Mental Health – TrevEchoes Online

Two rats join the community as emotional support animals

18Nov

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Campus News, Mental Health

Two rats join the community as emotional support animals

By Lindsey White Assistant Editor of Arts and Entertainment Eleven months after seeing a TikTok that challenged her view of rats, Jessica Pointer, a junior early childhood education major, brought two rats she nicknamed “the germs” to her campus apartment as emotional support animals. “Animals in general provide emotional support,” said Pointer. “Rats are the goofiest animals that I have ever had. They keep me laughing, and they keep me on my toes. I feel like every day they’re getting smarter and learning new things.” Photo by Miriam Rixon Pointer is one of three students on Trevecca’s campus with an accommodation that allows them to have an emotional support animal on campus. Higher education inst...

<strong>Counseling Center’s tips for students struggling with seasonal depression</strong>

17Nov

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Mental Health

Counseling Center’s tips for students struggling with seasonal depression

By Abigail Allen Staff Writer Some students celebrate the chilly autumnal days with pumpkin spice lattes and chunky knit sweaters, but for students like Sydnee Pendergraff, the plummeting temperatures indicate a plummeting mood. Pendergraff, a senior at Trevecca, is one of many college students who battle depression. For her and many other students with depression, the colder months bring about a spike in depressive symptoms. “I was diagnosed with atypical depression in 2016 and later diagnosed with seasonal depression in 2019,” said Pendergraff. “As we went through my medical history, we realized I’ve had general depression since I was 9 years-old.” Seasonal depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a type of depression occurring during the colder months. Accor...

New telehealth app offers free medical and mental health services to students

24Oct

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Campus News, Mental Health

New telehealth app offers free medical and mental health services to students

By Alayna Simons Assistant News Editor The Timely Care app is an easy-access, mental health and medical help service app new to campus. Provided to Trevecca students, it is free of charge for the first 12 counseling sessions, and medical care is accessible 24/7. The app can treat a wide range of common conditions: physical conditions like the cold and other illnesses, mental health conditions like stress and anxiety, and nutrition and overall health. The app also has the option of providing help and guidance from a health coach specializing in whatever area students are struggling in. “As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, it is a phenomenal program to have. It’s all at the tap of your phone,” said Taneisha Stephens, an intern at the counseling cen...

Trevecca counseling center able to support LGBTQ+ students on campus

24Feb

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Campus News, Mental Health

Trevecca counseling center able to support LGBTQ+ students on campus

By Claudia Villeda Trevecca Counseling Center Last October, a chapel service with an openly gay speaker created controversy on campus, leading to a discussion among students on how LGBTQ+ students are welcomed on campus. Several students who identify as LGBTQ+ took to social media to express their concerns about not feeling safe or welcomed. Amidst the discourse that took place, the counseling center was one of the first places LGBTQ+ students were directed to go for support. “We are here for everyone. We are a resource and support for you no matter where you are in life currently. Our hope is to be a true haven where students can process life – where they have been, where they are now, and where they are hoping to go/be in the future,” said Miller Folk, interim d...

14Dec

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Mental Health

Students learn to combat burnout in a stressed-out season

By Lindsey White Bella Paddock finally laid her head down on her pillow at 11p.m. She went straight from her class to a babysitting job where she simultaneously kept the kids from ruining the house and typed up a paper. All her days seemed to look the same: classes, work, sleep. Her stomach ulcers flared with anxiety freshman year until the burnout led her to drop out of school. “It became so much that I stopped caring,” said Paddock, now studying for an associate in science in business. “There’s so much going on in your life that’s its almost laughable.” A 2020 study done by the American Psychological Association titled “Stress in America” categorizes Gen Z adults (ages 18-23) as the most stressed generation, 87% of them report their college education as ...

7Oct

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Mental Health

Trevecca Counseling Center ready to serve students

Trevecca Counseling Center By Madeline Brown After more than a year of offering virtual counseling sessions , the counseling center now offers both in-person and virtual sessions. Online sessions for group therapy are available, while in-person sessions with a counselor are made by appointment only. Miller Folk, interim director of the Trevecca Counseling Center, is looking forward to being able to serve and re-engage with clients who rely on in-person care. “Some students have not felt comfortable with the online platform, not having a safe confidential space [available] to have [virtual] counseling,” said Folk. “[Some students] did not feel a strong therapeutic connection through the screen, or needed higher levels of support than online counseling could offer...

Counseling Center still operating virtually

9Feb

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Coronavirus, Mental Health

Counseling Center still operating virtually

By Diana Leyva Jacob Caitlin Lassiter, a Trevecca senior, sits in her bedroom, careful not to disrupt her roommates, and prepares for her online counseling session. Lassiter is one of many students to access counseling remotely on campus since August. To lower the risk of contagion and abide by COVID-19 regulations, counseling services have moved completely online. Students can request a session and meet with a counselor via Telehealth. Sarah Hopkins, director of counseling services, said since COVID began she has seen an increase in loneliness and people struggling with how to access good resources and support during this time. “Anxiety and depression are typically the number one causes of counseling referrals on any college camp...

21Apr

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Campus News, DACA, Features, Mental Health

Trevecca counseling center works to support DACA students

By: Maria Monteros On every corkboard and poster wall on campus, Sara Hopkins and her team of counselors put up signs on campus inviting DACA and minority students to join their support groups. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are just as likely to enroll in college as the average American aged 15-32 at 18 percent versus 20 percent, a 2017 study from the Migration Policy Institute indicated. However, only 4 percent end up graduating compared to the 18 percent national average, the study states. In response, the counseling center has begun training counselors to handle multicultural issues. They’ve also partnered with various organizations on campus such as Futuro and the Diversity Council in holding talks and providing the space for these conversations to happen,...

SWEET team events helps students grow mentally and holistically

8Oct

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Campus News, Events, Mental Health

SWEET team events helps students grow mentally and holistically

By Kayla Williamson Navigating safety in Nashville, dating, and sexual health are just an example of the topics covered at SWEET team events. SWEET stands for Student Well-being Education Engagement at Trevecca. During the semester, the SWEET team hosts events dedicated to topics that are not usually discussed around campus. With the help of SGA (Student Body Government), Diversity group, Title IX, Resident Directors, and counseling center staff, the SWEET team has already hosted two events for the Fall 2020 semester. “I don’t think a lot of student’s know about us,” said Miller Folk, Counselor. “Attendance has been really low.” New Town Road, Safety in the City, which occurred Sept. 3, provided students with advice about navigating Nashville. A Nashville police officer gave tips on ...

22Feb

By Naomi OverbyNo Comments

Campus News, Features, Mental Health

Counseling center works to keep up with increase in requests

Madison Bowers, a freshman at Trevecca, applied for an appointment at the counseling center after experiencing major anxiety at the beginning of November and waited for a response. When an email came in three days later, she opened it to find she’d been waitlisted and provided with self-care tips until they could find a place for her, which didn’t happen until the last day of the month. (more…)