by Hannah Cron | Oct 5, 2020 | COVID-19, News Slider
Lipscomb’s University Counseling Center has seen an increase in the demand for mental health services this semester, due in part to the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The University Counseling Center, located on the second floor of the Student Activities Center, offers free, confidential services to all Lipscomb students. “In the past, the Counseling Center has seen faculty and staff, but something that is new this year is that we are limiting it to just students so we can be more available because there is the expectation that we are going to have an increased number (of students). I think there has already been an increase in demand for services,” said Ashley Dumas, assistant director of the Counseling Center. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression have been on the rise nationwide this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders. Among Lipscomb students, it is no different. While mental health conditions are typically more prevalent in 18-25-year-olds than other age groups, the events of this year have caused an increase in the demand for mental health counseling among young adults. “We certainly are seeing an increase in appointment requests,” said Dumas. “Generally, for college students, mental health issues are on the rise and that was the case before Covid-19 happened. What we are seeing in those appointment requests is (that) a high number are anxiety-related, stress and depression.” Despite an increase in appointment requests, the University Counseling Center has been able to keep up with the demand for their services thus far. “Right now, we are managing the demand. We have a lot...
by Emily Snell | Sep 10, 2012 | News Slider
National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 9-15, and Lipscomb’s counseling center staff reminds students that resources are available for those who have concerns about depression, suicide or other issues. Director of the counseling center Dr. Paul Cates, Ed.D, LMFT, LPC, said students should seek out “anyone they feel comfortable talking with,” especially faculty and staff, if they’re struggling with something. “A pretty good percentage of the population will have periods of depression,” Cates said. “Those are situational. We have things that throw us a curve, and it takes time to work through it. “There are all kinds of reasons why we get down, and it’s in those kinds of times that we’re going to think drastically,” he said. “And that’s a good time to go talk to a counselor or talk to somebody that you feel is a good listener who can share some experienced wisdom with you and can help you work through those things.” Cates said suicide is not as common at Lipscomb as it might be in other communities but said there have been times when he’s had suicidal clients at the counseling center. He said students should not take it lightly if they know someone who might be suicidal. “If an individual has been thinking suicidally, that is something you take very seriously.” To Write Love on Her Arms, “a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide,” reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds. The International Association for Suicide Prevention reports that women attempt suicide 2-3 times...
by Cory Woodroof | Aug 21, 2012 | Opinion
Lipscomb has more than 400 faculty members, each with an area of expertise and life experiences that shape what they bring to the classroom. While we at Lumination believe that Lipscomb’s entire faculty provides something special for our campus and its students, we’ve created a list of a few people who we believe would be especially beneficial for students to know during their time at the college. Tenielle Buchanan Mrs. Buchanan is the associate dean of students for intercultural development and the staff adviser for Kappa Iota Theta, the multicultural student organization on campus. She also serves as adjunct professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism and the LU seminar series. tenielle.buchanan@lipscomb.edu Campus Ministry team Jason Parker, Keela Evans, Caroline Morris and Jake Burton are all a part of the Campus Ministry team, who help coordinate chapel and serve as spiritual mentors for students. If you ever have any chapel credit issues, they are the ones to contact. Jake Burton also heads ‘The Joshua Project’ – a mentoring program on campus. jake.burton@lipscomb.edu keela.evans@lipscomb.edu jason.parker@lipscomb.edu caroline.morris@lipscomb.edu Emily Harris Mrs. Harris is the director of campus recreation. At the Student Activity Center, students can get a workout in, play a game of basketball and even take a class with a trained expert. Mrs. Harris is the person to contact for any information about fitness and wellness on campus. To find out more about Mrs. Harris, read our feature story from this summer. emily.harris@lipscomb.edu Teresa Williams Mrs. Williams is the director of student advocacy here on campus. Her job is to serve as a mediator...
by Emily Snell | Jun 28, 2012 | Uncategorized
A homeless man sitting on a park bench. A single mom searching for work. Foster kids waiting for new homes. At a small dance studio in East Nashville, young children are rehearsing these scenes from a play, and in the process, nurturing their creative talents and learning about social justice. CreateAffect, a weeklong summer camp for children ages 5-11, educates kids about social justice issues like homelessness and modern-day slavery, while supporting the artistic community and teaching kids to express their creative side. CreateAffect Founder Abby Wahlers said she’s seen the kids come alive as they learn the positive impact they can have on the world. “A lot of kids came alive when they realized that what they were doing was making a difference,” she said. “They see that impact, and they flourish and come alive; and they want to do it more and more. Seeing that makes me come alive and makes me want to do more, and I love it. I love that cycle.” Wahlers, who has degrees in elementary education and human development from Wheelock College in Boston, said she thinks it’s important to teach children about social justice so that they more fully develop their innate empathy. “I think we’re all born with the capability to empathize,” she said. “We’re born with it, but I think along the way, we lose it. But these kids still have it. There are so many areas in their lives where they don’t get to choose, and they don’t get to be a force or to make a difference or to have an impact. When they’re able to reach...
by Crystal Davis | Apr 12, 2012 | Opinion
I’m one of the not-so-young students here on campus, so I experience some things younger, normal-aged Lipscomb students might not – like losing your life, your meaning, your point of being here. I’m almost 25, a Lipscomb senior with an Associate of Science, and I’ll be receiving my Bachelor of Arts this fall. I’m what you call ‘extremely indecisive about life.’ After a lot of soul searching, I first decided I wanted to be a doctor. I had my heart set on being a pediatrician. I got through a few random courses at a small community college and then finished my Associates degree at another community college in Franklin. I came to Lipscomb still intending to pursue my pre-medical coursework. Then my world fell apart. At 23, my parents decided to divorce after 32 years of marriage. My father told me about it as we were sitting in the hospital while my mother was having surgery to remove a tumor the doctors thought was cancerous. It wasn’t, thank God. You would think, being an adult, the divorce wouldn’t hit me as hard as it would a child, but not only did it hit me – it knocked me over, beat me up and threw me back down. I had no idea how it would change me forever. The divorce consumed me. The whole process ended up being pretty nasty. I was pushed and pulled on both sides, as my parents started to treat me more like an equal than a daughter. I wasn’t shielded from any information or opinions. I ended up mediating their divorce and settlements just to get...
