We explore three common reasons students seek counselling, and ways you can help friends in need

Being a student can be demanding. Balancing schoolwork with life’s demands can take a toll. But you’re not in it alone.

Counselling gives you tools to support your mental wellness and one-on-one time with someone who wants to listen and help you plan for life’s challenges.

We talked to Julie Egers, Manager, Student Development and Counselling (SDC), about the top three reasons students seek SDC support, and what you can do to help fellow students in need.

“My hope is, with the many services at SAIT, people recognize they’re in a supportive community. Sometimes, we hear people say ‘I should be able to manage this alone’ — but the point of this support network is that, even if you could do it on your own, you don’t have to.”

3 common things SDC can help with

1. Feeling overwhelmed

This is the #1 reason students reach out to SDC. Life asks a lot of us — sometimes, a little too much.

Both in and out of school, Egers says, “A big part of feeling overwhelmed can be feeling like you’re not meeting other people’s demands or you’re underperforming.”

This can also come from comparing yourself negatively to peers, which makes it difficult to speak with others in your support network.

“The beauty of seeing a counsellor is that they’re a neutral person, someone who isn’t going to judge you.”

As for when to reach out to SDC, Egers says not to wait.

“People will sometimes say ‘my problems aren’t that bad,’ or ‘I should be able to do this on my own,’ but often they don’t have time to focus inward with the demands of life.”

Don’t wait until your inner reserves run empty. Feeling overwhelmed can lead to anxiety and panic. SDC can help you create a plan, explore resources to support you or just listen when you need to talk.

2. Life changes and relationships

Attending post-secondary often means facing a new routine and new demands.

“Counselling is a really good way to not just survive everything that is being thrown at you, but to develop positive coping tools to move through the changes and grow from them.”

Egers uses an Apprenticeship schedule to illustrate this. “Apprentices are here for eight to 12 weeks and need to adjust quickly. It means, for a short period, reorganizing your life and facing new pressures. SDC can sit down with students to make a plan to support this change.”

Platonic, romantic or familial relationships are another important part of our day-to-day. SDC counsellors are available to talk to you about relationships, loss and other interpersonal challenges impacting you.  

3. Professional skills

If you’re approaching a co-op term, a capstone project or even graduation, you may be considering your performance in the classroom or workplace.

“Mental performance is about being able to succeed and perform under pressure,” Egers explains. “Having the tools to manage your stress, focus and show what you know is a really big part of why students access Student Development and Counselling.”

Counsellors can work with you to:

• reduce test anxiety
• Increase your confidence
• Bounce back from disappointments
• Break down mental barriers

They are also available to discuss career planning, accounting for your personality, interests, strengths, values and lifestyle needs

“There are so many career options. Each course that you take, whether you enjoyed it or not, is a learning experience and a chance to get to know yourself better. We can talk about that as you explore what your future career could be.”

Big and small ways to support peers

Egers says students need to see themselves as leaders. “When your classmates struggle, you’re in a unique position to notice it when other people may not. If you notice their behavior has changed — maybe they're more withdrawn than they were before, or more agitated — or they’re not participating the way they were before, it’s always helpful to say something.”

If you are comfortable, Egers encourages you to suggest SDC as a resource. She adds that walking a student to the SDC office directly is also a great way to make sure they feel supported.

But even a small conversation can make a big difference.

“Don’t think that a small action is irrelevant or insignificant. It can have incredibly positive impact. When in doubt, you can never go wrong by saying hello.

“We hear those stories so often: what a difference someone made by checking in.”

Names to have in your contact list

Our Student Development and Counselling team is available on campus, Teams or telephone to talk to you, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm. Some evening appointments are available by request.

To book an appointment, connect with SDC on Microsoft Teams or call 403.284.7023.

Appointments can be requested by contacting the office. Same-day drop-in appointments are also available on a first come, first serve basis.

And just in case, for yourself or for those around you, have information for the Distress Centre Calgary saved. They are available 24/7 to support people in crisis or just needing to talk.

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