While the chill in the air and changing leaves can make October the prettiest time of the fall semester, it’s also a time when students may be feeling especially homesick and stressed.
In fact, over the years, Kent State University has designated October as Mental Health Awareness Month. It is consistently one of the busiest times of the year for Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, the university’s on-site mental health provider, said Jennifer Knott, assistant director of CAPS.
Kent State Today’s new series, “Golden Guide,” will highlight university departments and resources focused on student support and success.
CAPS offers a variety of services to support students’ mental and behavioral health, Knott said.
“Students can schedule a free consultation with one of our clinicians,” Knott said. “We'll get a sense about their concerns, their needs, their background, and then by the end of that, we make recommendations to different supports and services within CAPS, but also in the greater campus community.”
Initial consultations are virtual, Knott said, and under CAPS’ Flexible Care Model, up to six follow-up appointments are covered at no cost to students.
CAPS staff also host virtual and in-person workshops on topics like resiliency, anxiety and relationships, she said.
Workshops are interactive sessions, rather than lectures, Knott added.
“There'll be discussion, there'll be activity,” she said. “Depending on what the topic is, we make the content around that topic and then we'll give you an actual practical tool or more that you can take from that workshop and then start using to actively start addressing whatever that concern is."
CAPS also offers groups for substance abuse and addiction recovery. New this semester is a grief support group, Knott said.
“What the research shows is that approximately 60% of college students will experience a significant loss like that throughout their time in college,” Knott said. “We want to help support students who are dealing with that loss, experiencing that grief.”
Mental health concerns have been increasing in young adults over the past few years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. Some of the top issues students are experiencing include anxiety, addiction and grief, Knott said.
These concerns, as well as any mental health struggle, can greatly impact students’ success in the classroom, social life and career preparation, Knott added.
CAPS and other on-campus resources underscore Kent State's dedication to supporting students' mental health needs, Knott said.
“If we can provide mental health and wellbeing supports, then we can kind of work towards that belongingness, work towards help supporting students to basically stay here. We want them to be successful throughout their time in college,” Knott said. “I think it says a lot about the university's commitment to students and to student success.”
But not every person experiencing a stressor needs individual or group therapy, Knott added. CAPS provides free advice and videos on their website and social media to assist students with general concerns.
“Some of the stressors and transitions that come in this time of life are really normal, but they can be stressful or even anxiety provoking,” Knott said. “[Students are] encouraged to visit our website because we do offer … those self-help tools, psychoeducation.”
Each Kent State regional campus has a dedicated mental health professional available for students, and all students are welcome to attend any of CAPS’ workshops, whether virtual or on the Kent Campus, Knott added.
CAPS is located in Van Campen Hall. Workshops take place in the Sensory & Wellbeing Suite in Centennial Court B.
To schedule a consultation with CAPS, call 330-672-2487.
