Upbeat music played outside, a decorated booth displayed encouraging words, and smiles and warm greetings extended to students from counselors and interns of Counseling and Disability Services on Sept. 13 for an open house tour.
Located in room 181 of the McKay Building, Counseling and Disability Services is available to all full-time students without charge. All counselors are licensed mental health professionals, whether missionaries or long-term employees.
On an invitation, a quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, apostle of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was displayed. “If you are lonely, please know you can find comfort. If you are discouraged, please know you can find hope. If you are poor in spirit, please know you can be strengthened. If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended.”
Meditation is available and led by Dr. Neil O. Annandale. Sister Wall, missionary and office manager of BYUH Counseling Services explained, “It helps you to focus especially during finals and midterms. It helps you to calm down and focus on what you want to achieve when you set your goals.”
“Anyone who is interested to join a group they can come talk to me,” Wall invited. “You don’t need to be a client in counseling to use the room.”
Students with disabilities are protected from discrimination by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act. Counseling and Disability Services states, “In brief, these laws state that individuals with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity should be provided reasonable accommodations to help them enjoy the same privileges as individuals without disabilities.
According to the BYUH Disability Services website, disabilities include attention deficit disorders, nonverbal learning disorders, chronic pain and illness, emotional and mental health, deaf and hard of hearing, ADHD, and mobility and visual impairments.
A disability room is also provided for students that need more personalized help. “If the student cannot take their exam in the regular classroom or in the testing center, they can come here and use this facility. We also are accommodating blinds and deaf,” says the BYUH Disability Services website.
Group therapy throughout the semester is available:
Understanding Self and Others, Tuesdays 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Healthy Relationships, Wednesdays 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Building Resilience, 9:00 a.m.-9:50 a.m.
Women’s Therapy Group, Thursdays from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Mindfulness Group, Fridays 10:00 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
Disability Services Counselor can be contacted at 808-675-3518
For mental health emergencies outside of business hours, contact BYUH Safety Public Safety at 808-675-3911.
Writer: Geena DeMaio