I have always been meaning to go to counseling here on campus, but when I was at my lowest, I finally got myself to get up and go.

Last month I was in the worst mental state due to personal events that took place. My roommate at the time pushed me to go to the counseling center immediately before things got worse, so I did. I had heard about this resource from multiple people before, and have had friends who have gone but never made myself go and experience it until recently. I was always hesitant about going and made excuses knowing I had internal troubles, I regret not going sooner. It has helped me so much.

UK's on-campus counseling center is located in Frazee Hall, conveniently behind the new Gatton Student Center. You can either make an appointment by calling or you can do walk-ins with the hours available online. Once you walk into the sign-in office, you are asked for your basic info such as your student ID, then are told to fill out a form on one of the computers. If it is your first time you will fill out a form that takes about fifteen minutes to take and is a questionnaire about how you are feeling for the counselor to better understand what is going on and how it is affecting you inside and out. You are then asked to wait until your counselor comes and gets you.

If you have never been to a therapist before, it is going to seem a bit weird at first, but then depending on how bad your situation is you will naturally spill everything out. What helped me was telling them every detail from start to finish, it felt a lot better to get off of my chest. This will also guide them in a better direction as well regarding advice.

Keep in mind this first appointment will not go as planned and you will feel unsatisfied and perhaps frustrated, just because you had expected more feedback and assistance. Do not feel too upset, this will most likely not be your assigned counselor and they are just now trying to analyze the situation and need time to process and research. Do not be discouraged!

After going the second time, I began to feel relief and am continuing to go. The counselors know what they are doing and can make you feel so much better whether it is just you sitting there and crying for hours or ranting.

They are there to help.

It is not only a therapeutic but an educational experience as well. By going to the counselor, I have learned so much about myself and how to handle relationships with my mind and with others such as family and friends. They make you feel comfortable and help you get through any situation, big or small.

I highly encourage everyone to go to this service, especially with de-stressing from the overwhelming Thanksgiving break with family or studying for finals during dead week which is right around the corner! Everyone has their problems and I learned through this that there is a point where you have to tell someone how you are feeling inside and find professional help to better yourself.

Mental health affects your day to day life and self-care is so important, get help before it gets worse.

Some things will get worse before they get better.