DIGEST ART
Around 26 years ago, the Southern University Counseling Center (UCC) was started by Dr. ValaRay J. Irvin. Dr. Irvin, a former Southern University student herself, had worked at a number of PWIs counseling students. She ended up being more drawn towards HBCUS and the possibility of what she could offer them, stating “I felt like every PWI I worked at, black students always found me.”
As black students have struggled to feel heard and mental health being as avoided as it is in the community, not many are aware that Southern even offers counseling. Dr. Irvin and her staff want to be that resource for students, as she didn’t have the same opportunity when she was a student.
There are many false narratives created when one thinks of counseling. Many people do not feel comfortable sharing all their information and may not be used to doing so. However, students do not have to sit in silence facing symptoms of stress, changes in attitude, bad eating habits, past abuse trauma, or whatever the case may be. The Counseling center or (UCC) is a free resource for all currently enrolled students, with a strict confidentiality policy withholding all information from University records without one’s consent.
The only exceptions to the policy where the UCC will have to break confidentiality is only if a student poses a threat to themself, others, or when required by law.
The UCC is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Counseling services the UCC offers include individual therapy through seven sessions, bettermind therapy- online therapy through three virtual sessions, and together all- a peer-to-peer platform where students can connect and relate to each other amongst themselves. If students need to urgently speak with someone, UCC also has walk-ins available.
If students believe they need more sessions, they may simply have a conversation requesting additional sessions and that can be arranged for them.
Dr. Irvin encourages students to “think about therapy as personal growth.” She further continues on by saying “now is the time to invest in you.” Therapy should not be seen just as a resource for individuals with a diagnosis or life-threatening issues. Therapy is a choice you can make to reflect on bad habits you may have and to not let issues within yourself linger and carry on.
In the black community especially, generational trauma is one of the detrimental issues. Mental health not being taken as seriously as it should has resulted in people holding in their trauma and passing it along their bloodline.
As the next generation, we can be better and seek help if we need it. You can contact the Counseling Center via email [email protected] or by phone number, (225)-771-2480. Break the cycle.