Nicholls to sponsor Mental Health Awareness Day

Nicholls’ Department of Psychology, Counseling and Family Studies is set to sponsor the Bayou Parishes Mental Health Awareness Day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 3 in the Student Union Cotillion Ballroom.

This is the third annual event hosted by Chi Sigma Iota, Nicholls’ honor society for counselors.

“There is nothing else offered like our conference for counselors in this area,” said Chi Sigma Iota President Victoria Rodriquez.

People can travel and pay up to $100 for conferences that offer the same continuing education units and professionals.

“It is a good value for what you get,” said Rodriquez.

At the event, there will be six continuing education units including licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, social workers and psychologists.

The event is open to any mental health professional, and attendance can count towards the hours needed by counselors.

Although student involvement in the event will only include those in school counseling and the mental health clinical program, students have their own opinions on mental health.

“Mental health is important because everyone deserves to be treated the same and have the same chances,” said freshman psychology student Brittany Bunn.

“It is crucial to spread knowledge about the importance of mental health awareness within our community. If we do not educate one another, we have failed,” said senior voice performance major Grace Hebert.

Overall, this event is meant to help educate, share ideas and foster awareness of mental health.

“Mental health is important because it is very appropriate for our times and in the future we will need more mental health professionals in multiple places besides just government agencies, schools and in private practice,” Rodriquez said.