By Jeremy Binning
Mental health has been a major concern with people in isolation and stuck in quarantine trying to combat the coronavirus.
The SUNY Plattsburgh health center holds counselling sessions on Zoom every Monday and Friday at 3 p.m. The goal of this is to be a support group for those currently living in quarantine and isolation and students cope with being alone.
Allsun Ozyesil is one of the counselors who runs the meetings. The zoom sessions typically last about an hour because the counselors in charge have one-on-one appointments with students after. A typical session could have between one student joining, to several students. The idea is to have students support one another as they struggle getting through the semester with the pandemic.
Monday sessions are usually focused on the students well being heading into the week, Ozyesil said.
“It’s good the students come together and are there for each other because who better to talk to about your problems with than someone your own age,”Ozyesil said.
Fridays are more of a wrap up for the week where students talk about their struggles and challenges and listen to others with similar problems.
The support group isn’t just for quarantine however, another reason for the group is to help people adjust to life after quarantine. Being in isolation for a long period of time can cause a toll on anyone. Some people may be nervous or uncomfortable with going back to how life was and the support group is there to help those integrate back into their daily lives.
The zoom sessions usually are led by one of the four counselors. It alternates each week. As the program is set until the end of the semester. Each counselor conducts their session in their own unique way. For example, Ozyesil says that she usually does a check-in with students to see where everyone’s at and has students share stories and converse to ease things.
Email Jeremy Binning at cp@cardinalpointonline.com
