On Oct. 23, VTSU Castleton Student Government Association Secretary of Wellness Kayla Livingston partnered with The Castleton Wellness Center to create a wellness panel with the goal to encourage an open dialogue between counselors and student attendees.  

Taking place in the 1787 Room, the hour-long event featured three counselors from the campus Wellness Center and SGA members, all dedicated to destigmatize mental health. 

Livingston emphasized that the event aimed to make counseling resources more accessible and approachable.  

“A lot of students don’t know about or are afraid of wellness resources,” she said. “Counseling can feel intimidating, but I want students to feel more comfortable seeking help. This event was about opening a dialogue that promotes mental wellness as a common, approachable part of student life,” Livingston adds. 

Student Meghan Mureddu was one of the first people to arrive at the event.  

“I just wanted to support my counselor, who I love and adore,” Mureddu said.  

With a team of five counselors, the Wellness Center offers a range of support options designed to fit student needs. 

The center’s lead counselor, Jackie Eddy, along with staff members like Darby McLaughlin and Duncan Snitkin, emphasized that the Wellness Center aims to be a flexible and judgment-free zone. Walk-in hours are available from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday, with rotating counselors to accommodate students who may not be able to book a regular session.  

“It’s not about lying on a couch and spilling your deepest fears,” McLaughlin explained to the audience. “Therapy is really just a conversation. You’re in the driver’s seat, and we’re here to help offer a different perspective, but ultimately, it’s all about what you bring to the table.” 

For students hesitant to seek counseling, McLaughlin suggested taking a low-commitment approach by just “coming in to try it out.”  

“There’s no pressure to commit,” she reassured, and students can stay for as little as half an hour and decide later if counseling is right for them. 

The panel also addressed the role students can play in supporting friends who may be struggling. McLaughlin encouraged students to be empathetic listeners.  

“In general, you want to be empathetic, non-judgmental, and just there for them,” she said.  

Snitkin expanded on this, noting that while friends can be supportive, it’s important to know personal limits.  

“If a friend’s situation feels like too much for you to handle alone, recognize that some burdens aren’t yours to carry. You can walk them to their first appointment or even just sit with them during it, but don’t be afraid to acknowledge when professional help is needed,” he said. 

Throughout the session, the counselors stressed that their roles are student-centered.  

“Our boss is you and we’re here to protect you,” Snitkin said, stating the commitment to student privacy and HIPAA compliance.  

Allie Sweeney, another counselor on the panel enthusiastically said she loves working with college students.   

“This age group is quite fascinating just because you are all so curious…you’re starting a whole new journey. This is just one four-year aspect of your life and you have a whole life beyond ahead of you,” she said. 

After reflecting on how the event went, Livingston encouraged students to reach out to SGA if they have wellness needs that aren’t being met on campus.  

“If there’s anything you want that the school isn’t providing, come to SGA. I’m the person you can go to,” she said. 

Livingston hopes that this panel is only the beginning of a campus-wide push toward normalizing conversations around mental health and well-being. 

“Stepping foot into counseling can feel scary,” Livingston admitted. “But the more we talk about it and make it a part of our campus culture, the more students will feel comfortable seeking the help they need.”