Joshua Magruder
OXFORD, Miss. – The Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays are often thought of as a joyous time, but the staff at the University of Mississippi Counseling Center know that the end of the year also brings more visits from people in need of their services.
The end of the semester, including exam time, accounts for added stress and anxiety among students. Calls from people who are grieving over the deaths of loved ones or having relationship struggles also are regular occurrences. But help is always available from the UM Counseling Center for students and employees, counselor Josh Magruder said.
“We’re readily available during the holidays,” Magruder said. “You can reach us 24/7, 365 days a year. We do our best to accommodate you. We have a great system in place to get people in and out, and we have openings all semester.”
Employees can use the Counseling Center without cost up to six times per year, with each additional visit costing only $20. Services are free to UM students. Visits and the issues discussed are confidential, and visits with counselors don’t wind up on student or personnel files.
“This time of year, it’s mostly (those with) anxiety about tests, finishing projects and also grades if the student didn’t do so well at beginning of the semester,” Magruder said. “Occasionally, we get some who are grieving after having lost a loved one around the holidays, and it’s a tough time of year.”
Counselors can work with those needing help on a variety of issues including relationship issues, stress, depression anxiety, loneliness, sexuality, eating issues, perfectionism, school concerns, discrimination and transition difficulties.
The Counseling Center also offers support groups for those with homesickness, drug or alcohol abuse problems and eating disorders, and those seeking different forms of meditation. There’s also a “Calm in Chaos” course designed to help with stress and a Counseling After Dark program, which sends counselors to residence halls to meet with students, among other services.
Several warning signs can signal that someone may need help. A change in daily habits and/or sleep patterns, whether it’s sleeping too much or too little, as well as relationship issues or breakups could be symptoms of a serious issue. Drug or alcohol abuse interfering with work, school or life, or friends suggesting a person seek counseling, may be signs that someone should visit the Counseling Center.
To make an appointment, call 662-915-3784 or stop by the Counseling Center at the corner of Poole and All-American Drive, next to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house. Crisis intervention services are available on a 24-hour basis without an appointment.