Mental Health Awareness Month: Supporting College Students Impacted by Sexual Harm

by Loyola Student Patrick Okoro & Greenlight Family Services

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the deep connection between emotional well-being and community care. At Greenlight Family Services, we know that for many college students, mental health challenges are closely tied to experiences of sexual harm, relationship violence, and trauma.

College should be a time of growth, discovery, and independence. For too many students, experiences of sexual assault, harassment, or coercion disrupt that path, affecting academic performance, relationships, sleep, focus, and overall sense of safety.

This month, the Love + Light campaign affirms our commitment to walking alongside college students who are navigating the mental health impact of sexual harm. Greenlight’s partnerships with campus Greek Life, student government organizations, and wellness offices spread awareness and impact across Chicagoland.

The Mental Health Impact of Sexual Harm

Experiencing sexual harm has lasting emotional and psychological effects, and can deteriorate academic performance. According to an article by the National Library of Medicine, survivors may experience:

  • Lower academic confidence and effectiveness
  • Higher academic stress
  • Reduced commitment to staying in school
  • Lower diligence in schoolwork
  • Higher dropout rates (about 34.1% for survivors)

An article published by St. John’s University highlights several impacts of sexual trauma on mental health (Macchiarola, 2024):

  • Shock
  • Sadness
  • Despair
  • Anger
  • Confusion
  • Flashbacks

These are common trauma responses. They are not personal failures. Healing requires support, safety, and access to the right resources. Unfortunately, stigma and fear often prevent students from seeking help. Some worry they won’t be believed. Others fear academic or social consequences. Mental Health Awareness Month challenges us to create environments where survivors are met with compassion and confidentiality.

Trauma-Informed Therapy at Greenlight Counseling

Greenlight Counseling’s network of licensed therapists specializes in trauma-informed, survivor-centered care. These clinicians are trained in evidence-based approaches that support healing from sexual trauma, including:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • See more details on our therapy network page

Whether a student experienced harm recently or years ago, therapy can help them regain a sense of control, build coping skills, and restore confidence.

How Students Can Access Greenlight Counseling

Accessing care should not be overwhelming. Students can:

Our intake team helps match students with a therapist based on their needs, preferences, and availability. For students unsure where to start, even a brief consultation can provide clarity and next steps.

A Community Responsibility

Healing from sexual harm does not happen in isolation. It happens when:

  • Friends respond with belief and empathy
  • Campuses promote confidential, trauma-informed resources
  • Communities prioritize survivor safety
  • Mental health services are accessible and affordable

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that safety and mental wellness are deeply connected. When we support survivors, we strengthen entire campuses and communities.

The Love + Light Campaign

If you want to make a difference for student survivors, consider joining the Love + Light Movement. Love + Light raises funds for Greenlight Counseling, a program that offers 20 free sessions of therapy to college student survivors of sexual assault. The campaign reflects our belief that survivors deserve both compassion (Love) and hope (Light).

The Love + Light Movement:

  • Funds access to trauma-informed counseling for student survivors
  • Raises awareness about the 20 available free therapy sessions
  • Educates communities about the prevalence of campus sexual violence

From April through the end of May 2026, you can support the campaign to ensure that college student survivors have access to the professional mental health services they deserve. Learn more and join the Love + Light movement here.

You Are Not Alone

If you are a college student who has experienced sexual harm, support is available. Seeking therapy is not about reliving trauma; it is about reclaiming your sense of stability and strength.

At Greenlight Counseling, we are committed to providing compassionate, confidential care that helps survivors move from surviving to healing.

To learn more about counseling services or to get involved in the Love + Light campaign, we encourage you to connect with us.

Healing happens with community. No one should walk that journey alone.

 

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