College can be a trying time for many students.
It is the first time in many students’ lives they are faced with the difficulties of living independently, and students may face financial struggles, mental and physical health issues, family problems, and substance abuse, among other issues.
As with many significant personal issues, the main difficulty of dealing with these problems is their invisibility. Unless students openly talk about their personal lives, it is unlikely that even people who see them daily will have any knowledge of the issues they are facing.
Because of this, Dr. Kristen Burkholder, access services librarian, recently posted flyers around campus informing students of the locations in the library where information on such subjects can be found.
While some may be tempted to have a discussion about these issues, it is up to the people experiencing them to communicate with others. Thus, making this information available anonymously is helpful to those who may not feel comfortable discussing such issues publicly.
This mode of accessibility is respectful to students struggling with delicate issues while still sending a message of support and validation.
Emotionally taxing issues can become increasingly dangerous when coupled with mental health issues, which can be exacerbated by outside stressors even without a history of mental illness. For students that are also facing difficulties due to their gender, race, religion, sexual or romantic orientation, ethnicity or financial status, stress can compile very quickly.
The impression that one is alone in their problems and that one’s issues are a burden are particularly poisonous ideas that may prevent students from coming forward with their problems.
In these situations, every bit of support can help. The campus offers free counseling services to those in need, but sometimes appointments are booked or students aren’t comfortable attending counseling. In these cases, students still deserve the support of their community, and the resources in the library are a quiet way to make information available.
The OCU community strives to support its members, but sometimes it is difficult to know how to support people while still respecting their privacy. Making knowledge and resources available can improve lives without creating more pressure.
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