Troy University staff share advice on reaching out for mental health support, moving forward with grief

Students, faculty talk about mental health, Suicide Prevention Month

Troy University officials want to remind students of mental health resources, since September is suicide awareness month. Whether a student is on campus or online, Troy University offers different support services.

“Troy University has an in-person counseling center that is open Monday through

Friday, 8 to 5,” said Title IX Coordinator Grace Wagstaff. “These are 100% free; no

insurance is ever needed.

“They also offer virtual counseling options through our partnership with Timely

Care. Timely Care is available 24-7, 365, and is also free, confidential and no

insurance is needed.”

While Wagstaff believes the stigma of receiving help for mental health problems is

improving, she offers advice to students who still struggle with reaching out for help.

“Our mental health is the same as our physical health,” Wagstaff said. “Sometimes

we cannot figure it out and fix it on our own. We've got to go talk to somebody else

about it.”

For Dr. Chanukah Anderson, the director of technology and assessment, suicide

is something that has affected her personally. A close friend of hers died by suicide

over a year ago, and she offers advice to those experiencing this unique type of grief.

“It is understanding that at some point you can't blame yourself,” Anderson said.

“We will all question and wonder if I could have done more, is there something else

I could have said or is there something else I could have done?

“If we hold on to it and harbor it in our hearts – the what-ifs – you have to realize

sometimes the answer is simply no.”

Anderson said the key to moving forward is focusing on the future, not running

hypothetical situations that will not change what has already happened.

“The idea is to ensure that you continue to live in their legacy,” Anderson said. “Continue to do things that honor them and honor the life that was lived by

them.”

For students looking for counseling services, it is as simple as picking up the phone.

“To schedule a counseling appointment, all that needs to be done is to call and make an appointment,” Wagstaff said. “You do not need documentation when you walk in; you do not need to have a diagnosis to have an appointment; you just need to call and schedule

an appointment.”

The counseling services are not only offered for students suffering from severe mental health crises, but for a variety of issues.

“People schedule appointments for managing their ADHD, for improving their sleep habits and for severe depression and anxiety,” Wagstaff said. “It’s big and small things.

“Either things that they have been experiencing for a long time, or things that are a current problem that they are experiencing.”

While some students might still struggle with reaching out to the counseling services for help, Anderson encourages students to reach out to either professors or friends.

“We need to understand that we do have safe places where we can go, talk to people and let those things out,” Anderson said. “It is not a badge of honor to sit and suffer in silence.”

Students interested in reaching out to the counseling center can call (334) 670-3700 or email scc@troy.edu. If students would rather talk with someone online, the Timely Care app is available in both the Apple and Google Play stores.