For Carol Kimbrough and her team in Crisis Counseling and Emotional Wellness Services
at Hartnell College, the goal is always to help as many students as possible navigate
life while moving forward with their education.
Since the college switched to all-online instruction on March 25 as a precaution against COVID-19, the counselors’ work is more in demand – and more urgent – than ever.
“I am amazed with our students,” said Kimbrough, a psychology instructor who serves as Hartnell’s clinical supervisor for crisis counseling. “They want to have that bright future, and we are going to do anything possible to get them there.”
Even without the added stress of shelter-in-place and the unfamiliarity of online instruction, college is a mental health challenge for many students.
Seventy-five percent of Hartnell students are the first in their family to go to college, which produce high expectations from parents who may not fully appreciate the demands of higher education, Kimbrough said. Some families even expect students to work a set amount in support of the household.
These realities produce stress in young adults who feel unable to fulfill all the duties imposed onto them, academically and personally, she said.
Although Hartnell campuses are otherwise closed to students, and most employees are working from home, the Crisis Counseling and Emotional Wellness Center is still available for all Hartnell students with extended hours, five therapists (including bilingual) and expanded telephone counseling hours. In addition, its offices in Building D on the Main Campus in Salinas remain open for walk-ins, while observing social distancing.
Students can see a therapist for 10 sessions, and once those are exhausted, their case is evaluated for a possible extension.
“Some individuals take longer to heal than others,” said Kimbrough, who has counseled Hartnell students for 40 years. “This is why we want to make sure everyone is aware we are here to get them through the tough times.”
Childhood abuse or neglect is one factor that can lead students to seek help. Addressing those issues through counseling can enable them to stay engaged in their academics, learn to connect with positive influences and discover that long-term therapy is available, she said.
Kimbrough recounts the case of a female student with three children who was homeless, living in a car and worried about both safety and food. The student was taking a full-time course load and ready to give up. She couldn’t find work – and was anxious, desperate and suicidal. The woman’s own childhood trauma exacerbated her depression and pessimism for her future.
With just a few sessions of crisis counseling at Hartnell, she saw her future in a different light. The student found a safe haven at Hartnell and found power within herself to graduate and continue on to a four-year university.
Kimbrough said COVID-19 poses specific new challenges for students who find themselves trying to keep up with course content while struggling with online technology, and either social isolation or crowded conditions at home.
She recommends limited television viewing to get away from the news, taking a walk and similar healthful activities, establishing a daily routine, attending to personal hygiene, listening to music and staying connected with friends, as well as reading and writing daily affirmations in a journal.
“We encourage students to stay safe,” Kimbrough said. “Let us know how to help you.”
The Crisis Counseling and Emotional Wellness Services at Hartnell College encourages students who feel stressed, anxious, overwhelmed or insecure to seek support by calling (831) 770-7019. Details about center services also are available on the college website at: https://www.hartnell.edu/students/programs/crisis-counseling-services.html.