Often, the classwork, projects, and due dates students face are only one small aspect of the stress they might experience throughout the school year. Troubles within their personal lives, such as grief, anxiety, or heartbreak, can completely disrupt a student鈥檚 ability to focus, maintain their social life, or rise to the academic expectations set for them. Bellarmine鈥檚 Counseling Center hopes to provide a space for struggling students to receive support, comfort, and empowerment鈥攁nd is helping them accomplish this.
The Counseling Center is located in Treece Hall, found on the second floor of Centro. Inside, students can construct puzzles, distract themselves with fidget toys, or read the inspirational material lining the walls while waiting for their appointment with a counselor. Depending on the student鈥檚 needs, they may visit a counselor to engage in short-term individual therapy, participate in workshops, or receive a referral for medication. Appointments can be in-person or online via the service Telehealth.
These services are free and confidential for all Bellarmine students. The Counseling Center鈥檚 goal is to provide short-term therapy sessions, prioritizing coping skills, problem-solving, and emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness.
Another service arriving at the Counseling Center comes in collaboration with Togetherall: a clinically moderated mental health resource. This platform provides an anonymous online space for students to express their emotions, ask for advice, and support (and be supported by!) a global community of peers. In addition to the 3,000 students at Bellarmine, Togetherall supports 4.6 million students across 450 campuses.
To ensure order, respect, and safety for all students who participate, a team of licensed technicians monitors and moderates the community.
鈥淐linical moderation for any online support is essential,鈥� Dr. Gary Petiprin, the Director of the Counseling Center and the Associate Dean of Students, revealed in 鈥淲ithout the clinical moderation component, I would not feel comfortable utilizing a similar online peer-based support service.鈥�
Dr. Petiprin believes the Counseling Center鈥檚 inclusion of Togetherall鈥檚 services will provide a 鈥渕ulti-faceted and holistic approach that includes peer support.鈥� This multi-faceted approach can be reflected all throughout Bellarmine鈥檚 mission, including our goal to educate, improve, and increase understanding of the mind, body, and spirit.
鈥淢y vision for our students and entire campus community is to build a collective social environment that fosters resilience and emotional/social well-being,鈥� Dr. Petiprin said. 鈥淢y hope is that every single student has someone in whom they can confide and receive genuine empathy and encouragement. Supporting one another in our quest for well-being and dealing with life鈥檚 challenges should be the collective work of our entire community, not just the Counseling Center. I believe the name 鈥淭ogetherall鈥� reflects that very vision.鈥�
To receive help beyond peer-to-peer connections, the Counseling Center provides crisis intervention support. Call 502.272.8480 to schedule an appointment or speak to an on-call counselor.
To report concerns, ask questions, or provide comments, email gpetiprin@bellarmine.edu or contact the Counseling Center directly.