5 days Ago By MICHAEL MILLIORN | Advocate Staff Writer
Victoria College introduced a MEN-tal Health group where male students and staff can meet and discuss issues regarding their mental health and wellness in an accepting environment. The group was requested by male students at the college who were seeking an outlet to freely discuss their mental health in a safe place free of judgment. Male students on campus voiced that they felt asking for help when needed was difficult and is often seen as a weakness, Brittany Proctor, licensed professional counselor and chemical dependency counselor at Victoria College, said.
They felt having a peer group of men who value mental health awareness would make it easier for other men to reach out for help. “Therapy is wonderfully beneficial for some students, but for some, it can be intimidating or stigmatized,” Proctor said. “Offering a peer group, rather than relying solely on therapy, can encourage students who may not seek support otherwise to finally reach out for help.
” Men struggling with mental health may feel more inclined to participate in group therapy as opposed to individual therapy. Group settings can feel less intimidating and create a sense of camaraderie and shared experience. They also normalize the group members’ feelings and give participants different perspectives on coping strategies and support network building.
“It encourages openness, allowing men to express vulnerabilities without fear of judgment, which can lead to greater emotional awareness and healthier coping strategies,” Proctor said. “These spaces foster a supportive community that helps men feel less isolated, providing peer support that can be crucial in managing stress, anxiety, and depression.” Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! Victoria College hopes students who participate in the MEN-tal Health meetings will learn strategies to support not just their own mental wellbeing but also others in need.
The college aims to build a community that emphasizes open communication and encourages men to seek help when in need. “The students themselves led discussions surrounding the structure and format of the group,” Proctor said. “Students requested that a licensed counselor be present, but not primarily active in sessions, to offer clinical knowledge and oversight, but requested that they primarily lead supporting one another and discussions.
” All of Victoria College’s counseling groups are organized based on student demand. The school offers regular Grief & Loss and Student Parent support groups as these groups were similarly requested by students. The college offers free individual counseling for all actively enrolled students as well.
“We encourage our students to reach out and let us know of any service or group they would like offered here at the VC Counseling Center,” Proctor said. The counseling center can provide guided support for medication referrals and instruct students on how to use health insurance for services pertaining to mental health. Victoria College has partnered with BetterMynd to offer students free online counseling on demand as well.
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