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Student Life

Decatur & Atlanta

Come visit us in beautiful Decatur, Georgia, with easy access to nearby Atlanta.

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Life Management Support

Life Management Support aids students by providing life coaching and free and confidential, one-on-one, short-term mental health counseling. We assist students in defining and meeting personal, academic, and career objectives. Workshops and events to promote personal development and well-being are offered.

Life Coaching is important to help us learn more about ourselves and utilize what is learned in the most positive ways possible. We understand that counseling/coaching can be awkward for some. The goal of the Life Management Team is to alleviate some of that discomfort. Our job is to create a safe space for individuals to grow using cognitive, solution-focused and narrative therapy.

Please check out the following links:

  1. Schedule a meeting with a life coach/counselor
    https://www.therapyportal.com/p/piercemortuarycolleges/
  2. Life Management Newsletter (link coming soon)
  3. Life Management Social Media (link coming soon)

Meet the Life Management Team

Christen Jackson
Christen Jackson, MPH

Christen is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Master of Public Health – Health Behavior concentration and Gerontology certification.  Ms. Jackson has been in the Education field since 2020 and moved to Higher Education in 2022.  She enjoys listening to music, playing video games, and watching “Top Chef”. As a Life Manager, Christen is passionate about creating a safe, non-judgmental, confidential space for students, staff, and faculty. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1) Where is the Life-Management Office Located?

Life Management is located in the main office suite. Ms. Jackson’s office is the 3rd door on the right. Our Administrative Assistant will assist students with directions if needed. 

2) How much does it cost? 
All coaching appointments with the life management office are free of charge. This includes intake appointments, follow-ups, walk-ins, and crisis appointments. If an assessment for medication is indicated and desired, we may facilitate a referral to a community provider. 

3) What are the Life-Management Office Hours? 
Appointments are typically scheduled Monday-Friday, with some evening appointments available. We try to accommodate our students needs as best we can. Contact information is available below. 

4) What happens during my first session with a Counselor? 
The life-coach you meet with individually will discuss the reasons that brought you to the office. They may ask what types of symptoms you are experiencing and how you have been coping. They may also ask questions related to your academics and any barriers you are encountering. During the first meeting, you and your coach will discuss strategies for coping that best fit your needs, preferences, and resources. 

5) Are there session limits at the Life Management office? 
No, current Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service students are allowed to meet with a Life-Management Coach as needed. 

6) What if I get referred to the community?
If a student requires longer-term or more intensive psychotherapy or specialized care that the Life-Management staff cannot provide, we will make a referral to a clinician in the community who can provide that care. If you are referred to a clinician in the community, you will need to use your health insurance or pay out of pocket for that care. We will make every effort to make sure the referral fits your clinical and practical needs. If the referral is not working for you, for any reason, you are encouraged to contact the counselor that you initially saw to discuss your options.

7) How does confidentiality work? Will a counselor tell people (e.g., professors, administrators, parents) what is discussed in our appointment?
Confidentiality: Information shared during a counseling session will be handled in a confidential manner to the extent permitted by law. Your records are classified as private data about you and can only be disclosed to others outside of the college if:
                  a) You sign a release of information permitting such disclosure. 
                  b) Needed to protect the health or safety of yourself or others. 
                 c) Required to report abuse or neglect of minors or vulnerable adults. 
                d) Records are subject to a valid subpoena or court order. 

8) What if I am having thoughts of suicide? 
If you are having thoughts of suicide, it is important that you let your counselor know. Suicidal thoughts vary greatly and understanding the nature of your thoughts will assist us in providing the best care to keep you safe and provide you the appropriate help. 

9) I am not getting the grades I had hoped to earn. How can a counselor help?  
Your counselor/coach can help you with study strategies, exploring your learning style, test taking strategies, steps to reduce test anxiety, and ways to resolve personal concerns that may be interfering with your ability to concentrate on your studies. If a life trauma has prevented you from succeeding in classes during a particular semester, you and your counselor can discuss academic policies to consider.

Contact Us

Location:   5141 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Decatur, GA 30035
Phone:      770-670-4025
Email:      lifemanagement@gupton-jones.edu

Resources

The Life Management Office offers an Online Mental Health Screening, which can be accessed by students who may have questions or concerns about whether to seek support for common, treatable mental health issues such as depression, alcohol, eating disorders and more. This online screening is free and confidential. It is offered so that you may find out – in a few minutes – whether professional consultation would be helpful to you. Results are not shared with campus professionals.  Please access the screening using the following link:

https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/

Assistance Hotlines:

Georgia

  1. Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) 24/7 Crisis Line: 1-800-715-4225
  2. National Alliance of Mental Health- Georgia Chapter Resources
    https://namiga.org/resources/community-resources/

National

  1. National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
  2. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
    Students of color can text STEVE to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to speak with an urgent care counselor dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color.
  3. The Trevor Project (Suicide prevention service for LGBTQ youth): 1(866) 488-7386
  4. The Trans Lifeline: 1(877) 565 8860
  5. Hope's Door New Beginnings Center Domestic Violence Crisis Hotline: (972) 276-0057
  6. Turning Point Rape Crisis Center Hotline: 1(800) 866-7273
  7. Veterans Crisis Line: 1(800) 273 8255, Press 1
  8. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
    The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.  https://www.nami.org/home
     State Chapter-  https://www.nami.org/Find-Your-Local-NAMI/Affiliate?state=GA

Other resources:

Please check out the following links for a variety of organizations dedicated to assisting with Life Management:

 

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