One lasting effect of pandemic is the increased need, use, availability, and acceptance of therapy, especially as it pertains to the Ouray School student body.
Librarian Ms. Cappi Castro believes that “therapy is excellent.” After hearing from our school counseling department about resources available through Tri-County Health, she took advantage of therapeutic support during the pandemic. The issues she went for were “nothing huge,” she said, “but it was so much easier and felt so good to have somebody there to support me.”
Therapy has many benefits that can help anyone. One high school student attested that therapists can help you “come up with solutions, learn about resources in your area, and gain access to new resources.”
Our counselors caution us that therapy is not a magic solution for anything. In order for therapy to work, college and career counselor Mr. Ted Fellin believes one must be “invested in looking at themselves honestly.” This can be easier with professional help, he said, but it is necessary to find the right therapist in order for it to work. He said, “if it is not a good relationship, it can be disastrous.”
The solution, Ms. Cappi said, is simple: “If somebody doesn’t work for you, for whatever reasons, try somebody else.”
Some people I interviewed pointed to the misconception that only those who are “mentally ill” or “crazy” or “weak” need therapy. Mr. Fellin insisted that “therapy is not about weakness. It's a conduit through which you can understand yourself better and be happier.”
A student reported in a survey that it is actually “a sign of strength” to go to therapy. Going to therapy does not mean that “something is wrong with you,” another student attested. “Everyone has emotions,” and seeking professional help to manage those emotions just means you are trying to live better.
When considering going to therapy, one student felt that others may judge her for going to therapy, but she believes “it's cool being able to reach out for help.”
Affective counselor Mr. Jaceson Cole said that there are many therapeutic resources available to students. “Through the I Matter Program, Colorado's state government is spending $15 million, through at least June 30, 2023, to fund six free therapy sessions for every Colorado youth because you are worth it,” he said. “You all matter.
“If you are age 12 or older, the process towards therapy begins with a short confidential survey on imattercolorado.org,” he continued. “For youth ages 11 and under, your parent/guardian will need to take the survey with their child.”
Mr. Jaceson closed with the hope that students would take advantage of these resources. “Seeking help is not a sign of failure,” he said, “it's a source of strength. If you need any help with getting therapy, through I Matter or otherwise, your school counselors are here for you!”