Student Life

Fairmont State Counseling Services

Makayla Shindler, Staff Reporter|January 27, 2021

As this new semester begins, some students may be struggling with their mental health. The beginning of each new semester can be stressful to both new students and returning students, especially with how Covid-19 has made such a big impact on everyday life. Before Covid-19, if students needed to talk to a counselor, they could just report to 316 in the Turley Center anytime between 8 am and 4 pm, Monday – Friday. Now, the amount of available in-person appointments are limited. However, there are other ways to reach counselors to set up appointments.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Fairmont State’s Director of Counseling/Licensed Psychologist, Andrea Pammer, MA. When asked how Covid-19 has affected students’ mental health this past year, she had responded, “While some students may find themselves in a serious struggle to find meaning during this difficult time, many students have adjusted well and are resilient. Generally speaking, areas that have been affected are motivation, attention, wellness behaviors, and mood. Research shows that focusing on wellness by incorporating daily wellness and self-care activities can help in staving off many negative effects.” Pammer then offered some tips for students who have been negatively affected at this time. They are:

Take breaks when feeling overwhelmed
Sleep. It greatly impacts our overall health
Focus on things you can control
Reach out to others
Implement self-care activities
Set achievable goals
Practice Mindfulness
Exercise
Eat Well
Reach out for help!

If any students are interested in setting up an appointment with counseling services, they may do so by calling their office at 304-333-3661, emailing [email protected], or completing an online request form at www.fairmontstate.edu/counseling. The clinical staff is available Mondays and Tuesdays from 8 am to 6 pm, and Wednesdays through Fridays from 8 am to 4 pm. If students are struggling with their mental health, having negative effects, or just feel like talking, do not hesitate to reach out. Students are not alone; counseling services are here to help them.