DSU Counseling Center continues connecting with students

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need and importance of Dakota State University’s Counseling Center to be able to connect with students.  

Since the pandemic began impacting classes in March, DSU Counseling Center staff have been individually reaching out to students.

Nicole Bowen, DSU Student Wellness Counselor Lead, said that as they contacted the students, they learned each student’s preferred method of communication, since they could no longer meet in the safe space of a counseling office.

The Counseling Center is currently working to become compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (or HIPAA) with Zoom, enabling them to offer telehealth sessions with students.  Along with maintaining contact with students, counseling employees want to make sure all students know what services they provide.  The Counseling Center offers substance abuse and mental health counseling. They also offer sessions like Mindfulness Monday, group sessions, and the opportunity for social interactions, when students are on campus.

In addition to working with the counseling center, Bowen encourages students and those with college students in their lives to download the Campus Well website and app.

 The application is free and provides a wealth of information for students and student supporters. The Counseling Center also has a Facebook page where they share information.