The Covid pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health over the past year. Unfortunately there is still a stigma that comes with seeking counseling for mental health. Many people find it easier to talk over the phone or via text from the comfort of their own home rather than going to a doctors office. This has led to an increase in mental health hotlines, and other services that offer 24/7 anonymous and confidential counseling services. Social distancing has also made it necessary for many in-person counseling services to meet with patients over Zoom.
QCC has done very well in making sure their counseling services are still accessible to students during the pandemic. The Counseling and Wellness Office also has a list of self help resources available on the QCC website, and have announced that all counseling will remain virtual for the time being. Even after a return to in person learning, counseling services should offer virtual services along with in-person counseling.
Oftentimes it can be difficult for people to seek counseling for mental health issues, and virtual counseling being available may be a first step for a lot of people. People are also busy, and virtual counseling services are far more convenient for a lot of people than in person. While virtual counseling could be a gateway that leads people to seek counseling many people still find in-person counseling to be more effective, and there are countless studies that show its benefits. Counseling is far from one size fits all and there are many benefits to both virtual and in person counseling.
I spoke with a fellow student who has made use of QCC’s in person counseling services and asked them if they felt in person or virtual counseling was better and why? They told me “online counseling is alright in a pinch, it’s more convenient which could guide people to seek out help more often, but the experience of in person counseling is superior.” There is also a study showing that talk therapy can be as effective as antidepressants in the initial treatment of moderate to severe depression.
There are other benefits to in person counseling, it’s easier to build a rapport and sense of trust with a counselor you can see than it is with someone over the phone. It also makes the counselor’s job easier if they can actually see the person they’re working with. When I asked what makes in-person counseling better? Do you feel more of a connection with the counselor in person? I was told “It’s easier to build trust, and the psychologist can read the patients body language more.” In-person counseling clearly has many benefits, and is the best option for many people.
Going forward it’s important that QCC finds a way to offer counseling that helps the most possible students seek help. Many students will still find the in-person services that the Counseling and Wellness office will hopefully return to offering as soon as safely possible. But for many students it would be helpful if the school set up some kind of anonymous service where students could call or text with someone about concerns or issues they might be having related to school. In the end what matters is that the school offers students the counseling services that work best for them, and will make them more likely to seek help.
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