Students unwind in new space

Photo by Ian Saint:
The relaxation room offers a serene environment for when the world around you is too much.

Counseling Services opened up the Ram Relaxation room this semester to students for their comfort.

The new space is located at Counseling services in the clinic.

“It’s great to see people walk out feeling much better than they did before and start to develop their identity,” Mark D. Rehm, director of Counseling Services, said. “Counseling Services is a safe space for any background such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, and we are a judgment-free space.”

The Ram Relaxation Room is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Relaxation Room features aromatherapy, coloring books and time to meditate, sleep or study. 

One of the counselors will be relocating soon, and she discussed how much working with Counseling Services means to her.  

“I take it seriously whenever someone shares their story with me, since it takes courage and trust,” Kristie D. Walton, counselor, said. “Everything is confidential, and it is a privilege to have someone tell me their stories and allow me to help them.”

Walton said she tries to present herself as an equal and offers authenticity by building a genuine relationship with the students who see her. She also took the time to ease the transition for the students who will transfer to another counselor because of the connections they have built. 

Students can wait in the Ram Relaxation Room before an appointment or can just go during free time.  

Rehm came up with the idea for the Ram Relaxation Room, since other universities have spaces for students to chill out or study. 

Some of the Counseling Services employees said they want to hear feedback from students about the resources available and will listen to recommendations as well.  

Counseling Services will be offering an eight-week workshop series starting Sept.19. Topics will include happiness, importance of sleep, healthy cooking and many more. There will be a grand prize raffle for attending the workshop. 

There will be an event on Sept. 26 where 1,100 blue and gold flags placed out front of the University Center to memorialize the students who committed suicide while attending universities. White flags will be handed out for people who wish to memorialize someone they lost to suicide. The student organization Active Minds will also sponsor the event. 

Rehm will be conducting the Suicide Prevention Training for faculty, staff and students which will discuss how to recognize the signs and how to help someone who is thinking of committing suicide. 

Rehm was previously the associate director of counseling for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 

Students are allowed to request a specific gender when signing up for counseling services. 

Email counselingservices@angelo.edu or call 352-942-2371 to make an appointment.  The ASU Crisis Helpline is 325-486-6345.