Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website
Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website
St. John's University recently hosted an open house at its Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office to showcase the mental health and wellness resources available to students. The event, held on February 5, aimed to familiarize students with the university's counseling, spiritual development, physical wellness, academic, and career guidance services.
Jonathan W. Dator, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services, highlighted the welcoming yet confidential environment provided by CAPS. "Between the ages of 18 and 27 is when mental health diagnoses will occur for most people," Dr. Dator explained. "The other reality is that college is a time of transition, when life changes and adjusts, and that is hard for anybody. So, we want students to know that this is a place where you can come, talk privately, and build a home away from home."
CAPS offers free services to all St. John's students in both virtual and in-person formats. These include short-term counseling, psychological services, skill workshops tailored to each student's needs.
The CAPS team consists of licensed psychologists; clinical social workers; licensed mental health counselors; a psychiatrist consultant; doctoral fellows; graduate assistants; and administrative staff. They address issues such as stress, anxiety, academic distress, relationship difficulties, cultural identity challenges, trauma, substance abuse problems among others.
Isabella Rodriguez-Velasquez has benefited from these resources in her roles as a graduate assistant at CAPS and a second-year doctoral student in the School Psychology program at St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She emphasized the importance of access to mental health resources for all students and encouraged them to be open-minded about seeking wellness care.
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