Mental Health Check
Counseling Services aim to help students through this ever-trying pandemic
Staff Writer: Sasha Kauwale
Graphic Designer: Naomi Lemieux
“We all face some problems along with our lives that we also need someone else to help us with instead of facing them by ourselves. How to overcome the stigma of seeking mental health is an important first step for many people.”
How’s your mental health throughout this transitional period to online learning? Students have shared with UH Hilo counselors their concerns about academic pressure, relationship issues, friendship problems, family conflicts, depressed mood, sleep disturbance, anxiety, PTSD — all fueled by COVID-19, according to Counseling Services Director Dr. Frank Kuo.
Students also shared with Ke Kalahea, via an Instagram poll, their concerns with the new academic adjustments made at UH Hilo. This includes a lack of concentration and reading comprehension, loss of motivation, eye exhaustion from increased screen time, concern for quality of education, loss of social connection and lack of focus.
There are two types of formats to access a UH Hilo counselor during the pandemic, Kuo said. Counselors will decide whether clients are suitable for online counseling or should meet in person. Counselors are aware that some students are experiencing crises and have urgent needs that cannot be addressed online, that they may need to be assessed as to whether they need to go to the hospital, and that assessment should occur in person...If a student chooses to meet online in such a crisis situation, they will need to fill out a consent form agreeing to online counseling over an in-person assessment, according to Kuo.
Kuo stresses that the University will still require that masks are worn and distance will be maintained when students receive face-to-face counseling.. Counselors are aware that with covered mouths, it may be hard to speak and or see clients’ facial expressions, but they will be relying on other forms of communication, verbal and non-verbal, for example, tone, when the client speaks, Kuo said.
Here is what students can expect at a first-time appointment: They will be required to fill out paperwork before seeing a counselor. Once received, they will see a counselor for intake, which includes the counselor asking the client questions about their pressing concerns, and any other background information that could aid the process. Following that first appointment, client and counselor will have regular sessions until the client feels they have met their goals, Kuo said.
Kuo also shares how students who are normally uncomfortable when approaching professors in person, feel more comfortable to do so through emails. Students also have options that they didn’t have before as they have the option to change their classes from a credit to a non-credit course, instead of receiving a letter grade for their classes.
“Counseling is not for the people who are weak and sick,” Kuo said. “Counseling helps students to find their potential and capability to solve their issues. Counseling can also help them to develop their own coping strategies, so that when future problems come up that they know how to manage the problems and themselves. We all face some problems along with our lives that we also need someone else to help us with instead of facing them by ourselves. How to overcome the stigma of seeking mental health is an important first step for many people. If they can take the first step to get help, they can realize the values of our services.”
On a positive note, Kuo said there are some students who are thriving in the online learning environment. These are students who used to be uncomfortable or even afraid to approach professors in person. They now feel more comfortable reaching out to their professors via email. Students have options that they didn’t have before, such as changing their classes from a credit to a non-credit course, instead of receiving a letter grade for their classes, Kuo said.
Counseling Services is hosting “Walk-in Wednesday” afternoons, which involve students coming in without an appointment and meeting with a counselor.. Faculty and staff can fill out an outreach request form on the Counseling Services website, and essentially invite counselors to their virtual classroom for presentations on their services.
“There are two full time counselors and four counseling interns available to see clients. Three counseling interns are available twice a week and the third is available once a week,” Kuo said. “We are in the process of hiring another counselor at this point, however we need to see how COVID-19 may impact our budget to hire more counselors.”
Contact Counseling Services by going to the Counseling Services website or call (808) 932-7465.