FTC Counseling Services meet students over cookies and coffee
By Grace Bonamico
Five Towns College’s Counseling Services welcomed students with coffee, cookies, and conversation at Thursday’s Cookies and Counseling table in The Upbeat. The event allowed students to meet Hajra Naeem, the college’s Mental Health Counselor, in a relaxed setting while also learning about the range of support services available on campus.
“We’re just doing a meet and greet with students, to let them know you have somebody in your corner,” Naeem said. The Common Hour event was designed to break down barriers and encourage open conversations about mental health. The counseling staff hopes these approachable interactions will make it easier for students to seek support when needed.
Looking ahead, the counseling center will host smaller events during Men’s Mental Health Month in November. It will also promote the Artist Addiction Challenge, which invites participants to create original works in photography, music, mixed media, and more while abstaining from personal vices such as smoking, sugar, and social media.
“We’re really excited about that, and it will be celebrated in the form of a gallery. We’re also hoping to invite some local artists to share their sobriety journey,” Naeem explained.
FTC Students appreciated the cookies and accessibility of the tabling event. “I think that the table in the Upbeat is beneficial because it gets students to meet the counselor and get to know her and her energy and see if it’s a good match and let the students know that they have a support system at school,” said Morgan Kacinski, a Music Performance major.
Five Towns College Counseling Services are located in Room 111, across from the library. Walk-in appointments are welcome, or students may schedule an appointment by emailing hajra.naeem@ftc.edu.
