Marywood’s Counseling and Student Development Center (C/SDC) is working to remove the stigma on seeking help.

On Oct. 1, the C/SDC hosted their 13th annual “Nothing to Hide” event on campus. The event is designed to raise awareness for students on campus about their mental health and to reduce the stigma on seeking help.

Laura Chickson, a staff counselor in the C/SDC, hopes students got the message.

“This whole event is about reducing stigma and raising awareness,” said Chickson. “And so if we can do that, if we can touch students on this campus and let people know that they’re not alone, then we’re doing our job.”

The C/SDC offers confidential counseling to all students on campus who are looking to discuss any issues they are dealing with. The C/SDC also offers several different mental health group programs including self-esteem enhancement and stress management.

The event was a combined effort by over 30 participating groups, with performances from speakers and groups including the Step and Dance teams, along with free giveaways from several local businesses and restaurants.

Jovanne Morales, senior pre-veterinary major, hopes students can continue to remove the stigma of something “being wrong” with anyone who attends counseling.

“I think ‘Nothing to Hide’ is really important for people. It encourages them to open up more,” said Morales. “This is an important event because it gets rid of that stigma that whatever [a student] has is wrong, but it’s really okay.”

The C/SDC is located in the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, Room 1017. Appointments with a counselor may be made by phone at 570-348-6245 or by email at csdc@marywood.edu.