Counseling Services Provides Student Support During Seasonal Stress

Dec. 6, 2023

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The combination of dipping temperatures, reduced daylight and approaching final exams can impact the mental health of students in the winter months. Jojo Mitchell, director of Illinois Wesleyan’s Counseling & Consultation Services, is eager to guide students to resources on campus that can help. 

Located on the lower level of Magill Hall, Counseling & Consultation Services provides a plethora of support to the student body, including confidential mental health screenings, group counseling and individual therapy. Sometimes students are unsure about counseling or simply don’t know where to start if they need help, said Mitchell.

“We offer various resources on our website and there are tons of self-help resources online that are free. Those ready to initiate therapy or counseling often come to see us by calling our main line or scheduling an appointment online. A counselor will help them come up with the best plan to address their needs,” said Mitchell, who uses they/them pronouns.

These resources can be found at www.iwu.edu/counseling or by calling 309-556-3052 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mitchell explained how people can develop Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), activated by less sunlight, cooler temperatures and depressed thoughts from spending more time indoors during the winter. Symptoms are often changes to sleep and feelings of helplessness.

“SAD is different from major depression because this only happens with the change of seasons. There is a sense of alleviation as the weather changes again,” they said.

While it may not be adequate treatment for those experiencing severe depression, Mitchell said pairing appropriate counseling with light therapy and self care can make a difference.

Sunbox lamps are available in The Ames Library as a form of light therapy for students who need a boost of energy. One lamp is located on the third floor of the library in a study carrel on the southeast side of the building, and another is installed on the fourth floor in the east side living room.  

“For some students, self care might look like implementing more breaks if they are studying and feeling overwhelmed. Our ability to take in information declines if we are fatigued. Don’t overwork yourself,” they said, adding that students can also explore other campus resources such as tutoring and academic coaching. 

  Besides academic stress and seasonal depression, Mitchell said some students may also be facing unseen hardships in their personal life this time of year.

“Some folks may have conflicts in familial relationships, so returning home for the holidays at the end of the semester can cause stress, worry and concern. Campus becomes a place of safety,” they said. 

Faculty and staff have a responsibility to contribute to that sense of safety and support, said Mitchell. Signs of distress may look like a student isolating from others, showing a sudden decline in grades or displaying outward signs of concern like crying or quick breathing.

“It will take a community to address the mental health needs of students. We all have a role to play in that,” they said. “It’s important to just ask how someone is feeling. Acknowledging their stress can be validating. Remind folks that you know it can be a stressful time of year, and that you will be there for them if they need to talk or need help finding resources.”

Mitchell started their role at Illinois Wesleyan in July. They were always drawn to smaller institutions, especially after attending Lewis University and earning a Ph.D. from University of Detroit Mercy. After working in private practice, Mitchell then discovered a passion for college mental health while working at a college counseling center and interacting with students during an internship at the University of Iowa.

The small, tight-knit community at Illinois Wesleyan stood out to Mitchell. During a visit to campus, Mitchell noted how Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Karla Carney-Hall greeted students by name as they walked across the quad. 

“That experience always stuck with me,” said Mitchell. “People know each other here. Developing positive and supportive relationships is so important.” 

Another draw, said Mitchell, was the opportunity to bolster the consultation side of the office, especially after resources were strained during the height of the COVID pandemic. 

“Through consultation, we collaborate with other departments and campus organizations to look at policies that support students or to create things like outreach programming and mental health workshops,” they said. Any IWU department or organization is encouraged to connect with Counseling & Consultation Services to incorporate practices that benefit campus mental health. 

Mitchell is hopeful about the progress in society’s acceptance of mental health needs in recent years, but said there is still need for improvement. 

“Mental health needs aren’t going to be going away anytime soon,” said Mitchell, adding that there has been an increased level of students experiencing social anxiety post-COVID. “Going through a pandemic can be traumatic. We may not see those impacts fully for years to come. As a community, we need to think about the needs of the students we’ll be interacting with now and in the future.”

By Julia Perez