Comprehensive Counseling Center
Jacob Aron Student Union Annex
14000 Hwy 82 W, #7287
Voice: (662) 254-3830 Fax: (662) 254-3529
Office Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Mission Statement Parents in Transition
Counseling Resources Meet our Staff
Services for Student Information for Faculty and Staff
What’s Going On?
Mission Statement
The
Counseling services are an important component of the educational services provided to the student at
Parents In Transition
Attention!!!
Parents, Congratulations! Your child is finally leaving home. There are many benefits that come with this transition. This is a very significant developmental period for your son or daughter.
For you, this will be a sad, but joyous occasion. Whether your child plans to commute and continue living at home or move onto campus, or whether you are experiencing, for the first or last time, a child leaving home, this requires and adjustment for you as well as your child. This is considered a time of “Release,” and to some a “Relief.” Yes, as parents, it is time to “Let Go.” No one said the transition would be easy, but it is your responsibility as parents to understand this transitional moment. It is true that you will experience what we as counselors consider separation anxiety. It may be helpful to realize that you and your child’s relationship will change as he/she is faced with challenges of developing into a young adult and pursue creating al life of his/her own.
For your child, this will be a time of exploration and developing independence. This will also be the time for your con or daughter to gain self-identify outside of your household. Your child at this time may question your values and belief system, nonetheless, he or she will examine family, friends, and even themselves in this process of clarification.
Parents, while exciting, this transition can, at times, be a difficult experience. Contrary to what you may think, the family values that you have instilled in your child will not become diluted just because he or she has left home. You, as parents, may even begin to question your own parenting skills by asking yourself, “Can they really take care of themselves when faced with issues such as alcohol, drugs, or sex?” It is natural for you to want your child’s successes and behaviors to reflect positively on you as parents.
Parents, have no fear, your training is not in vain. Everything your children learned from you is now a vital part of their lives. The training you provided, now serves as a major part of who your children are. This is a time in their lives when they will explore and experiment with things that may challenge their values and beliefs, yet may influence them to develop new values and beliefs. For example, you may notice a change in their social circle, music, and clothes. Please, don’t get excited. Eventually, they are going to put things into their proper perspective, because they are only in search of fitting in. As parents, you can take this opportunity as an invitation to offer unconditional support to your children so that this transition can be as painless as possible for you and your children.
Seven things you can do to help:
1. Support your child’s ideas without being critical of them. They are only going through a period of trial and error.
2. Understand– Become a part of your child’s new life so that you can see that your child is not you but has an identity of his/her own.
3. Patience is a virtue. If you practice patience with your child, the ending rewards are virtuous.
4. Persistence – Stay on top of your child’s life. Get involved with activities that interest them. Then, as they grow, you grow as well.
5. Orientate by offering direction and guidance. Make yourself accessible to their needs.
6. Relationship – Your relationship with your child is definitely going to change, but make sure you focus on the positive changes rather than ignore the changes.
7. Teach your child to problem-solve for himself/herself. This allows room for autonomy. If your child appears to demonstrate poor problem-solving skills, do not criticize, instead make suggestions that you feel will give them some positive options.
Counseling Resources
During college, many situations and feelings arise, both inside and outside of the classroom, that leave you looking for information, solutions, skills, and personal growth and exploration. These issues may relate to several aspects of your life: social, emotional, physical, career, or academic.
In addition to offering seminars and outreach programs, complimentary handouts are available at the
Books
Videotapes
Pamphlets
Interactive Computer Programs
The resource room is available to all MVSU students, faculty, and staff. The
Meet Our Staff
The
Mrs. Severia McCall, B.A.
Secretary
Ext. 3830
Ms. Yolanda Jones, M.S.
Professional Counselor
Ext. 3831
Mr. C. Renard Williams, M.S.
