Common Questions about Mental Health and Wellness at NC State College

A: Absolutely. Talking to a counselor is normal and may be very beneficial.

A: Yes! If you are currently enrolled in classes at NC State, you may use the free SAP services. However, middle-school and high-school students cannot use SAP. They must talk to their school counselors or school health departments.

A: NC State contracts with New Directions Counseling center of Mansfield, Ohio, to provide this service to students on campus. The SAP counselors conduct an assessment of student needs and goals and discuss options. They also make referrals if needed.

A: For questions regarding NC State’s free SAP, please call New Directions Counseling Center at 419-529-9941.

A: No. CCP and CNOW students are excluded. Middle-school and high-school students enrolled at NC State through the College Credit Plus (CCP) or College-NOW programs should contact their middle- or high-school counseling department or health department for mental health services.

A: Yes. Students who desire to utilize NC State’s free Student Assistance Program (SAP) for counseling must be an enrolled student—but not in the CCP or CNOW program (see above). Having health insurance is not required.

A: No. A referral is not needed. However, many students are referred to SAP from faculty, academic advisors, and other students. Let your friends and fellow students know about SAP’s free counseling services.

A: Yes! All services are confidential*, which means staff at the Student Assistance Program (SAP) protect your identity and any information you choose to share about yourself: they do not provide that information to anyone else, not even your family. SAP provides assessment, brief counseling, and referral services for a wide range of concerns.

*Editor’s Note: Counselors in the State of Ohio are required by law to report some acts or potential acts of harm, such as violence, neglect, and abuse. Our counselors will have a confidential conversation with you about this topic and provide opportunities for you to ask questions.

A: SAP counselors are able to provide some clinical diagnoses that would help a student receive disability accommodations. We refer students to a trained professional for an assessment if they desire accommodations related to concerns of a possible specific learning disorder such dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, among others. Students with questions about the SAP’s abilities and limitations may call New Directions at 419-529-9941 and request to speak to Tessa Bianchi, LPCC.

A: If you think you may have test anxiety, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with the SAP program to meet with one of our counselors. There are several helpful strategies we utilize to help students reduce their test anxiety. Some students may only need two (2) to four (4) appointments before they find relief from test anxiety.

A: A great first step is talking to a counselor through NC State’s free Student Assistance Program (SAP) (see above).

A: Yes. Being in college is not easy. It can be very stressful. We understand. Students who attend NC State College often have challenging life circumstances and responsibilities—like work, family, parenting, caregiving, and military service. You might also have struggles with money, housing, transportation, childcare, health and medical conditions, and mental health needs, among others. It all adds up. It’s important to talk to someone who can help you sort things out for yourself.

A: Contact a counselor at NC State’s free Student Assistant Program (SAP) by calling this number: 419-529-9941.

A: Also, if you need immediate help, do not wait to use these services. Call for help.

A: The first thing you can do is be a good friend. Be present. Be kind. And listen without judgement. You can also validate their feelings, appreciate their courage, and refer them to sources of support: this approach was developed by a national studentto- student support organization called Active Minds. The approach is called the “3 V-A-R Steps: Validate, Appreciate, Refer.”

A: Currently, no support groups are offered on campus. However, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups in the community. SAP counselors are aware of other support groups that may benefit a student. In addition, NAMI does have a chapter on our campus (which is not a support group) and works with SAP counselors to identify student needs and desires.

Reach out to Associate Director Annabelle Coffman at 419-522-6264 if you are interested in joining NAMI on Campus, which is open to students who are enrolled at NC State or OSU-Mansfield.