What do 20 percent of resident assistants, 14 percent of National Merit scholars and 18 percent of Government of the Student Body senators have in common?

According to Student Counseling Services, that is the number of students on campus who use its facilities.

Located on the third floor of the Student Services Building, this free counseling service is geared toward ISU students, faculty and staff.

“We provide individual, career, couples and groups counseling, as well as eating disorder assessment, substance abuse assessment, a drug education seminar, testing services and outreach,” said Suzanne Zilber, staff psychologist for Student Counseling Services.

There are two African-American male counselors this year, along with a Latino male counselor, a female bisexual counselor, several gay counselors, one Buddhist and several Christian counselors. Although students don’t usually request a certain type of counselor, many of them feel more comfortable with someone who shares similarities, Zilber said.

The staff at Student Counseling Services are either licensed psychologists or mental health practitioners. When prescription medication is necessary, the client is referred to Thielen Student Health Center.

Demand for counseling at Iowa State and across the country has gone up in the past five years, said Michelle Clark, associate director of Student Counseling Services. She attributes this to a growing acceptance of mental health treatment.

“About 20 percent of students here indicate that they’ve had some sort of mental health treatment or evaluation,” Clark said.

Still, many students are reluctant to seek help.

“It’s harder to come to the counseling center for the first time than it is to see a physician about a sore throat,” Clark said. “But the healthiest students are the ones who realize when they need help and actually request that help.”

Anxiety about schoolwork, relationships and depression are some of the main reasons college students seek counseling. Zilber advocates that anyone who is experiencing a major change in eating and sleeping habits, a lack of interest in activities, or self-destructive behavior; or who is avoiding social situations, seek counseling.

One ISU student, who asked not to be named because he is being treated for depression, said he has benefited from using Student Counseling Services.

“I had weekly therapy sessions for eight sessions. I’ve dealt with low-level depression for a number of years, and from time to time I need help managing the depression. I also have had to tackle some recurring issues with family and school work, and it was helpful for me to sort out some of those issues with a professional.”

Counseling has received more attention since Sept. 11.

“Sept. 11 has made everybody in almost every profession ask themselves what they can do in a world that feels less safe,” Zilber said.