Jour 302

  • WKU Counseling Center offers Master’s internship to students from master’s programs in psychology.

    At WKU, the counseling center offers a training program for students in related master’s programs, that are seeking occupation in psychology, counseling, and social work.

    “The clinical intern training program is offered primarily to eligible graduate students in the Clinical Psychology M.A. program. A bachelor’s degree and the necessary completed coursework in the graduate clinical psychology program is required,” said Dane Adkins, a pre-doctoral intern at the counseling center.

    “Other students in different programs may be eligible. For example, at one time, graduate students in the Psychological Sciences department applied to the internship program here but primarily engaged in research using data collected by the Counseling Center,” said Adkins.

    The training program provides a setting in which interns increase and strengthen their abilities to practice psychology throughout their year with the agency with an emphasis on a Mentor/Apprenticeship.

    “Our main focus is to train graduate students to conduct therapy, individual and group, and to deliver educational programs to campus,” said Karl Laves, the Associate Director at the counseling center.

    “Our model favors the traditional science and practitioner model, a blend of academic and practical experiences, which prepares a student to provide basic counseling or therapy and to continue acquiring new skills based on a solid foundation of knowledge,” said Laves.

    Students that have completed the internship and training program have went on to find occupations with their training as well.

    “Some get a job as a therapist/counselor in their community or school, some get in a doctoral program, some get a non-clinical job,” said Masami Matsuyuki, the counseling center’s training coordinator, and staff Phycologist.

    “Many students have become therapists, worked in clinics, hospitals, and/or psychiatric facilities, have gone on to do research, or become psychometrists,” said Adkins.

    “The interview primarily involves meeting the student, discussing expectations, assessing their current development in the field and answer any questions the student may have. Applicants should hear back relatively soon about the results of the interview,” said Adkins.

  • Student athletes find their sport to improve their mental health

    From Saturday night lights to the classroom, student-athletes feel the pressure. They are up at the early hours of the morning, training for their sport, and have high expectations of themselves.

    “My alarm goes off around 6:30 a.m., every day I usually start with weights before class, and I have at least 2 classes every day,” Kenadee Coyle, a volleyball player at WKU said.

    “Being a student-athlete has challenged me mentally more than anything in my life, it is extremely exhausting, but with the help of my teammates, I have been able to find a good place mentally here at WKU,” Coyle said.

    Even with the expectations of being a student athlete, some have found their sport to positively affect their mental health. “There have been many times when I am in a bad mood or having a bad day, and then go to practice and by the time I leave, my mood has completely shifted,” Zackery Martinez, a track and field team member at WKU said.

    “Yes, there are off days, but they never last. Overall, my mental health is best when I am doing what I love,” Martinez said.

    Some student athletes have found it hard to talk about the mental health issues that can come up.

    “There is a stigma that, you know, struggling with your mental health is not cool. At the end of the day, I realized that I do not care if it’s cool or not, I just knew I did not want to be in a place that was so low and feel out of control with my emotions,” said Taylor Davis, a WKU softball team member.

    “Ultimately, it’s not always as bad as it seems, and you realize that everyone is going through something hard, but my hard looks a little different, but it is manageable,” Davis said.

    When it comes to current student athletes giving future student athletes advice, they have a lot of support to offer.

    “Everyone wants the big names across their chest but you won’t truly enjoy it if you are not fully invested in every single part of the school,” Coyle said.

    “Never be afraid to chase your passion, you do not have to be here, but you get to be. Embrace challenges,” Martinez said.

  • Coping Mechanisms & Nursing School

    Stress in nursing school typically includes academic stress, emotional stress, and relationship stress. As students learn to balance new study habits, sleeping habits, and new responsibilities, nursing students can face severe burnout.

    Nursing school can be a challenge to many students. However, with the right habits and coping mechanisms, it can be manageable.

    Jordan West, a third semester undergraduate at WKU stated, “During the first semester they want you to do countless hours of watching skills videos, quizzes every week, and homework literally every night.”

    “They honestly expect you to give your heart and soul to the program,” said West.

    Hannah Munoz, a fourth semester undergraduate at WKU said, “The clinicals in 4th semester are 12-hour shifts. This is also unpaid hours, even though it is essentially working full time.”

    Munoz went on to say that her stress levels are constantly heightened with insane mental exhaustion.

    Sam Teasley, a junior at WKU said, “In the first semester you are also on edge with skill checkoff’s all the time. Instructors want you to place an NG tube, or an IV in a very specific way, step by step. Further on into the program, the skills labs get a little more relaxed.”

    Coping mechanisms can be vital to a nursing students mental health during nursing school. Some students have developed coping mechanisms they think will help others as well. West said, “My coping mechanism is the gym. If I did not have that de-stressor, I would have had a panic attack by now.”

    “I try to prioritize rest and sleep a lot. I am not that nursing student that studies hours on end every day. I try to remind myself I am human, and I need to let my brain relax,” Teasley said.

    When it comes to finding the time to cope with the stress, Munoz said sometimes she knows she only goes outside for a walk with her dog.

    “I cope with naps. I only study, sleep, eat, and go to class or clinical,” she said.

    “I think having a strong support system helps too. Someone who can wipe your tears away and wash your scrubs for you when need be,” Teasley said.

