New mental health counselor eager to help Cedar students
Depression is a major issue among teenagers: 99,000 more teens experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2020 than in 2019. To address the decline in mental health, Cedar Shoals hired alumni Kizzy Wingfield to focus solely on mental health awareness and wellbeing.
“I want to create an environment where mental health and wellness is normalized. A space where teens and young adults can feel that if they need help, they don’t have to feel alone, we’re here to help them through this process,” Wingfield said.
Wingfield provides direct services to students and families by developing youth leadership and primary skills. Additionally, she plans on helping students with mental health and wellness by guiding parents and guardians on how they can help their children.
“I think that they chose me because they could see my passion to help youth at Cedar Shoals,” Wingfield said. “In addition to my own professional educational background, I have a unique way of providing counseling, but I also have that substance abuse component as well.”
With 14 years of counseling experience, Wingfield was previously a mental health counselor at the Athens Clinic, a treatment center for opioid use disorder. Often, when people think of counseling, they imagine entering an office and sitting on a couch, but she prefers to do it in a more natural environment that puts students at ease.
“We may be working on different skills, we may be playing a game, but I’m still communicating on special needs, depression or anxiety. It’s a natural environment so the clients don’t feel overwhelmed. They don’t even know, ‘Hey, I’m actually paying attention right now,’ because they’re having fun. Counseling does not have to be boring,” Wingfield said.
To be more visible to students, Wingfield plans to get outside of the counseling suite and set up in the cafeteria, making it easier for students to see and meet her. She also hopes to speak in classes about the importance of mental health and maintaining a strong mindset.
Wingfield wants students to know that they have an excellent support group that is waiting and happy to help them.
“There’s nothing wrong with, ‘Hey, I’m not feeling like myself right now,’ or ‘Hey, I feel like I’m about to explode on someone.’ It’s OK to get the help that you need,” Wingfield said. “My philosophy regarding counseling is, you want to meet the needs of the population that you’re serving.”
A class of 1997 Cedar Shoals graduate, Wingfield attended Albany State University to study psychology.
“I love Cedar Shoals, I had a great experience while in school here. I had a lot of teachers that supported me during my transition to a young adult,” Wingfield said.
Along with her psychology degree Wingfield also has a masters in education with a concentration in psychology and counseling. She currently attends Capella University online to get a doctorate in Advanced Studies in Human Development.
Grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that she grew up in, Wingfield knows just how instrumental and influential teachers are for students.
“Teachers and counselors have a huge impact on the child’s life,” Wingfield said. “Just sitting and listening, being present in the moment just saying ‘I care, you’re important,’ and letting them know ‘you can.’”
