Coming to college is a big adjustment, so it is normal to feel homesick and overwhelmed. For some, this is a fleeting feeling and for others it may seem like an insurmountable challenge. As a Hopkins Student you are expected to be smart, organized and in control. All of these expectations can yield stress and the impression that you have to be independent enough to handle all that college has to offer. Hopkins, however, has a variety of services that can help you deal with that unwanted stress. The Counseling Center, the Career Center and student-run groups such as APTT (A Place to Talk) and SARU (Sexual Assult Response Unit) are available resources to help you explore your feelings and concerns.
The JHU Counseling Center provides individual counseling, group counseling, consultation, referral and career-decision making advice free of charge for full-time graduate and undergradutate students in the School of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Nursing and the Peabody Institute. Students can meet with a professional staff member individually to determine what services suit their needs. Sessions usually take place once a week for both individuals and couples and last about 50 minutes.
It is important to note that you don't have to have severe emotional problems to come to the Counseling Center, as it is a short-trerm outpatient treatment center. According to the Director of the Counseling Center, Dr. Mond, "The primary role of the Counseling Center is to help students; most of these students are not diagnosable and are dealing with developmental issues."
The top two most common issues seen at the career center involve anxiety and depresion. The majority of the problems are developmental. The number of students who have used the Counseling Center in the past year has increased by 18 percent. Most students come between six to seven times in a year. Some thrive in one-on-one therapy, and others benefit from group therapy; few need more intensive care. For those that do need further assistance, referrals are made based on what their insurance covers.
In the event that psychiatric medication may be needed, a consulting psychiatrist at the Counseling Center will evaluate the student and prescribe and monitor the medication as needed. The Counseling Center can provide screening for ADHD or ADD; however, it does not treat or assess the condition. Instead, the center refers the patient to an off-campus specialist. It can often take up to three months to get an appointment.
Therefore, if you have any learning disability concerns, it is better to work with the Assistant Director of Disability Services, Peggy Hayeslip, as soon as possible, as she can find a therapist or other specialist to work with you.
Also, she can work with Academic Advising to ensure that thefaculty follows through with the accomodations needed to be made.
The Counseling Center can also function as an advocate for the student and, with the student's consent, it can facilitate communication with the student's teachers or parents. The Counseling Center is completely confidential unless the student is dangerous to himself or others.
Students may make appointments by visiting the Counseling Center or by calling (410) 526-8278. In case of emergencies, a professional staff member is on duty every day for immediate assistance, as well as at night, on weekends and during university breaks.
