By Narena Nerahoo ’24, Fathima Yumna Hussain ’25, and Olivia Bamford ’24
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is incredibly timely to the Lafayette community as finals season and end of the semester approach. The Counseling Center shares resources and events on campus for the next two weeks that will help promote student mental health and well-being.
The Counseling Center has planned several initiatives in collaboration with the Office of Case Management including:
- Partnering with Mojo 516 cafe to advertise Togetherall, an online mental health resource available to students anywhere, anytime.
- Working with Dining Services to display study tips with resources.
- Organizing a bubble hunt – small bottles of bubbles will be placed around campus to unlock your inner child and encourage the practice of deep breathing.
- Promoting animal-assisted mindfulness (word on the street is that there will be mini horses…).
Keiba Bragg-Best, LPC, staff counselor and outreach coordinator at the Counseling Center, and Fallyn Lee, Ph.D., staff psychologist and prevention coordinator, share insights on how to prepare for finals season and end-of-semester transition.
Bragg-Best emphasizes the importance of taking care of your physical health as much as your mental health during this time.
“Taking care of yourself can include, but is not limited to, getting adequate sleep, incorporating movement in your life (i.e., going for a walk, run, dancing, etc.), being self-compassionate, staying hydrated, being attuned to your emotions, welcoming a space for gratitude, taking breaks, and reminding yourself that most things are temporary.”
Lee says it’s important to be proactive instead of reactive to stressful situations. “If you know you are about to enter a stressful time, such as studying for a final exam or working on a final paper, think about things to do before, during, and after the stressful situation so that you can feel better prepared.”
The Counseling Center offers many free resources:
- To schedule an appointment, call the Counseling Center at 610-330-5005. You also may email counselingcenter@lafayette.edu to request an appointment.
- “Drop-in” Consultation Clinic hours are available 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. These are brief, goal-oriented sessions for students who are seeking immediate support to address a specific concern.
- After-hours crisis support is always available by calling the Counseling Center’s main number: 610-330-5005.
- Togetherall is an online, anonymous peer-to-peer mental health support community that is available 24/7, 365 days. It is moderated by mental health professionals. There are self-paced courses and self-assessments to learn more about your mental health.
- Individual and group counseling sessions are available.
- Relationship counseling also is offered.
- Off-campus referrals to Lehigh Valley providers are available for students looking for long-term counseling services in the local community.
- The Counseling Center offers Mental Health Trainings through Kognito: At-Risk to help prepare students for real-life conversations with their peers regarding mental health and suicide prevention. These sessions are online and available 24/7.
- Consultations are also available for those who are concerned for a student’s well-being.
Additional Support Resources