There are nine dimensions of wellness, according to the Health Promotion and Wellness Services at Auburn. They are physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, environmental, occupational, financial and cultural.
The Auburn University Medical Clinic and Recreation and Wellness Center are two of the main resources students have in terms of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
At a university, intellectual wellness is exercised in the classroom. But the other dimensions are exercised as well.
While all are important, the University offers students services to keep them emotionally well, and they have been utilized more than ever before in the last few years.
Taylor Wesley, senior in communications and psychology, was elected Miss Homecoming 2015 after running on a platform that promoted mental wellness throughout campus. Through her campaign, she raised awareness and money for mental health resources on campus.
“Auburn provided the proper support system that I needed in order to continue my recovery in the most effective way possible,” Wesley said. “When I received the proper help I needed, I was able to gain the strength and knowledge to give back to the University.”
Student Counseling Services, located on the second floor of the medical clinic, offers animal-assisted therapy, opportunities to relax, screening sessions, group counseling sessions and individual counseling sessions.
On top of that, all of these services are free.
Kristee Treadwell, licensed psychologist and assistant director for student clinical services, said students are informed of these services at Camp War Eagle and through ongoing outreaches in classrooms.
“We participate regularly in national screening days, such as National Depression Screening Day,” Treadwell said. “It can be easy to not realize you’re experiencing depression symptoms.”
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common health concerns on college campuses, according to Treadwell.
In the last few years, student counseling services have been in higher demand.
“I’ve been here five years in my position, and in doing annual reviews each year, there has been an increase in the need for our services,” Treadwell said.
It could be a combination of different factors, according to Treadwell. In some regards, the counseling center hopes the increased need in the last few years is because students are more comfortable in seeking help and because they are more aware of them.
“It is important to know that currently it is not impossible to get into student counseling, but those with more significant issues will be admitted first,” Wesley said. “As I see it, mental health is just as important as physical health for a student’s overall well-being and ability to be productive in school.”
Treadwell said there should be an ongoing awareness of talking about mental health.
“Even while we’re seeing increased mental health concerns, we do have the resources to be able to help the student function in the academic environment,” Treadwell said.
With the help of services offered by Student Counseling Services, students have the opportunity to exercise the sound mind and sound body they are so often encouraged to maintain.
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