The Lion's Roar 02/26/2019

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HAMMOND, LA

FEBRUARY 26, 2019

S O U T H E A S T E R N L O U I S IA NA U N I V E R S I T Y

CECI MERCIER

MAKEUP AS A PROFESSION

ROBERT KYLE KELLER

see pg. 6

see pg. 5

see pg. 9

Mental health affects college campuses ERICA WELTER STAFF REPORTER

Amidst the strain of exams and homework, many college students must also navigate anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, while college students and their nonstudent peers share similar rates of mental illness, the added stressors of college life can trigger problems or exacerbate existing ones. A SAMHSA publication titled “Behavioral Health Among College Students Information & Resource Kit” acknowledged that increasingly more students already have a mental illness when they enroll in college. An estimated nine percent of all full-time college students aged 18-22 had serious thoughts of suicide in 2017, according to the National Alliance on Metal Illness. NAMI also named anxiety disorders as the most common mental health concern in the United States. Anxiety and depression are likely the most widely known mental illnesses. Each has subcategories of their own, but they are all part of an entire group

of conditions. Eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizoaffective disorder also fall into the category of mental illness. Annette Newton-Baldwin, counselor at the University Counseling Center, said it is possible for a person to experience more than one mental illness at a time. “People can be dually diagnosed,” said NewtonBaldwin. “I can have anxiety and depression. I can have anxiety as part of my diagnosis of posttraumatic stress syndrome.” Newton-Baldwin explained that conditions such as anxiety and depression may have multiple causes. “There’s a big genetic argument, but there’s also intergenerational,” shared Newton-Baldwin. “It’s passed on through generations, through how we communicate, through how we shape our identities. If my great grandfather had trauma because he went to war, and he never really addressed that, and then he had kids, who had kids, then that anxiety and trauma is just carried on through the generations.” Public opinion can create further challenges when

80 percent of students feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities as a student 50 percent have struggled with anxiety 30 percent reported having problems in school due to mental health issues 50 percent of students rated their mental health as below average or poor 40 percent of students fail to seek help 80 percent of students reported feeling stress on a daily basis 44 percent of American college students report having symptoms of depression 75 percent of students who suffer from depression do not seek help 13 percent have felt depressed in the last three months 13 percent were diagnosed with a condition linked to anxiety

9 percent of college students have contemplated suicide in the past year Information in this graphic was gathered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It illustrates some of the mental health issues facing college students today including depression and anxiety . FILE PHOTO/THE LION’S ROAR identifying, diagnosing and embraces this idea of ‘rugged things without help,” stated believe that seeking counseling treating mental illness. individualism’ where we are Dr. June Williams, associate see MENTAL HEALTH, pg. 3 “Our society still very much supposed to be able to handle professor of counseling. “Many

How financial aid impacts students from rural areas JACOB SUMMERVILLE STAFF REPORTER

Richard Davis Jr., president of the Student Government Association, rides in the Homecoming Parade. Beyond pushing for initiatives and programs, Davis makes a visible presence on campus as student body representative. Through his experience in the position, he is now considering a career in higher education student affairs. FILE PHOTO/THE LION’S ROAR

Davis committed to leadership and community ZACHARY ARAKI ASSISTANT EDITOR

Originally, Student Government Association President Richard Davis Jr. did not wish to become involved on campus. “My older sister, who was an orientation leader, encouraged me to sign up for SGA’s Leadership Development program, Leadership Council at the time,” shared Davis. “When I joined, I immediately fell in love with student government and the amazing impact that I was able to have on other students. As I progressed in my leadership journey, the role of student body president really became something that I grew an affection for.” Davis was born in New Orleans and grew up in Slidell. He decided to attend the alma mater of his three older sisters to continue the family legacy..

Davis shared how he uses leadership to motivate people and accomplish goals. “I implement this by having integrity in everything that I do,” said Davis. “To me, that is the fundamental value of leadership.” Though Davis encountered numerous roadblocks along the way to attaining his goals, he cited a fear of public speaking as the biggest one. “I used to always freeze up and get very nervous when it came to speaking to a large crowd,” stated Davis. “However, since I have become president, I find it much easier to speak to large groups of people and share my story.” Cedric Dent, Jr., SGA chief of staff, met Davis when they worked as orientation leaders. He believes Davis’ leadership capabilities show in his actions.

Weather

Tuesday H 66 L 58

see DAVIS, pg. 4

Students applying to the university who are from rural or homeschooled environments may face challenges not typical of a suburban or urban student. Problems such as financial aid, distance from the university and being a first-generation student can be challenging, specifically for students without the proper resources. “Students from rural areas sometimes struggle with access to high-speed internet as well as visiting college campuses due to distance,” commented Terry Garner, assistant director of scholarships and work study in the Office of Financial Aid. “That can add up to more difficulty accessing the FAFSA, a financial aid office or reaching out to a university official with a question. Smaller schools may not have as many counselors to assist students with applying to college or financial aid or offer as many courses to best prepare a student for college.” Erin Davies, a junior nursing major, was homeschooled before attending the university. She shared her experience when dealing with financial aid. Davies stated, “Applying for Southeastern wasn’t really that hard, but I did have a lot of trouble with financial aid, mostly because my parents just

Index

Wednesday H 73 L 56

Campus Life ................................2 Opinions ....................................3 A&E ...........................................4

Horoscope, Crossword, Sudoku ...5 Sports & Fitness ..........................6 News .........................................8

wanted me to handle it, which is fine, but it was definitely stressful trying to figure out all those forms.” Garner discussed that many students find the transition from high school to college difficult. “The best way to ensure that it will go smoothly is to file your FAFSA early and follow up with the financial aid office to find if anything else is needed to complete your FAFSA,” shared Garner. “High school students should also be aware of the requirements for TOPS and scholarships and if needed, take the ACT again to boost their score.” For public universities, more students are receiving scholarships than they did at the beginning of the century. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 71 percent of full-time, undergraduate students at a fouryear, postsecondary educational institution received federal aid during the 2000-2001 school year. For the 2015-2016 year, 83 percent of students received aid. Garner noted that students who live far from the university can call the financial aid office or their guidance counselor for any scholarship concerns. “A high school counselor could assist a student in answering questions or getting documents sent to the financial

aid office,” commented Garner. To help with the application process, Garner encouraged students to be mindful of scholarship deadlines. He stated that freshmen scholarships come directly from the university, but he explained other ways for students to search for financial aid. Garner shared, “Students can also search for scholarships locally in their hometown or home parish with organizations such as a Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce or veterans group such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Legion if a member of their family is a veteran.” For Davies, college was heavily encouraged by her family. Two of her older siblings earned a degree from the university, and one had earned their doctorate. She explained that the university’s small class sizes and intimacy has enhanced her college experience. “I know it sounds cheesy because they tout it on all of their advertisements, but having a smaller class size really does improve your academic experience,” shared Davies. “I would say that is a good pro for students from rural areas. Southeastern also has a small town feel, in my opinion, so I can imagine that would help students from rural areas feel more comfortable.”

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Volume 90, Issue 22 A Student Publication www.lionsroarnews.com lionsroar@southeastern.edu


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