Bradley Counseling Center taking action in adjusting to students’ needs as the Covid-19 Pandemic continues
How the university is tending to its students during a difficult time
Throughout the last couple years, Bradley University, just like every educational institution around the world, has dealt with keeping students and staff afloat during what could very possibly be one of the most mentally and physically challenging times of their lives.
“Currently, there is an increase in social anxiety as students are back on campus, living in dorms and attending in person classes,” said Dr. Renee Patton, staff member of the Bradley Counseling Center.
Anxiety is something that a lot of college students struggle with every year. Keeping up with academics, relative health and wellness, and social lives all at once is challenging. Now, add a global pandemic in with that mix. How do universities handle this?
“We all continued to educate ourselves on best practices in therapy during the pandemic,” said Dr. Patton. “For example, I personally consulted a lot with academic counselors, athletic trainers and coaches as well as Academic Support Services and Student Access Services.” The Counseling Center also offered, and continues to do so, an oncall system for students with mental health emergencies that occur during non-office hours. Along with these adjustments, they offered same-day in-office appointments for mental health emergencies.
Doing a counseling session over zoom, or in person while wearing masks and staying six feet apart, may feel uncomfortable for students as well as the counseling staff. However, actions were taken by the staff to make these sessions as comfortable as possible. Dr. Patton explained how she prepared by doing several workshops for tips on managing mental health throughout the pandemic. She said, “I personally tried to be more available to students by replying to emails quicker, making more phone calls as needed to talk to students in between appointments.”
At the beginning of the fall 2021 semester, the Department of Nursing at Bradley University took action by launching a degree for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP), under the Registered Nurse track. Dr. Jessica Clark, Associate Dean and Director of the Bradley University Department of Nursing, saw a need and decided to fill it. More details on this new major at Bradley can be found here.
Almost one in every five individuals in the U.S. has a mental health illness, and according to Dr. Clark, the pandemic has only amplified this gap. “We hope our new PMHNP programs offer students the flexibility of returning to school to combat the mental health shortages within their own communities. We need providers in every area of the country, particularly those within rural settings where little to no access to mental health treatment exists,” said Dr. Clark.
Even through the tough times, some good has come. “The need for counseling services has increased during the pandemic, which is a good thing in my opinion. On one hand because people are now more accepting of getting help for their mental health needs,” said Dr. Patton.
Students at Bradley University are in very good hands when it comes to mental health concerns and should take advantage of the services offered here, especially during a time like this.