[Rio_]

...I'm already nervous as hell about this, and I haven't actually got an appointment yet, but will have to see how it goes...

[peaches100]

Rio,

It's great that you took the first step in contacting student counseling! That took alot of courage!

[deliquesce]

good luck, rio!!!

contacting student counselling was the first step i took too on my trip to mental wellness, so i hope you can look at this as something special and full of promise for you .

[fallenangel337]

This is great to hear! This really is the first step, and a big step at that! Take care of you!

[oracat]

Yeah it was hard for me to contact student counseling as well, and I really felt great after I made that first appointment. It does take a lot of courage so good for you!

[jacq10]

(((((((((((Rio)))))))))))))

Good for you for contacting counselling services! For me, that was the toughest part... so congratulations!

[chaotic13]

The first leap in getting help is always a big one.

[Rio_]

Thanks, everyone. There's a two-week wait for an appointment, but I guess it could be worse. I'm kinda worried about my friends, flatmate or family finding out - I know my parents wouldn't be too happy about it, and I've no idea how my friends or flatmate would take it - but hopefully that won't happen...

[chaotic13]

There is no need your roomate or friends to know that you are going to counseling. If you are 18, then your parents don't need to know either.

Personally, my mental health and therapy is strictly my business. Especially if there isn't some child care issue to deal with while your at your session. When single and childless...no one really needs to know where you go.

Too many people giving you advice and telling you what you should and shouldn't do or say especially in therapy detracts from your ability to listen to your own inner voice, which I think is really important. MHO of course.

To avoid any inadvertant info exchange you can also tell the counseling office not to leave messages on your home phone and not to disclose information without getting written approval from you first. In my paperwork I didn't even provide an alternate phone number or emergency contact...of course I am a bit hyper (paranoid) about people knowing my crap.

[Rio_]

Originally Posted by chaotic13

There is no need your roomate or friends to know that you are going to counseling. If you are 18, then your parents don't need to know either.

Personally, my mental health and therapy is strictly my business. Especially if there isn't some child care issue to deal with while your at your session. When single and childless...no one really needs to know where you go.

Too many people giving you advice and telling you what you should and shouldn't do or say especially in therapy detracts from your ability to listen to your own inner voice, which I think is really important. MHO of course.

To avoid any inadvertant info exchange you can also tell the counseling office not to leave messages on your home phone and not to disclose information without getting written approval from you first. In my paperwork I didn't even provide an alternate phone number or emergency contact...of course I am a bit hyper (paranoid) about people knowing my crap.

Thanks, Chaotic. I'm 19, so my parents don't need to know - it's just a question of whether I'll be able to keep it from them. But since it's going to be at uni rather than at home, hopefully it'll be ok. That's a good idea about asking them not to contact me by phone - they did ask me for my phone number and I gave them my mobile, but said I'd rather be contacted by email. Their reply, though, was that they'd either get in touch by phone call, text or email...not so happy about that. I'm hoping that they will email! But at least it's my mobile they'd call/text, rather than the phone at home or at the flat.