MAGGIE CAMERON
SENIOR REPORTER

When it’s over, we let out a great big sigh; a thick, drawled out sigh, full of pleasure and relief.
“That was amazing.  Was it good for you?” I often ask.
“So good,” is usually the response.
Some describe it as being as invigorating as a work-out at the gym.  Some say it’s like a two week detox.  Others say when they finish they feel twenty pounds lighter.  We all agree it’s invaluable.  Necessary, almost, once you’ve had a taste.
We’re talking about our hour-long session with our therapist from Humber’s counselling department.
Just last week I took the long walk from the news room in the L wing to B building with a peer.  She listened to me blab about how good my session made me feel so she thought she’d give it a try.  She wasn’t disappointed.  She booked another appointment and I’ve been to my second one since.
What does disappoint though, is how few people take advantage of what a therapist can provide.  Tucked at the back of the new B building is a group of talented, qualified therapists there to help students sort through their issues, no matter how heavy or multi-layered they may be.  Sure, the waiver to fill out before you begin is daunting; do you want to talk about your issues with sadness, anger, sexuality, family, pressure, school, relationships, grief?  The list goes on.  There wasn’t a box I didn’t want to tick off when I was faced with the never ending list.  To avoid a look of grave concern from the sweet lady at the front desk, I only checked a few.  But I did manage to get the pen to paper, and sadly, that’s a lot more than too many of my peers can say.
There’s a reason tuition costs include counselling services.  School is stressful, really stressful.  And outside of school, there’s that whole living thing we’re supposed to do.  Friends, family, lovers and work all ask something of us.  This potent mix of school and living can pour a mean glass of problems.  And an effective way to deal with it is to talk to someone in a nonjudgmental, completely confidential environment.
People have a fear of therapy.  They have preconceived notions, or worry that issues are too trivial or too enormous or too unusual to talk about.  But they shouldn’t.  If there’s something you’re dealing with, whatever it is, it’s likely you’ll feel tremendous relief if you talk it over, and consider the advice of a counsellor.
Speaking to a counsellor is beneficial when you find yourself feeling especially low.  According to a profile of clinical depression in Canada, a study compiled by Research Data Centres (RDC) and published by Statistics Canada, over a million Canadians experience a major depressive episode annually, making depression as common as other leading chronic conditions such as heart disease.  Research consistently finds that those at highest risk are women and young adults, singles or once married individuals and low income earners.  Me, in other words.  But it’s all good, thanks to Humber counselling. With the help of my counsellor, I’m able to talk about what’s troubling me, before things ever get beyond my control.  You can too.  I’ll walk you down if you like.