In today鈥檚 world, mental health on college campuses is more important than ever. We sat down with Leeanne Hadsel, who shared their inspiring journey, the evolving role of counseling in higher education, and what it really means to support students in and out of the office. From therapy dogs to burnout recovery, here鈥檚 an inside look at what it takes to build a culture of wellness on campus.
Can you tell us about your journey and what inspired you to pursue a career in mental health counseling?
Like many in this field, my journey wasn鈥檛 exactly a straight line鈥攊t was more like one of those scenic route road trips where you take a few unexpected detours but end up exactly where you鈥檙e meant to be.
I started out as a behavior analyst in a public elementary school, working closely with students who needed extra support with emotional and behavioral regulation. That experience opened my eyes to how early mental health struggles can begin and how powerful the right interventions can be.
Later, I transitioned into a role in local law enforcement, supporting a jail diversion program aimed at improving mental health access and helping train officers to respond compassionately to individuals in crisis. That鈥檚 when I really began to see the deep ties between trauma, mental health, and addiction鈥攏ot just in the people being arrested, but in the officers and first responders too.
Those experiences led me to pursue a doctorate focusing on the intersections of trauma, learning, and well-being. Eventually, I found my way to higher education, where I realized how rewarding it is to work with students figuring out who they are and how to thrive. Every day is different, and every conversation is a chance to help someone move forward. That鈥檚 what keeps me going.
What does a typical day look like for you in your role as the Senior Mental Health Counselor?
The only thing predictable about my day is how unpredictable it is! I could be in back-to-back one-on-one counseling sessions, then shift into running a wellness program, hosting a book club, or responding to a student crisis. Somewhere in between, I鈥檓 usually reheating my coffee for the third time before noon.
It鈥檚 a mix of direct support, programming, and making sure resources鈥攆rom harm reduction tools to drop-in workshops鈥攁re available and accessible. No two days are the same, and that鈥檚 part of what makes the job so dynamic.
What are some common mental health challenges students face, and how do you help them navigate those struggles?
The big three are stress, anxiety, and depression. But we also see a lot of burnout, loneliness, academic pressure, and uncertainty about the future.
I help students break things down into manageable steps. We focus on strategies that fit their lifestyle鈥攏ot just 鈥渢ry meditation鈥� or 鈥渄rink green tea,鈥� but actual, personalized coping tools. And more than anything, I remind them they鈥檙e not alone. That piece鈥攆eeling understood and supported鈥攊s often the most powerful part of the process.
How does the college’s counseling approach differ from traditional therapy?
Our office at 亚色影库 is solution-focused and short-term, which means we help students work through immediate needs with practical strategies they can apply now. But we also bridge the gap to longer-term or specialized services if needed.
We know not every student wants traditional one-on-one therapy, so we offer alternatives鈥攍ike peer support, therapy dog events, wellness workshops, even book clubs. We try to embed mental health into everyday life, making it approachable and normalized. You might find us in classrooms, tabling in the student center, or simply being present at campus events.
What are some of the most effective coping tools you recommend to students?
It depends on the person, but grounding exercises, movement (walks, stretching, dance breaks鈥攚hatever feels good), and realistic expectations are key. Hydration is surprisingly underrated鈥攕ometimes students feel off because they鈥檙e running on caffeine and haven鈥檛 had water in two days!
Sleep is another big one鈥攊t鈥檚 probably the most powerful academic enhancer no one talks about. But above all, connection is huge. Feeling part of a community can help students manage stress and feel less alone in their struggles.
How do you create a safe, non-judgmental space for students to open up?
By being real. Students can tell when someone鈥檚 just going through the motions. I use humor when appropriate, meet them where they are, and make sure they know there鈥檚 no 鈥渨rong鈥� way to talk about what they鈥檙e feeling.
Our space is designed to be welcoming鈥攃omfy seating, stress balls, fidget toys, and yes, snacks. I remind students that therapy isn鈥檛 about being 鈥渇ixed鈥濃�攊t鈥檚 about figuring things out together.
How has the conversation around mental health on campus evolved?
It鈥檚 changed a lot. When I started, people were hesitant to even talk about mental health. Now, students are speaking up, advocating for themselves, and expecting colleges to take their well-being seriously.
There鈥檚 still stigma, of course, but we鈥檙e moving toward a culture that sees mental health as essential鈥攏ot optional. It鈥檚 no longer just about crisis intervention; it鈥檚 about prevention, education, and building community-based support systems.
How can students know when it鈥檚 time to seek counseling?
If you鈥檙e wondering whether to talk to someone, that鈥檚 probably a good sign to check in. Counseling isn鈥檛 just for when things are falling apart鈥攊t鈥檚 for burnout, stress, or even self-reflection when things feel 鈥渙kay鈥� but off.
Students can visit Student Services to make an appointment or use online options like BetterMynd to get started.
What support is available for students who can鈥檛 access counseling right away?
We offer drop-in workshops, peer support, a book club, and other informal ways to connect. We also address a wide range of issues鈥攇rief, disordered eating, trauma, addiction, executive functioning, identity stress, and more.
And sometimes wellness isn鈥檛 about therapy鈥攊t鈥檚 about petting a therapy dog, going to a support group, or simply knowing you鈥檙e not alone.
What鈥檚 the biggest misconception about mental health counseling in a college setting?
That it鈥檚 only for people in crisis. In reality, counseling is just as much about prevention, resilience, and building skills to navigate life.
Think of it like training for a marathon鈥攜ou don鈥檛 wait for race day to start. You prepare. Same goes for mental health. Early support helps students feel stronger and more capable in the long run.
How do you collaborate with others on campus to promote student well-being?
Collaboration is everything. We partner with faculty on classroom strategies, work with student life on events, and coordinate with other departments to embed mental health into all areas of student life. It鈥檚 not just our office鈥檚 responsibility鈥攊t鈥檚 a community-wide effort.
What advice would you give to students who feel hesitant to seek help?
Just try one thing. One conversation, one event. No pressure, no long-term commitment. Show up, see how it feels, and go from there.
What does self-care look like for you personally?
Self-care isn鈥檛 just bubble baths鈥攊t鈥檚 what helps me feel grounded and recharged. For me, that鈥檚 live music (30+ concerts a year!), reading, time with people who make me laugh, and boundaries. Sometimes it鈥檚 just sitting quietly with a Stanley full of water before the next meeting.
Where do you see the future of mental health services in higher ed going?
Toward integration. Mental health won鈥檛 be something you 鈥済o to鈥濃�攊t鈥檒l be part of everything from orientation to graduation. Support will be built into the student experience.
Digital tools are growing too鈥攐nline therapy, wellness apps, virtual groups鈥攁ll ways to make help more accessible. My goal is to keep pushing for innovation, inclusivity, and student-centered care. As a former student here, this work is personal. I want every student to know they belong and have what they need to thrive.
Last one鈥攈ow do students respond to the therapy dogs?
They love them. Boone and Lola are basically the most popular therapists on campus鈥攏o paperwork, no waitlist, just tail wags and support. I鈥檝e had students say, 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I needed this, but wow.鈥� It鈥檚 amazing what a few minutes with a dog can do.
Want to learn more about campus mental health resources? Visit the Office of Counseling and Wellness or check out their events calendar. Whether you need a moment to breathe, someone to talk to, or just a therapy dog cuddle, support is closer than you think.