Kean university counseling center here for students in times of need

Not only is September back to school month, but it is also National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month. Mental health awareness has grown rapidly over the past few years in the United States, especially with mental health organizations such as To Write Love On Her Arms, The Trevor Project, and Project Semicolon.

While these national organizations promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention around the United States, there is a place right here at Kean University where students can go if they are ever in need of someone to talk to.

Kean University Counseling and Disability services, located in Downs Hall room DN 127, provides a counseling service to all Kean University students. “All records of the Kean University Office of Disability Services are private and confidential,” according to the confidentiality policy on their official web page.

“Information gathered when you visit our office does not become part of a permanent University record or personnel file, nor does it appear on any transcript or official document of any kind.”

Though Kean offers these services, students are not always aware of it.

“I had no idea Kean even had counseling services,” said Antonia Errico, a junior at Kean. “That’s really great that they provide students with a place to go if they ever need it.”

For other students, the Counseling and Disability Center has been an important part of their life.

“The counseling center was really helpful for me during my time as an undergrad,” said Kean graduate, Julia Fusco. “It’s such an awesome resource and it’s right on campus. It was really awesome to have as a resident on campus because you can just call or email and you have an appointment. No questions asked.”

There are eight professionals with expertise in different areas who work at the counseling center who are there to help the students of Kean if they are ever in a time of need.

Dr. Kiefner, Dr. Annan and Dr. Feinman are licensed psychologists. Ms. Coppola, Ms. Quinn and Ms. Barnett are licensed social workers, and Ms. Cheng and Ms. Vitola are professional counselors.

“The doctors and counselors at the counseling center are seriously the best,” said Emily Gibison, a senior at Kean. “They are so professional and super helpful and every time I’ve gone I’ve left feeling so much better.”

Not only does the Counseling and Disability Center provide counseling services, but they also host “Wellness Workshops” that explore the eight dimensions of wellness-emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual wellness.

“There’s this weird stigma for some reason about going to get help when you need it, said Jessica Ivins, a senior at Kean. “But it’s okay to go get help when you need it. And the people at counseling services know that-that’s what they’re here for. It’s okay to seek help and it’s okay to not feel okay 100 percent of the time.”

The offices of Kean University Counseling and Disability Services are open from 9am to 5pm during the fall, winter and spring semesters and from 8:15am to 5:30pm during campus summer hours. You can contact Kean University Counseling and DisabilityServices by calling (908) 737-4850, or by emailing counseling@kean.edu.