    Dr. Liz Sturgeon, WKU’s Assistant Director of the BSN program, said, “We offer mentoring sessions each week on Wednesday afternoon. Faculty meet with students to give them study tips and to cover course content in which students need further clarification.”

    “We want our students to do their best in the program and graduate. Our program faculty are very caring, and we welcome students to set up appointments with their faculty to discuss any concerns,” said Sturgeon.

  • Is Greek Life Worth the Mental Strain?

    Many college students live in fear they will not make friends or be left out. Some decide to join Greek life, which consists of sororities and fraternities. This decision can make a lasting impact, not only during college, but afterwards as well.

    Zoe Ahlers, an undergraduate student at WKU, and a former member of Alpha Omicron Pi, stated, “Being involved in Greek made me more stressed and have more anxiety. There would be a lot of things we had to do each month in addition to attending events, meetings, and keeping up with schoolwork.”

    Ahlers decided to retract her membership from AOPI in January of 2023. “I just personally do not think it was for me.”

    Bella Mckinney, and undergraduate student at WKU, who had a boyfriend in Pi Kappa Alpha, stated, “He lost a lot of weight after joining Greek life. More than noticeable amounts and it turned him into someone I didn’t even know.”

    “There’s a lot of sick things that goes on in Greek Life, they do a lot for a patch on a Gildan sweatshirt that I would go to say destroy their mental health for life.” Mckinney said.

    Mckinney went on to say, “I will never condone anyone joining a fraternity after that experience.”

    Riley Carter, a Pre-Veterinary Medicine graduate student at WKU, and a former member of Sigma Alpha said, “It gave me a lot of anxiety. I was in charge of Greek week and Homecoming, and it was hard to be a student while also trying to plan events.”

    “I was kind of always afraid I would do something wrong. In the end it was more stressful and anxiety inducing than it was beneficial.” said Carter. After Carter decided to become inactive with her sorority, she stated that the organization was quick to, “fill the chair position.”

    Greek life has been a tradition at WKU for over 50 years. There is a total of 34 chapters. Recruitment for these organizations occur at the beginning of August, starting the new school year.

    Many students have been said to leave their Greek affiliation after being a member for one full semester. Mental health is crucial for a college student. They are multitasking 4-6 classes, along with work ethic, and possibly a Greek affiliation. Prioritizing mental health can be very beneficial to a college student.

  • Last Winter’s Tornado, Ravages Through Mental Health Today.

    The tornado in Bowling Green KY in December of 2021 destroyed many local businesses here in town. It also destroyed homes, vehicles, and other personal belongings. Some are still dealing with the effects of the tornado mentally today.

    Blake Hicks, an Assistant Master Brewer at Blue Holler Brew Supplies states, “As soon as I started my master’s degree in Brewing and Distilling in Agriculture and Food Science, the tornado happened. Having the brewery around was going to be a major component of that master’s degree, now for half the degree I have been moving forward without it.”

    Hicks stated, “After the tornado happened, I have had a lot of anxiety about whether or not this degree would mean as much.”

    “I woke up at 8am, with a text from my boss saying I did not have to come in that day, I immediately knew why.” said Hicks.

    Tyler Heckman, former program manager at Project Recovery stated, ” We addressed mental health recovery and offered public support groups after the tornado.”

    “We met with a woman who lost her home, and today whenever there’s a storm, her trailer shakes, and it feels like she’s right back into the storm and having to relive that experience.” Heckman said.

    Heckman stated that, “The smallest disturbance like the wind blowing through a door would set people off and take them back to that experience.”

    A former Western Kentucky University student, Luke Neff was also a victim of the tornado. Neff stated, “Occasionally it comes back and hits me, and takes me down a dark spiral, I lost all my belongings and had nowhere to go.”

    Neff said, “It is hard talking about this because it takes me back to that place in my head when I was abusing substances and it drains my mental health.”

    Hick stated, “I am hoping through all this trial and error, I will see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

  • Mental Health Resources on WKU Campus.

    College can be overwhelming at times. It is important every student knows what resources are available, on their campus. Many students may not know what help is available, or some may be avoidant of seeking mental health resources.

    When asking students if they felt that the mental health resources on campus are expressed enough, junior Zoe Ahlers said, “Personally, as a transfer student, I was made aware of the resources when coming in and I used them for housing exemptions. Some of my professors have also made it aware to their students that we have these options as well.”

    Senior Sarah Hargis states that, “Students do not really know what resources are provided at the counseling center. I see it advertised a lot, but I do not know what issues they work with.”

    WKU offers a Counseling & Testing Center that offers a variety of services intended to aid mental or emotional factors one may have in their life. For more information on this center, go to https://www.wku.edu/heretohelp/.

    Some students may not know how the appointments at the counseling center are set up, or what an appointment may consist of. Senior Riley Carter says, “Appointments were set up online. I paid the one-time fee and got a zoom appointment with a counselor. I had the option to pick a specific counselor.”

    The goal is not for students to feel overwhelmed or discouraged because of the sign-up process. The counseling center has attempted to make it as simple and straightforward as possible. This way students may feel more inclined to get the help they deserve.

    Students that have used the mental health resources on campus have expressed the importance of seeking help, even when hesitant. Ahlers states, “If you can help yourself, why not. May as well use all the resources at your disposal, especially if it could help. I think if someone is considering reaching out, they definitely should.”

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