Professional Counselor
Jacob Aron Student Union Annex #119
Ext. 3832
Ms. Tockie V. Hemphill, M.S., CRC
Director
Professional Counselor
Ext. 3528
Services For Students
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING
Occasionally, students encounter situations that affect their learning environment. Professional counselors at the center provide an atmosphere where individuals are able to develop self-knowledge, problem solving skills, and coping strategies.
GROUP COUNSELING
The center offers a variety of programs conducted in a group setting. Six to twelve individuals meet with a professional counselor for a pre-planned number of sessions or on an ongoing basis throughout the semester. A current listing may be obtained by calling or visiting the center.
EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING/SUPPORT SERVICES
Many students experience difficulty in the area of academics. When these situations arise, professional counselors can assist students with discovering the causes and overcoming them. An additional resource provided for student experiencing educational difficulties is provided by counselors in the counseling center and at
REFERRAL SERVICES
Sometimes referral to an outside agency may be helpful. Our office has an extensive referral network to help meet a variety of individual needs.
CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES
For emergency situation on campus, their professional counseling staff can be contacted for assistance.
CAREER EXPLORATION
Professional counselors can assist student assist students with clarifying interest, aptitudes, skills, values, and experiences. In addition, the
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Our staff can provide presentations for students, faculty, staff, and the university community. Some program topics include: Depression, Time Management, Stress Management, Test Taking Success, Communication Skills, Grief and Loss, Alcohol Use, Drug Use, Career Choices, and Sexual Assault.
Information for Faculty and Staff
You come in close contact with a wide variety of students on a daily basis. You get to know some of these individuals very well, and are familiar with their moods and behaviors. Thus, you are in an excellent position to notice attitudinal or behavioral changes that might indicate an adjustment difficulty or emotional problem. Working together, we may be able to identify and assist students who need additional support in order to remain enrolled and be successful at MVSU. The following information may help you to understand how we can work together.
OBSERVABLE SIGNS
THAT MAY INDICATE THAT A STUDENT IS HAVING PROBLEMS
(Please consider referring these students to the
Talk about suicide, abuse, or other trauma
Withdrawal or isolation from others
Inability to concentrate in class
Sudden change in hygiene or appearance
Sudden drop in class attendance, participation, or performance
Display of symptoms of depression
Crying or sleeping in class
Change in peer groups
Unusually high or low energy level
Dramatic change in weight
GUIDELINES FOR REFERRING A STUDENT FOR COUNSELING SERVICES
(Non-Emergency)
Speak directly to the student and express your concern.
Give the student the counseling center’s location and telephone number.
Encourage the student to make contact.
GUIDELINES FOR URGENT OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Call the counseling center at (662) 254-3830 for a counselor.
If a counselor is not available, ask for the secretary.
If you cannot get a counselor or the secretary, contact MVSU security at (662) 254-3478.
THE COUNSELORS @ MVSU CAN:
Answer your questions concerning steps to take in assisting students.
Offer information about personal concerns and problems.
Provide referral services for students and employees of MVSU.
THE COUNSELORS @ MVSU CANNOT:
Indicate whether or not a student is being seen or has made an appointment without the student’s written consent.
Discuss content of a session or treatment without the student’s consent.
Take disciplinary action.
MVSU’s counselors at the
What's Going On?
Each month, all professional counselors are encouraged to promote commemorative events that relate to the work and interests of professional counselors. Participating in the commemoration activities offers valuable opportunities to raise public awareness about the counseling profession and to highlight particular aspects of counseling practices and the values and ideas of the profession. They also offer opportunities for networking and collaborating with others.
JANUARY:
Autism Awareness Month is a comprehensive effort to reach out to the public to share information about autism.
National Stalking Awareness Month is a bipartisan resolution passed with a unanimous vote in the U.S. Senate. The month promotes greater awareness of stalking crimes.
FEBRUARY:
Black History Month recognizes the achievements and contributions of African-Americans to American life.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week seeks to expand public awareness of eating disorders and to challenge cultural attitudes and values that contribute to eating disorders.
