The NDSU Counseling Center will unveil a newly renovated space in Ceres Hall at 3 p.m., on Wednesday, August 30.
The NDSU Counseling Center is unveiling their newly renovated space in Ceres Hall 212 during an open house event scheduled for 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., on Wednesday, August 30.
During the open house, visitors can meet the NDSU Counseling Center staff, interact with therapy dogs and NDSU’s miniature horses and explore the remodeled space.
Improvements made to the Counseling Center include the addition of a relaxation room, a larger and more comfortable waiting room, removal of florescent lighting and office insulation and white noise broadcast to ensure student privacy during individual sessions.
“The new center provides a more welcoming feel for students,” said Bill Burns, director of the NDSU Counseling Center. “The main function of the center is to help remove obstacles to student success. We know that anxiety, depression, relationship problems and many other mental health-related concerns interfere with a student’s ability to give their academics the focus it needs. Helping a student reduce the mental health concerns in their life can lead to increased academic success.”
During an academic year, Burns estimates the Counseling Center sees 8% to 9% of the NDSU student body population. Last year, the center saw 920 students and completed 6,640 counseling sessions.
“Each year we survey our clients and ask what effect their being in counseling had on their academic success and on their plans to return from one semester to another, or one year to another,” Burns said. “Consistently, 80% to 85% of students report that counseling was helpful for both areas.”
The services provided by the Counseling Center are available at no cost to enrolled NDSU students. The Counseling Center offers individual and group counseling sessions, workshops and special events like DeStress in the Dirt.
