Emotional Wellness at Cal Poly

1. Emotional Wellness at Cal Poly Dr. Hannah Roberts

2. Overview College is a time of transition. When paired with the pressures of academic life, that transition can sometimes overwhelm students. Cal Poly has a wide variety of services available to help students succeed. Today, I hope to familiarize you with the resources offered by Health & Counseling Services and provide tips for what you can do to stay emotionally healthy during potentially difficult times.

3. What We Wish Every Student Knew You Are Not Alone • Studies show that emotional issues — from stress and anxiety to depression and eating disorders — are the main reason college students struggle. Recent research also found that 50 percent of college students have been so stressed that they couldn’t get their school work done during the past year. Healthy Habits Help • Sleep, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle activities are so important. • You can develop healthy habits as soon as you arrive. The Sooner, The Better • Untreated symptoms often get worse---but the sooner students get treatment, the sooner they will begin to feel better. The Stakes are High • Untreated or inadequately treated mental health issues can lead to substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors. • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students.

4. Why Is This Important?What We Know About Cal Poly Students Student Data: Cal Poly students measured by Healthy Minds Survey (Spring 2013) • 19.25% Treated unfairly because of race, ethnicity, or culture once in awhile over the past year. • Higher than the national averages in binge drinking. • Higher than the national average for use of marijuana in the past 30 days. • 7.45% of Cal Poly students reported having seriously thought about attempting suicide in the past year. • 2.43% made a plan for attempting suicide. • 0.26% attempted suicide in the past year. National Data • Suicide is currently the 10thleading cause of death in the U.S., but 2nd on college campuses. Research indicates that students who utilize campus mental health services are less likely to dropout than students who do not.

5. What is Stress? • An interaction between you & your environment • that is perceived as threatening • Physical responses • Mental responses • Emotional responses • *Coping Behaviors: Can either be effective or ineffective* • (Fight, Flight, or Freeze)

6. Stress Triggers • Lack of sleep • Time Pressures • Procrastination • Change • Lack of exercise • Too much caffeine • Inability to set limits: having a hard time saying no

7. Warning Signs • Increased or problematic use of alcohol or drugs • Acting anxious, hopeless, agitated, or behaving recklessly • Sleeping too little or too much • Withdrawing or feeling isolated • Displaying extreme mood swings • Poor hygiene • Talking about wanting to die • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose • Talking about feeling overwhelmed • Talking about being a burden to others

8. What We Wish Every Student Knew:How to Ask For Help We want students to succeed! But the stigma of seeking counseling keeps some students from seeking help: • Fears about stigma related to mental illness and subsequent discrimination (parents, faculty, peers). • Lack of understanding of mental health concerns. • Successful students frequently conceal and don’t address their mental health problems. • Fears about breaches of confidentiality related to self-disclosure: • Fears of disciplinary action. • Concern that health records may become part of academic record.

9. Peer to Peer Support Activities PULSE: REAL Team (Reach-out, Empower, Accept, Listen)

10. Online Resources • Health & Counseling Website • Online Screenings for anxiety, depression, alcohol, eating disorders • Facebook Page • Student Health 101

11. Cal Poly Counseling Services Monday: 8AM-6:30PM Tuesday: 8AM – 4:30PM Wednesday: 9AM – 6:30PM Thursday: 8AM – 4:30PM Friday: 8AM – 4:30PM counseling.calpoly.edu (805) 756-2511 Individual Counseling, Groups, and more!