September 2022 Newsletter

Hey, Highlanders! September is Suicide Prevention Month, so we curated some wellness resources for you! You’re now 1/3 of the way through the semester, so we hope you’ve established some healthy rhythms. In any case, we have some more tips and resources to connect you with. Read on!

Spotlight: On-Campus Resource

Did you know that MCC has a counseling center right on campus? The mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide psychological counseling and/or referral services to assist students in achieving academic success and personal development goals.” 

The Counseling Center can help students facing a variety of concerns, including stress, anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, depression, relationship issues, difficulty making decisions, grief, and/or trauma. The counseling center has trained professionals who can talk about any concerns you may have.

The Counseling Center offers free, unlimited, individual and crisis appointments to all MCC students. Call 254-299-8210 or email counseling@mclennan.edu to schedule an appointment!

If you are on-campus and in crisis or danger or need help immediately, please call Campus Police at 299-8911 or call 911.

Spotlight: Off-Campus Resource

The Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network (formerly MHMR) is a local organization that offers a variety of mental health services and crisis services on a sliding pay scale based on what you can afford. This means HOTBHN will not turn people away who don’t have insurance.

Services offered include: mental health case management, psychiatric services, outpatient substance use services, counseling, supported housing and employment, and peer support.

For more information, visit the HOTBHN website or call 254-752-3451.
 

Shout-out!

Thank you to Diane Nowlain and all the cafeteria staff for your hard work in feeding students and staff on the regular. We’re especially grateful for your help in navigating food challenges with Paulanne’s Pantry and each time you portioned out food for shoppers to grab!

Self-Care Tip

In light of our reflection on Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and our efforts to destigmatize help-seeking behaviors, we wanted to include some of the benefits of counseling for anyone considering visiting the MCC Counseling Center or finding a therapist off campus.

• Counseling is individualized, which means the things you talk about and the skills you learn will be unique to your goals and your comfort level.
• Counseling helps you improve communication, interpersonal skills, and conflict resolution.
• Counseling can help you love yourself better, such as by helping you accept yourself and increase your self-esteem.
• Counseling helps you change behaviors that you’re not fond of, especially those that are self-defeating or self-sabotaging.
• Counseling helps you understand and better manage your emotions.
• Counseling can help you find relief from mental health concerns like depression or anxiety.
• Counseling helps you develop coping skills and problem-solving skills to manage stress like school or significant life changes.
• Counseling can help you improve your ability to make decisions, which is especially important for college students selecting a major or applying for jobs!
• Counseling offers a safe outlet for you to vent about what you’re feeling, but the counselor will not leave you there; they’ll help you find hope, motivation, or encouragement as you work towards your goals.

Starting counseling might feel overwhelming at first as you look at all the technical language, types of therapy, and number of counselors that come from a search on Google or Psychology Today. The staff in the Counseling Center would be happy to help you walk through the process of finding a counselor. You can also read this article for a brief overview: Types of Counseling

Read more here: 27 Benefits of Counseling

Easy Recipe

This month we’re sharing a sheet pan dinner recipe. Sheet pan meals are super easy because they require only one dish, offer a balanced meal, and all the ingredients cook together! It’s also easy to swap out different meats or veggies based on your preferences

Need any ingredients? Swing by Paulanne’s for some non-perishable goods, frozen meat, fresh fruit, cheese, and/or milk!

Sheet Pan Kielbasa, Potatoes, & Green Beans

Prep Time: 10 mins 
Cook Time: 35 mins 
Total Time: 45 mins 
Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 24 oz. petite red potatoes 
• 12 oz. kielbasa 
• 1 yellow onion 
• 12 oz. frozen green beans 
• 2 Tbsp olive oil 
• 1/2 Tbsp steak seasoning 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Wash and slice the potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Slice the kielbasa into medallions. Dice the onion into 1-inch pieces.
2. Add the potatoes, kielbasa, onion, and frozen green beans (no need to thaw) to a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the steak seasoning over top. Use your hands to toss the ingredients until everything is coated in oil and spices.
3. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and roast in the oven for 20 minutes, then give the ingredients on the sheet pan a good stir. Roast for an additional 15 minutes, or until the ingredients achieve the level of browning you desire. Serve hot.

NUTRITION (per 1 serving)

Calories: 504.88kcal | Carbohydrates: 40.3g | Protein: 15.65g | Fat: 32.45g | Sodium: 1028.88mg | Fiber: 5.88g

Stats

Shepherd’s Heart: One distribution in August that served 156 families in McLennan County (36 new households this month!)

Paulanne’s Pantry: 56 Highlanders visited Paulanne’s in August

Waco Transit: 1,248 rides on Waco Transit using the free MCC student fare cards

CREW This Month

There are support group meetings available for students experiencing stress in college.  For information on how to join a group, reach out to the DEI Office at 254-299-8334.

More events are available on the CREW calendar! Be sure to save the calendar so you never miss an event!

View past newsletters here: https://www.mclennan.edu/campus-resource-guide/newsletter.html

*Composed by Emma Cartisano*