May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Counseling Services encourages you to pause and think about your emotional and psychological well-being. Some things to consider:

• At some point in their life, 46% of all Americans will show signs and symptoms of a diagnosable mental health condition.
• Mental health concerns (such as stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem, and substance use) impact us all, even when they’re not a diagnosable disorder.
• When not addressed, struggles with mental health impact success in school by affecting concentration, clarity of thought, focus, memory, energy, and engagement in class.
• Mental health struggles also impact our personal relationships, employment, and general satisfaction with our lives.
• Fears about what other people think – as well as personal stigmas around mental illness – are a primary reason people don’t reach out for help. But if you’re having a hard time, that doesn’t mean you’re strange or messed up or bad. You’re not alone in your struggles, and people are eager to support you.

It’s been a difficult few years, and you may be feeling the weight of it. Central Piedmont’s Counseling Services is here to provide emotional support and help you find new ways to cope as you sort things out. Services are free and confidential to enrolled students. To learn more, complete our Service Request Form, email counseling@cpcc.edu, or phone 704.330.6420.