(Posted October 18, 2019)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College's Glaeser Center for Counseling Services hosted Mental Health Wellness Screenings Oct. 10. These screenings looked for signs of depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, eating disorders, and alcohol. 

The Glaesear Center also held other events for R U OK? Day on the Quad. The event aimed to raise awareness about suicide prevention and reinforce the importance of checking in with each other. 

In recognizing that this is a very serious subject, light-hearted activities were planned to assist in increasing the comfort level for all to attend. Students were encouraged to come out and participate in the activities and learn more about suicide prevention and mental health. It’s On Us and Active Minds were also at the event to provide support.

According to R U OK? Day’s website, the day is a “national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone to ask, ‘Are you OK?’ and to remember every day of the year to support people who may be struggling with life’s ups and downs.”

“Being able to check on ourselves and our friends is of the utmost importance. Some people don’t like to share their problems because it’s seen as a sign of weakness,” says Javier Rosario-Heredia, a junior at the College from Trenton, N.J., who interns for the Glaeser Counseling Center. “However, showing that you are willing to talk about your struggles shows strength and helps you find the support that you need.”

Beyond events like these, the Glaeser Center offers counseling almost every day by appointment Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They offer confidential individual, couple and group counseling, drug and alcohol counseling, assessments and short term therapy to all full time Juniata students when requested. The Glaeser Center has internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

“We have a psychiatrist, Dr. Pontzer, who is available on Tuesday afternoons for medication evaluations and monitoring,” says Pat Hunter, a licensed counselor at the College. “We help all students whether it be for a student who has never been on medication before but wants to explore if this may be a helpful option for them or to continue scripts for students who are already prescribed a medication regime.”

For more information and other resources, please visit: https://www.ruok.org.au/every-day-resources. Be sure to reach out and find supportive, safe, and confidential environments.

-- Written by Sierra Waite ’21 -- 

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.