National Mental Health Month: Why Talking Can Be Therapeutic

Talking about painful experiences – whether to an understanding friend, relative or an entire group – is never easy. Most people don’t want to seem vulnerable or be perceived as weak. They prefer to remain silent as a way of protecting themselves from further emotional distress.

There are also practical barriers to seeking mental health support. For instance, the cost of therapy could create financial strain or the process of finding an in-network provider can feel time-consuming and overwhelming.

However, talking about our past experiences and how they have affected us today can be therapeutic in several ways. For instance, a sympathetic listener can:

• Offer practical solutions or different perspectives to problems
• Help identify behavioral patterns that may be causing negative effects
• Relieve or reduce feelings of mental or emotional stress
• Encourage the development of resilience over time

In recognition of National Mental Health Month, this month’s theme, “Turning Silence into Connection,” highlights the value of open dialogue. If you have a story you feel ready to share, consider connecting with someone through one of the University’s support services.

Too often, we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” — Leo Buscaglia, U.S. author and motivational speaker

Mental Health Services Offered at the University

The University offers several services to aid our University community members. These free resources include:

• Uwill^® – Uwill provides teletherapy services and trained counselors through phone calls, video calls, chat or text messaging.
• TalkCampus – TalkCampus is a peer support program with professional monitors, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• University Chaplains – When you need support, you can reach the University Chaplains via chaplain@apus.edu. You can also reach out to the chaplains by calling or texting them at 304-620-3577 or 703-357-3990.
• Active Minds – This student organization is dedicated to increasing public awareness of mental health issues and offers mental health resources for members of the University community.

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