I'm a sophomore at IU, but I came home to French Lick for summer break feeling completely overwhelmed. College anxiety, social media comparison, future career worries - it was all hitting me at once. I knew I needed to talk to someone, but I didn't want to burden my parents or wait until I got back to campus.
When I went to French Lick Family Medicine for a routine checkup, they told me about Faith Net services. As someone who's comfortable with technology, video therapy didn't seem weird to me at all. If anything, it felt more natural than sitting in a traditional therapist's office.
The licensed social worker I worked with really understood the pressures that young people face today. She helped me recognize how social media was affecting my self-esteem and gave me practical strategies for managing academic stress and social anxiety.
What I loved most was that I could get help right in my hometown without my parents having to drive me to Bloomington or worry about finding a therapist. The sessions felt private and comfortable, and I could be completely honest about my struggles with depression and anxiety.
Faith Net taught me that mental health care doesn't have to be this huge, scary thing. It can be as normal as going to the doctor for a physical checkup. I'm heading back to school this fall with better coping skills and a plan for managing stress during finals week.