What’s the difference between stress and anxiety? Stress is a response to a challenge in our lives. Anxiety is a reaction to stress. For example:
A girl gets anxiety when she is around her boyfriend. Her boyfriend is the stressor. He goes home for the weekend but her anxiety still continues even when he (the stressor) is not physically with her.
“ Social anxiety is common as some students even get anxiety when waiting in line in the car,” says Bielby.
How do you know when you need to get help?
Stephen Bielby gives us a detailed list you can use to evaluate your level of stress and if it’s time for you to get help:
– Your roommate tells you to go get help
– Changes in eating habits
– Sleep patterns change (takes you longer to fall asleep because your mind is racing).
– Headaches
– Short-tempered/ frustrated
– Continual illness, cold sores, cold, weak immune system
– muscle tightness
– Inability to complete tasks
– Freeze when you see all of the tasks you need to complete
We all have things in our lives that help us personally relieve stress. For example, Bielby said, “If you are the type of person that gets overwhelmed when your room is unorganized, take some time to organize your room before you start your list of tasks for the week.”
Some other tips he gives us to improve stress levels are:
– Exercise
For a stress relieving workout you can do in the privacy of your dorm room click here
– Essential Oils
Essential oils have been proven to help you get rid of stress and a list of other sicknesses. For a list of essential oils to help you cope wth stress, click here and pick up a bottle of your favorite oil at Foodies Farm Shop in downtown Greer. To learn how and where to apply your oil of choice, you can watch the video below.
– Your environment (The lighting in your room)
– Music
Music can change your mood. For relaxing and calming music to play while doing homework you can click the video below.
– Prayer and Scripture
By covering your walls and mirrors with prayers and Bible verses, you cannot help but wake up and be surrounded by God’s promises. Make it a fun project for your weekend! Here are 29 encouraging verses on stress you can print out by clicking here.
– Progressive Muscle relaxation
– Simple Breathing Techniques
– Keep a journal when you are stressed
Write how you feel and look back to it when you have calmed down
– Steel & Spaghetti
Three slow cleansing breaths than tense your body for four seconds then release and repeat.
Why do only one in three adults seek treatment? Lisa M. Vallejos says, “Therapy costs have an extremely wide range. I know clinics that charge as little at $5 per session and others who charge $300 per session. It really is dependent on the therapist, your location, and the going rate for therapy in your area.”
Most people assume they do not need help and they can manage it on their own. The good news about the counseling department at North Greenville Unviersity according to Stephen Bielby is, “We are sworn to confidentiality as counselors. Unless homicide or suicide is involved, I can lose my license if I release any information a client shares.”
In knowing the counseling sessions at NGU are free for students, why not take advantage of this opportunity and conquer your stress?
Bielbly shared that stress, though it can be good for motivating us, can also have long-term and even deadly results if not treated. He gives the example of someone having HIV. If they have untreated stress, it can eventually turn into AIDS. Stress has also been linked to cancer and heart disease.
You can set up an appointment by contacting one of our school counselors via email or office phone. You can choose a 1 on 1 session or a group session depending on your personal needs.
When we are stressed, we tend to ask a lot of questions like “ What if that doesn’t turn out right?” or “What if I fail?”. Stephen Bielby left me with an encouraging quote, “We don’t know what if. What we have is what we are in control of, what is now.”
Contact a counselor today.
Stephen Bielby, THM, LPC
Office Location: Worldview Center, Lower Room 107
Office Phone: (864) 663-0249
Mobile Phone: (864) 420-7196
Email: sbielby@ngu.edu
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Susan L. Suomi, MA
Office Location: MA Tingle Student Center, Room 115
Office Phone: (864) 977-2094
Email: Susan.Suomi@ngu.edu
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
