THE
BLUE &GRAY
PRESS
February 14, 2019
VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 16
1922 Students utilize and benefit from a variety of therapy groups at UMW’s Talley Center
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Amanda Smith Staff Writer
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that “one in five college students experience a mental health condition, with 75 percent of all mental health conditions surfacing by the age of twenty-four.” UMW’s Talley Center wants to promote awareness of resources and
Group therapy is proven to have psychological benefits. Amanda Smith / The Blue & Gray Press
SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE
process, they really benefit from the solutions to students on campus and group, but also find when they give it a emphasize they have access to these fair chance they really enjoy and want so they can cope and overcome their to continue the process,” he said. struggles and stress in college. One UMW psychology professor Emily highly recommended outlet, according Stanley said, “In general, an advantage to UMW’s Talley Center, is group of group therapy is that it allows people therapy. to practice the skills they are working Group therapy is offered to any and on with the other group members and all students attending the university, to get ideas and feedback from the and all are encouraged to reach out by group appointment members. so the “In general, an advantage of group It also lets counsellors can refer therapy is that it allows people to practice people know that them a the skills they are working on with the they are group that other group members and to get ideas not the could help. The Talley and feedback from the group members.” only one struggling Center with runs about -Dr. Emily Stanley things.” seven to There eight unique are groups per additional psychological benefits to semester that offer a variety of outlets. participating in group therapy. According to Dr. Tevya Zukor, “We’ve all been members of groups Director of the Talley Center and – from our families of origin to school, certified group psychotherapist, work and social settings,” Jeremy students get over their initial Schwartz, a LCSW psychotherapist intimidation at sharing their story with said in his 2017 article in US News. a group of strangers pretty quickly. “Because of this, group therapy comes “When students open up to the
Students in the expressive art group use art to express their mental health. Amanda Smith / The Blue & Gray Press
very close to our real-life experiences, providing a realistic setting to work through real-life problems.” Students at UMW have said that group therapy can be an impactful experience. According to UMW psychology and special education major Megan Suprise, “group therapy can be more rewarding than individual therapy. Connecting with other people can be weird, but if you hear what they have to say, •GROUP THERAPY | 2
Residence Life to hire new assistant director evaluating each one very individually and not only determining what kinds of skill sets we can benefit from, but On Thursday, Feb. 7, Mary where can we also use current skill Washington administrators met in the sets within department to complement Colonnade that,” said Dean Room to Fleming. interview “There are a lot of different He went a potential on to add that roles this person plays... I would candidate for “There are a say generally, someone with the position lot of different of Assistant initiative, someone who wants to roles this person Director of plays... I would collaborate with those Residence say generally, Life. This within the department and someone with was the campus partners, and someone initiative, third of such who is student focused – that’s someone meetings. who wants to Although very important.” collaborate with Dean Dave those within the Fleming, the department and Assistant -Dean Dave Fleming campus partners, Dean of and someone Resident Life who is student and Housing, declined to comment focused – that’s very important.” on any individual candidates, he did According to Fleming, the outline some of what he would like to responsibilities of this role center on see in a candidate for the position. coordinating Resident Assistants (RAs) “It’s difficult to tell you what I’m and Area Coordinators (ACs) as a looking for in a candidate because direct supervisor, involvement in RA candidates come in with all sorts of recruitment and assessment, forming different skills and qualities. It really Living Learning Communities, and depends on the candidate. We’re supervising •RESIDENCE LIFE | 11
AUGUSTUS GROHMANN Staff Writer
Jaime Opanashuk was recently hired as UMW’s new confidential victim advocate. Marty Morrison / University Relations
UMW welcomes new Office of Title IX Victim Advocate
Laura taylor Senior Writer
After receiving a grant from the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women, the University of Mary Washington hired Jaime Opanashuk to be the new victim advocate. Prior to moving to Fredericksburg, Opanashuk was a United States Probation Officer. Opanashuk has been either a victim’s advocate or a probation/parole officer throughout her entire career.
IN THIS
ISSUE
“As a probation officer, I supervised offenders to increase survivor/ community safety,” said Opanashuk. “As UMW’s confidential advocate, my role is to provide services directly to survivors of domestic violence, stalking and relationship abuse so they can make informed and empowered decisions for themselves. However, my motivation in each role was the same: Increase community/victim safety and support victims of crime.” In her role as victim advocate, Opanashuk is a confidential resource for • VICTIMS ADVOCATE | 10
Ted BUNDY
NORTHAM BLACKFACE
Netflix original falls short of expectations.
Virginia governor’s humiliating blackface past.
LIFE | 7
VIEWPOINTS | 4
SENIOR DAY
Women’s and men’s basketball win their senior day games.
SPORTS | 12