CLEVELAND, Miss.— Navigating through college, especially during a global pandemic, can be challenging. Fortunately, students at Delta State University have access to resources on campus designed to support their overall wellbeing.
The Office of Health & Counseling Services, located in the O.W. Reilly Student Health Center at Delta State, serves as an all-in-one resource for students’ physical and mental needs. The health center offers basic medical care as well as behavioral health consultation and psychiatry services to the Delta State community.
KaShanta Jackson
In addition, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are currently available to the Delta State community at the center by appointment only
All services available at the student health center are available free of charge.
KaShanta Jackson serves as the director of the Office of Health and Counseling Services and ADA Coordinator.
According to Jackson, physical health and mental health goes hand-in-hand, and she is excited to have both services now available to DSU students under one office.
She encourages all students to utilize both the physical and mental healthcare services that the center provides.
“Oftentimes, individuals will take care of their physical health, but they are reluctant to take care of their mental health,” she said.
LaJoyce Stewart, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, an experienced nurse practitioner, has served as the nurse practitioner at the center since Oct. 2020.
Currently, the center treats students with non-severe ailments, such as those related to the ear-nose-throat, headaches and minor cuts. Stewart can also write prescriptions or make referrals as needed.
No appointment is required to visit the health center for basic health services.
Nurse Practitioner LaJoyce Stewart, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, examines a patient at Delta State’s O.W. Reilly Student Health Center.
Counseling services are available to the Delta State community through face-to-face or virtual counseling sessions.
The team of mental health counselors consists of Jackson; Paula King, P-LPC, NCC; and Anna Weems, P-LPC, NCC.
A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Weems is the newest member of Delta State’s counseling team. Prior to joining Delta State, Weems worked for a counseling center based in Oxford, Miss.
The Office of Health & Counseling Services is looking forward to continuing its offering of wellness initiatives for students and the campus population.
In addition, the office is also available to partner with student organizations for various events.
“Everything we do is centered on student success. Our goal is to support our students as they continue with their academics so that they can be successful,” said Jackson.
The O.W. Reilly Student Health Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Appointments are recommended for counseling services and be secured by emailing counselingandtesting@deltastate.edu.
For questions or more information, visit the Health Services and the Counseling Services webpage, e-mail healthservices@deltastate.edu or call (662) 846-4630.
