FTC Counseling Center promotes mental health awareness

By Isabella Escobar

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Five Towns College’s Counseling Center hosted an informational table on October 28th that invited students and faculty to help spread awareness, challenge stigmas, and support mental wellness across campus.

“I think it’s a very good thing to have here at FTC. It really does bring out the positive things with the awareness of mental health. As a part of suffering from mental health back in my past, I think it’ll definitely help students come out to realize the things that they have to talk about and, you know, get off their shoulders,” said Film & TV major Zack Healy.

Participants who stopped by the table were encouraged to take infographics with helpful tips, lollipops, and a variety of pins and journals.

Randi Giebel, a counselor at Five Towns, highlighted the importance of awareness and seeking help when needed. “We’re just trying to bring some awareness to mental health issues, ways that you can possibly deal with them, and learn how to end the stigma. It’s very important because everybody suffers at some point in time with some sort of problems in their life that they may need to seek out help for.”

Five Towns students appreciated the Common Hour event. “I thought it was really cool tabling. It’s definitely important because even in today’s society, when we are more mental-health-conscious, there are still certain stigmas around mental health. And people are not willing to speak up about it, or people are not willing to help their own mental health because they are afraid of what people will think about them,” said Theater Arts major Tryston Bellon.

Students seeking counseling at Five Towns are welcome to use the resources available at the college’s Counseling Center in Room 111, across from the library.