Kim Kavalsky
During her four years as a mental health outreach coordinator at 海角淫母乱伦, Kim Kavalsky鈥檚 passion has grown, not only for her profession, but also for her university.
Originally from Tupelo, Kavalsky has been in Starkville since 1999.
鈥淚t is such an honor to be able to work for your alma mater,鈥� said the MSU graduate who holds both bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees from the university.
In addition to talking with students about mental health, Kavalsky also coordinates events and speakers on campus to spread awareness. Additionally, she serves as a counselor one day a week at the MSU Student Counseling Center.聽 聽聽
Kavalsky works to make students aware of the counseling resources available to them, as well as to diminish the stigma many times associated with mental illness.
鈥淚t鈥檚 happening; we can鈥檛 ignore it鈥攍et鈥檚 talk about it,鈥� she said.
She believes that mental illness has touched peoples鈥� lives in many different ways whether they realize it or not. She said if she helps just one person with what she does, she will consider it a great success.
Kavalsky said she enjoys her job鈥檚 special emphasis on students. She believes it is important to reach out to college students in this phase of life, and to teach them how to deal with problems鈥攎aking them more resilient into adulthood. 聽 聽聽
She feels Mississippi 海角淫母乱伦has improved its emphasis on mental health and that discussions on the topic increase each day.
鈥淐ollege students these days are much more aware of mental health and don鈥檛 place as much of a stigma around it.鈥�
Kavalsky has a simple message to MSU students.
鈥淚 know we say 鈥楳aroon Family鈥� a lot, but, it really is true. A family is someone who looks out for you and helps you. Through the mental health resources offered at MSU, you are being looked out for and cared for a great deal.鈥