Make yourself at home: Get comfortable in a lounge chair and pick some “thinking putty” or whatever toy suits you from the basket on the floor. Then squish, or bend, or flex it to your heart’s content while you talk to one of the counselors at the Center for Student Wellness & Counseling Services (CSWCS).
“If a student is in distress while they’re talking to me, it helps for them to distract themselves with the thinking putty and let their negative energy out,” said Jennifer Dougall, Ph.D., director of the CSWCS, during a recent open house. That technique can help students when they are studying, too, she added.
The counseling staff has created a welcoming, cozy new space on campus between the Department of Psychiatry and the Aneal Mohan Kohli Academic & Information Technology Center (Kohli Center). Over the lunch hour on Thursday, Oct. 3, cider and donut holes were free for the taking and Dr. Dougall and her staff were on hand for an open house to show students the CSWCS’s new setting.
It’s not all work
Once inside the private waiting area, visitors could view each counselor’s office, decorated with soothing colors and calming lighting.
Stephanie Orwick, assistant director of the CSWCS, proudly pointed out the artwork in her office, noting, “I have a window to the Rootstown Beach.” (She also has a good sense of humor.)
The newest counselor, Jessica Lansinger, described her personal style as “inspirational, empowering and quirky” – as demonstrated by the poster with a unicorn (ironic, of course).
“I like to let the students know it’s not all work. You’ve got to have some fun, too.”
Here to help
The Center for Student Wellness and Counseling Services provides direct individual counseling services for a variety of concerns, including stress, burnout, time management, relationship problems, anxiety, depression and other matters related to a student’s overall mental well-being. The Center also provides resource information on wellness topics and is responsible for student outreach programming designed to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Suite A-200, next to the Aneal Mohan Kohli Academic & Information Technology Center (Kohli Center)
Call 330.325.6757 or email counseling@neomed.edu.
If you are experiencing an emotional or psychiatric crisis and are unable to reach a NEOMED counselor, please contact the Community Crisis Resources.
Immediate Life-Threatening
CALL 9-911
NEOMED Police: 330.325.5911
NEOMED Security: 330.325.6489
National Crisis Assistance 24/7
Crisis Text Line: Text 741-741 for immediate, anonymous and free assistance
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800.273.8255
Sexual Abuse National Network: 800.656.4673