Aggies Are Never Alone: Support When You Need It at Texas A&M

Going through difficult seasons and struggles in college is a completely normal experience.

It can also feel overwhelming to ask for help, especially at a university of more than 80,000 students. Students might not know where to start when they need a hand up, or feel the stigma of reaching out to begin with.

Those are very real feelings to overcome, but there is a team in Student Life at Texas A&M here to help Aggies navigate difficult situations.

Meet Student Assistance Services (SAS), Student Life’s onsite case managers and a part of the network of care and support available to students at Texas A&M.

What is SAS?

Think about SAS as problem solvers who help students who find themselves in any sort of crisis or distress. Whether you need help navigating a difficult situation or just aren’t sure where to start, SAS can serve as that first point of contact and a soft landing place when life gets complicated.

These case managers are dedicated to connecting Aggies with the guidance, resources and support they need for personal and academic challenges. One important caveat: SAS staff are not counselors. For a lot of students, that’s actually what makes walking through the door feel a lot less intimidating.

What kinds of things can SAS help with?

SAS supports students with a wide range of challenges, including academic struggles and financial stress, like housing issues and food insecurity. They can help with medical issues, relationship difficulties, major life transitions and in supporting Aggies in the wake of loss, including Silver Taps and student death notifications.

The point is, no challenge is too big or too small. If something is affecting your ability to show up as your best self, SAS wants to hear from you.

Challenges and issues can affect so many different people at so many different times in their lives. College-age students are often experiencing those things for the first time, and it is more common than you probably realize.

How do you know when it’s time to reach out?

You don’t have to be in crisis to contact SAS. In fact, the team encourages students to get ahead of problems. Some signs it might be time to reach out, whether for yourself or a friend, can include:

• Changes in sleep or eating habits
• Withdrawing from activities you used to enjoy
• Falling behind academically
• A general feeling that something is off, but you can’t quite name it

It’s okay to not be okay. But also know that there is a support system specifically in place to help guide you through whatever situation you’re feeling right now.

What if you’re worried about a friend?

It’s a lot of pressure to be the person a friend leans on, and it’s important to remember that you don’t have to have all the answers.
In these situations, it’s okay to say, “I support you, but let me get you to someone who can help.” That’s why support and resources in Student Life and in many other departments around campus exist.

If you’re concerned about a friend but aren’t sure how to bring it up, you can submit an anonymous report through Texas A&M’s Tell Somebody reporting system. It’s a simple, low-pressure way to flag a concern and it won’t get your friend in trouble.

What happens when you reach out?

Reaching out can feel like the scariest step, but the SAS team works hard to make it as easy as possible. When you contact Student Life, you’ll be connected with a case manager who will sit down with you, hear what’s going on and help figure out the best path forward.

You can share as much or as little as you want. Meeting with a case manager in Student Life is not a place where information is demanded from you.

From there, the team can connect you to the right resources across campus, and they’ll even walk you through exactly what to expect so nothing feels like a surprise.

As one case manager puts it, “Our job isn’t to judge, it’s always to support.”

Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed

One of the biggest takeaways from the SAS team? Be proactive. The resources at Texas A&M are here for every student.

“Take advantage of the resources here in Student Life,” encourages Assistant Director Kristen Brunson. “Don’t wait until you’re completely overwhelmed by circumstances to reach out.”

Identify your support network early. Know who you can call. And remember that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s one of the smartest things you can do.