Counseling and Well-Being Center
Health Services
The Counseling and Well-Being Center at Keystone College provides compassionate, quality counseling and well-being services to our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of wellness, and facilitate healthy lifestyle choices for students, staff and faculty. We educate our students to be conscientious about their health and promote self-care and independence.
Well-Being Center
1st Floor, Tewksbury Hall
570-945-8255
wellbeing@sd-jinri.com
Counseling Services
As you work hard to succeed and reach your educational goals, Keystone College Counseling Services is available to help you manage stress and anxiety and prepare to deal with whatever comes your way. We offer a confidential and safe place to openly discuss any issues and concerns that you may be facing as you adjust to college life and begin to make your way in the world.
Speaking with one of our professional counselors about stressors and difficult issues that you face each day can be very beneficial. They can help you overcome obstacles and assist you in reaching your goals by providing confidential, personal and social support in individual or group sessions. Counseling can provide you with new skills and alternative ways of looking at a situation in order to become more capable of solving problems on your own.
Counseling services at Keystone College are free and confidential for any student.
Keystone College provides quality health care to all students without regard to race, gender, ethnic heritage, or sexual orientation.
Counseling Visits
You may choose to initiate counseling services at any time. With the exception of crisis situations, an intake appointment needs to be set up by contacting the Counseling Center. Type and duration of services are discussed with the student during intake and then evaluated on an ongoing basis. Most students find four to five sessions are enough to resolve their presenting distress.
Counseling Services are provided at no cost to our students and will not become part of your academic record. Your family and friends don’t need to know if you don’t want to tell them. We only share your records in emergency situations or in cases where you have given us written permission.
Educational Programming
The Counseling & Well-Being Center also provides wide variety of psychoeducational programming throughout each semester and assists in developing a safe, interdependent community through self-awareness, cultural understanding and service to our students.
Counseling Center
Individual Appointments
1st Floor, Tewksbury Hall
570-945-8309
counseling@sd-jinri.com
Monday 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 am – 4:30 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are accepted; however, immediate service may vary dependent on counselor availability. Appointments are recommended for all counseling sessions to be sure a counselor is available.
Group Sessions
Group counseling services are offered though times and topics vary. Information on planned group sessions is provided to students at the beginning of each semester. Watch KC Morning E-Notes for details.
Reasons to consider counseling:
- You are having difficulty handling your academic responsibilities
- You are having difficulty relating to friends, family, and classmates
- You are experiencing negative consequences from alcohol or drug use
- You are dealing with sexual assault
- You are concerned about eating disorders
- Your friends and family have commented that you do not seem like yourself
Wellness Resources
The Science of Well-Being – Yale Happiness Course
Mental Health and Coronavirus Information:
- SAMHSA’s Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health
- Coronavirus Anxiety: Coping with Stress and Fear
- Seven tips to manage your mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak
For those with Kids:
Fun Things to Do:
Help Lines
- PA Crisis Support Helpline: 1-855-284-2494
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673
- Scranton Counseling Center Crisis Services (24/7) (570) 348-6100
- Trevor Helpline (LGBTQI issues) 1-866-488-7386: TheTrevorProject.org
- WARM LINE (Peer Support and Advocacy) 1-866-654-8114
- Help Line NEPA (information and referral service) 1-888-829-1341
- http://helpline-nepa.info/
Mental Health/Advocacy Resources:
- Aaron Center (570) 489-5561
- Advocacy Alliance 1-877-315-6855
- Community Counseling Services of NEPA (Luzerne County area) (570) 552-6118
- Northeast Counseling Services (Luzerne County area) (570) 735-7590
- Scranton Counseling Center Crisis Services (24/7) (570) 348-6100
- Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services (DATS) (570) 961-1997
- SHINE – Listing of all regional social services (AA Meetings, etc.) (570) 961-1234
- Catholic Social Services (570) 207-2283
- National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI) Scranton Area Chapter (570) 342-1047
Resources:
Mental Health/Advocacy Resources
- Aaron Center (570) 489-5561
- Advocacy Alliance 1-877-315-6855
- Community Counseling Services of NEPA (Luzerne County area) (570) 552-6118
- Northeast Counseling Services (Luzerne County area) (570) 735-7590
- Scranton Counseling Center Crisis Services (24/7) (570) 348-6100
- Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services (DATS) (570) 961-1997
- SHINE – Listing of all regional social services (AA Meetings, etc.) (570) 961-1234
- Catholic Social Services (570) 207-2283
- National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI) Scranton Area Chapter (570) 342-1047
Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism
Signs of Alcoholism
- Craving – A strong need or compulsion to drink.
- Loss of Control – Inability to stop drinking after having several drinks.
- Physical Dependence – The appearance of withdrawals symptoms if no alcohol is taken; sweating, shakiness, and nervousness, which can be relieved if alcohol is ingested.