MARCH:
National Women’s History Month is dedicated to reexamining and celebrating the wide range of women’s contributions and achievements that are often overlooked in the telling of
National Collegiate Health and Wellness Week promotes healthy lifestyles, natural highs and mental, physical, and spiritual wellness.
Children and Health Care Week is an international public awareness campaign focusing on the unique needs of children and families in health care settings.
Deaf History Month commemorates three events in the history of deaf Americans:
(1) the victory of the Deaf President Now movement at
(2) the founding of Gallaudet (April 8)
(3) the creation of the first public school for the deaf (April 15)
APRIL:
Alcohol Awareness Month helps raise awareness among community prevention leaders and citizens about the problem of underage drinking. The month concentrates on community grassroots activities.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a national public awareness campaign to promote the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Take Our Daughters to Work Day is a national public education campaign sponsored by the Ms. Foundation for Women in which adults are encouraged to take girls ages 9-15 to work with them for the day. The purpose of this initiative is to focus attention on the needs and concerns of girls, to raise their aspirations, and to help them stay focus on their future during adolescence.
MAY:
National Mental Health Month educations Americans about mental health and illness.
Older Americans Month is observed throughout the
National Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month recognizes the contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders to American life.
National Safe Kids Week focuses on helping parents and caregivers fight preventable injury, the leading killer of children ages 14 and under. National Safe Kids Week addresses the risk children face at home, at play, and while traveling.
National Nursing Home Week seeks to familiarize the public with long-term care facilities and the services they provide. Activities are conducted locally by long-term care facilities.
JUNE:
National HIV Testing Day seeks to increase awareness about HIV and encourage voluntary testing and counseling.
AUGUST:
National Immunization Awareness Month increases awareness about immunization over the lifespan.
SEPTEMBER:
National Rehabilitation Week celebrates the determination of more than 43 million people with disabilities in
National Hispanic Heritage Month encourages Hispanic awareness among all
Banned Books Week seeks to promote greater public awareness about the importance of the freedom to read, the freedom of expression, and the harm censorship causes to our society.
OCTOBER:
Month of the Young Adolescent seeks to educate parents and the general public about the needs of young adolescents. This month was founded by the National Middle School Association in collaboration with the American Counseling Association and 28 other national organizations.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month collaborates with local programs, state coalitions, and national organizations to conduct awareness campaigns and special events to educate the public about the problem of domestic violence and its effect on the victims and community.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month was designated by the President and Congress to encourage public awareness events and activities that promote implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the employment of persons with disabilities. The President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities produces a kit of educational resources that can be used in carrying out public awareness activities.
Child Health Day was proclaimed by President Coolidge in 1928. Its goal is to draw attention to the status of children’s health and the importance of comprehensive school health and the importance of comprehensive school health education.
World Mental Health Day serves as a focal point in raising public awareness of mental health issues worldwide. Public events such as conferences, ceremonies, advice caravans, and pamphlet distributions are organized by groups in more than 100 countries and six continents.
National Coming Out Day commemorates the 1987 March on
NOVEMBER:
National Alzheimer’s Disease Month increases awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common and incurable form of dementia.
National American Indian Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of native peoples to American life.
National Hospice Month seeks to promote greater awareness of hospice care and to honor patients, family members, hospice professionals, and volunteers.
American Education Week focuses attention on the importance of education and the opportunities it creates for all persons.
Great American Smokeout celebrates smoke-free environments. The day is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and fosters community-based activities that encourage smokers to quit for at least 24 hours.
DECEMBER:
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month takes place in December because statistics indicate that impaired driving is at its peak during this month. The month is a time when communities nationwide join together to conduct public awareness and enforcement campaigns to prevent impaired driving.
Other Suggestions?
Have we missed a commemorative event that you think professionals counselors
should know about and consider participating in?
Call us at (662) 254-3830, (800) 347-6647, extension 359 to share your suggestions and ideas.
