Student Counseling Services held its final Self-Help Talk 101 Workshop of the semester on Wednesday. 

The workshop was available to all Creighton students and was designed to improve “self talk and learn to turn kindness inward,” according to SCS. Sessions were bi-weekly and held in the Skutt Student Center on Wednesday evenings. 

According to mental health counselor Maddie Moore, SCS started the workshop in September of 2021 as an effort to expand the department’s mental health resources. 

“SCS wanted to bulk up our offerings outside of individual counseling, because counseling is not for everyone and not everyone needs 1-on-1 therapy to see change in their lives,” Moore said. 

Moore explained the importance of self-talk, or the “inner voice that provides a running monologue throughout the day,” as defined by Psychology Today. 

Moore said that many students experience negative self-talk, which can make the world “seem increasingly lonely, sad, frustrating, upsetting, or hopeless.” The Self-Talk 101 Workshop helps students create a more positive and accepting internal monologue. 

The workshop is one of several held by SCS, including their “Beating the Bluejay Blues” and “Calming the Mind” events. The workshops are held at different times throughout both semesters and offer free snacks and gift bags to those who attend. 

The final Self-Talk 101 Workshop was held on Wednesday, as student attendance tends to drop as finals get closer. Moore said overall attendance has been low despite “overwhelmingly positive feedback” from students who do participate in the events. 

Moore said the workshop will likely return this fall but said SCS will reevaluate its location, time and engagement strategy in an effort to increase participation. 

“The workshop is helpful and necessary, given how many students struggle with mental health on this campus,” Moore said, “yet we struggle so much with getting students there.” 

Andrew Standard, a junior in Heider College of Business, discussed the workshops and expressed interest in attending one in the future. 

“A lot of my time is taken up by classes and studying, so I haven’t really considered going to one of these workshops,” Standard said, “but it honestly might be helpful especially when I’m getting stressed.” 

Students who are interested in improving their self-talk or mental health in general can visit the SCS website to find upcoming events and resources provided by the department. 

“I hope this workshop reminds people to be gentle with themselves when they struggle,” Moore said.