- Tolerance – The need to take greater amounts of alcohol to obtain the same feeling.
Signs of Alcohol Abuse
- The failure to fulfill major work, school or home responsibilities due to alcohol use
- Drinking in situations that are especially physically dangerous, such as while driving a car
- Recurring alcohol related legal problems such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or for physically hurting someone while drunk
- Continued drinking despite having ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by the effects of alcohol
The “CAGE” survey to Screen for Alcohol Abuse or Alcoholism
C – Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking?
A – Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
G – Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
E – Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye opener)?
One “yes” response suggests a possible alcohol problem. If you responded “yes” to more than one question, it is highly likely that a problem exists. In either case, it is important that you see your doctor or other health care provider right away to discuss your responses to these questions. He or she can help you determine whether you have a drinking problem and, if so, recommend the best course of action for you.
Even if you answered “no” to all of the above questions, if you are encountering drinking-related problems with your job, relationships, health, or with the law, you should still seek professional help. The effects of alcohol abuse can be extremely serious–even fatal–both to you and to others.
Published by: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Institutes of Health
How to help a friend that has a drug or alcohol problem:
- Let your friend know that risky drinking including binge drinking can lead to more severe alcohol problems including alcohol dependence, alcoholism, as well as injuries and unwanted/unprotected sex.
- Seek out resources. Talk to a clinician, health care professional, counselor or residence life staff. Ask the professional what resources are available for your friend and how to motivate him or her to use them.
- Use resources. Do what you can to encourage your friend to use the resources you identify but remember the only person you can change is yourself. If you think you need help due to a friend’s drinking don’t hesitate to seek it.
- Don’t make excuses for your friend’s behavior. Many people try to protect a friend from the consequences of his or her drug or alcohol use by making excuses to others. Making excuses allows your friend to avoid changing for the better.
- Choose a good time to talk to your friend, such as soon after an alcohol problem has occurred., choose a time when he or she is sober, when both of you are calm and you can speak privately.
- Be specific. Tell the friend you are concerned about his or her drinking and you want to be supportive in getting help. Show examples of the ways how he or she has affected you or others, such as missing work, spending money, specific injuries or fights.
Keep in mind you are not alone. There are many ways to get help.
Get Help
To get confidential help for alcohol and drug problems contact:
- The Student Counseling and Well-Being Center at 570-945-8400
- Keystone College Human Resources at 945-8373 (If you are a college employee)
Signs and Symptoms of Decreased Mental Health
Depression or suicidal thoughts
Indicators of hopelessness-statements like:
- ” There is no future”
- “There is no way out of this situation”
- “Things will never get better”
References to suicidal thoughts in writing or in conversation:
- “Sometimes I wish I were dead”
- ”I wish I had never been born”
- “Nobody would miss me if I were gone”
Changes in Energy:
- Lack of energy
- Listlessness
- Sleepiness
- Sleeping through class
References to self-destructive behavior:
- Drinking heavily
- Self mutilation (cuts on wrists, etc.)
- Drug use
- Multiple injuries
Emotional Changes:
- Isolation
- Grief- a recent loss/death in the family
- Anxiety-nervousness, tenseness, sleeplessness
- Extreme mood swings: anger, irritability, outbursts, crying
Poor Concentration:
- Confusion and disjointed thought in conversation
- Inability to make decisions
Abnormal Appearance/Behavior:
- Noticeable weight gain or loss
- Poor hygiene-same clothes every day
- Erratic behavior changes; turning in poor homework, when usually a good student
- Inappropriate behavior for any situation
- Excessive absenteeism
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against students & employees of educational institutions.
Suspected Child Abuse Policies and Procedures
Keystone College strives to protect the well-being of minors visiting campus and/or participating in College-sponsored off-campus programs and is committed to complying with the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law. If a person witnesses child abuse or has cause to reasonably suspect that child abuse has occurred, they should utilize the steps in the Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Procedures below, to file a report.
Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Procedures for Visitors
To Report Suspected Child Abuse
Keystone College (the “College”) strives to protect the well-being of minors visiting campus and/or participating in College-sponsored off-campus programs. Further, the College is committed to complying with the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law.
To make an initial report, please utilize the steps below, as appropriate:
Imminent Danger Report: If it is suspected that a child is in imminent danger, please immediately call 911 and report the incident. Subsequent to calling 911, please contact the Campus Safety Director listed below.
Non-Imminent Danger Report: If a person witnesses child abuse or has cause to reasonably suspect that child abuse has occurred, please contact the Campus Safety Director listed below:
Keystone College Campus Contacts for Reporting Child Abuse:
- Campus Safety – contact Michael Golay, Director of Campus Safety, 570-945-8266, or michael.golay@sd-jinri.com.