I was recently talking to my friend who has been going through what can only be described as a “slump,” and while I am no expert, it seemed as though she was bordering on slipping into a state of depression. As someone who has dealt with her fair share of personal “slumps,” I suggested she go talk to the someone at the psychological services here at Chapman.
Without missing a beat, she responded by telling me that she didn’t want to feel like she was accepting defeat by talking to a counselor. I was immediately taken aback by this response, but I think that this is an all too common misconception that people hold about reaching out for help. I am here to say that this is not true; it’s actually the very opposite of the truth. Admitting you are not okay and asking for help is not accepting defeat – it’s fighting to be okay again, and that is something that is truly courageous.
It takes an extreme level of self-awareness and bravery to admit to not only yourself, but especially an outsider, that things aren’t going well and that talking to a counselor could be beneficial. Asking for help can be scary, but talking out your issues with an impartial listener can offer up new insight into how to better deal with stressful issues. Seeking out help from a counselor shouldn’t be stigmatized the way that it so often is through the media and even everyday interactions. Instead, reaching out for help should be celebrated and praised for the act of endurance and perseverance that it is.
Here at Chapman, the Student Psychological Counseling Services (SPCS), offers free therapy and counseling sessions to full-time undergraduates with no additional charges. This is a resource that should be utilized more effectively by students here at Chapman. I think that everyone could benefit from talking to a counselor, even if they don’t see themselves as “struggling” personally. It can be useful to talk through even the most self-proclaimed minor of issues with a professional, even if just for the sake of getting a different perspective. It even says on their website, “No reason is too small to talk about at SPCS,” and this really could not be more true. And, knock on wood, if things in your life do start to turn to shit every now and again, you’ll already have someone who knows you and can help you through the tough times.
Therapists and counselors are there for you, so don’t accept defeat when you’re struggling. Reach out. Help to getting back to a better place may be more within reach than you think.