Healthy Mind

Mental Health is not something many people talk about, it is not a very discussed subject but it is very important. I recently started hearing and discussing about it, after 18 years. I never realized that I personally was being affected and most of the stress and anxiety was being caused by school. Fortunately, I discovered a great and useful tool that has provided aid during my first year of college.  It has been very useful and I will continue to use this resource throughout my entire four years of college. This resource is called CAPS, which stands for Counseling and Psychological Services. It has been of great help to me, because they help you with adjusting to college and coping with stress, which were the most troublesome factors in my life. At first, I was trying to deal with it on my own, but then I heard about these resources and decided to give it a go, which I do not regret. They provide a lot of support and actually help get through tough times. Adjusting to college and coping with stress are not the only services they provide, there is so much more. Many students are not aware of it and others simply just choose not to reach out, but you’ll be surprised how much better your life will be after seeking for help when you need it.  It is also confidential so you don’t have to worry about someone else knowing all of your business. I can tell you from experience that you’ll feel more relieved after opening up to someone, that way you don’t carry everything. I greatly recommend this resource, I know I will continue to keep reaching out to them and the services they provide.

We're all in this together

Health above all

            College life can be a drastic change in your life. You might take it in as a good thing or possibly as a bad thing, only time will tell. During these past few months, I began to see the effects of attending college. I started to feel lonely, helpless and hopeless. This only made me wonder what others felt. Are they feeling the same as I or are they possibly in a worse situation?

    Like I said before, college can be a drastic change in your life. It can completely change you as I for one have been seeing that with my long-time friends, including me. Friends who I’ve known for a long time, even my new friends, have changed so much since the start of this semester. They have begun doing things that are questionable, such as skipping class, doing drugs, as they say, that they’re “living life”. I won’t say it’s a bad thing, but rather a choice. They are living their own lives, so I let them be because the goal is to maintain our mental health above all, which is one thing I lacked.

    My first semester was not that stressful, but I’m not saying it will be the same for you. If it is, then it can take a toll on your mental health. College is a stressful time as you try to keep up with your grades, your job, your relationships, and your health or whatever it is, it is a lot of work. You’re not alone. CSULA provides a bunch of resources that can drastically help you for the better, such as tutoring, jobs, couple counseling, and much more that you can seek. The one resource that I believe will help you as a freshman is counseling and psychological services, or CAPS because you’ll never know what will happen during your time in college. Believe me, counseling can help you. I personally haven’t gone, but I have been hearing countless stories where my friends tell me how much it helped them. This made realize how helpful CAPS can be and helpful it can be for you. Don’t be discouraged to go! Like I said before, your mental health comes before anything else. Now to wrap this into a complete package, I recommend you to go to the massage therapy because you deserve it and you should treat yourself.

    Your time here at CSULA will be a life-changing experience, and you’ll learn many new things here like I did. You might see dramatic changes in your life, but in the end, it will be a good thing. If anything, there are resources available that are there to help you for the better. Don’t let them go to waste! Enjoy the ride, and good luck!  

You aren't alone

Mental Health Can Hit Anyone

Not to brag but, I was Valedictorian, captain of the Mock Trial Team, and a very happy person in high school. Or this is how it seemed to most people. I was the “perfect” student, “perfect” child, and “perfect” old sister and friend. However, I was suffering from an invisible disease. I was constantly self-conscious and barely able to wake up most mornings. I had MDD or major depressive disorder. Over 16 million adults suffer from depression at some point in their life according to the World Health Organization. So even If you are suffering, or think you are, you aren’t alone. And the university wants to help.

It may be hard for you to speak out or ask for help, but it’s a step we should all try and take before things seem to reach that breaking point, because that typically means suicide attempts. The university has counseling services, but from other people’s accounts it’s not all that great. I did however have a few accounts with the housing staff psychologist Demontea.  On the other hand, they do have peer groups on many different topics. Including relationships, and school stress. These are probably better suited for people who aren’t familiar with therapy. Being in a group setting also helps to reinforce that you aren’t alone. Who knows maybe you’ll even make a new friend!

Be aware of mental health issues in college students

College students having mental health issues is very real. It is a matter of great importance that should not be shunned instead properly discussed. Bring awareness can prevent devastating outcomes and can provide help. Taking care of yourself physically is just as important as taking care of yourself mentally. Mental wellness is essential not only in college but also in life.

There is many resources on and off campus that are intended to deal with mental health problems. I myself struggled with a problem at a very young age. My battle with my weight is endless but I have learned to cope with it. Through therapy I overcame my anxiety and image situation.

I understand that it may be difficult for teenages to admit they have a problem but there is no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed for needing help. Seeking professional help does not mean that you are crazy it means that you need assistance managing relief or healing a disorder. Being a young individual does not mean you have to face things on your own and admitting you need help is brave.

When I began to take therapy sessions I was only 12 years old I was overwhelmed with the idea of middle school and fitting in that I lost sight of what was really important. Soon after I started being consumed with the thought of being apart of an inner circle instead of my education. Which lead to my downfall I started adopting offal eating habits that had consequences, I lost so much weight and gained anxiety as a result. I slowly began to feel unsatisfied with my body and myself and the attention that I received made it worse. My peers noticed and constantly commented on my figure I know they meant it as compliments but it made me feel uncomfortable. I couldn't deal, I no longer wanted to be in an inner circle I just wanted to get better physically in order to be even stronger mentally. I took action and made one of the best decisions in my life of seeking help. Without professional help I do not think I would have overcame my anxiety problem. I learned many valuable things that I still live by to this day. When I feel overwhelmed I tend to count to ten, take deep breaths and go to my happy place.  

I recommend anyone that is in a stressful situation to seek help. Take advantage of the resources on campus that are free to students. The student health center offers counseling and physically services which is one of the many resources that this department offers. What CAPS wishes to provide is confidential and non-judgemental help involving personal growth and psychological wellness. CAPS specializes in mental health services, which can help one express thoughts and feelings, gain perspective, alleviate emotional symptoms, improve coping skills, and make healthy changes in your life. The available services include brief assessment,workshops,group counseling,individual psychotherapy,triage,couples counseling,consultation and training. The school knows that the first step of success is having great mental health and only wish to satisfy your needs. So don't be afraid to treat yourself even if you try it and it's not for you, you don't lose a thing just gain an experience.

Mental Health Exists

Let’s be honest Mental Health/Illness is an issue that most students don’t know enough about. Can you blame them? Students are given too much information their first year. Although some resources are shared during our orientation and on our school website, this is not enough. Students are overwhelmed with so much information during orientation that mental health is not even a concern. Some students don’t even know what mental health is. At least I didn’t, until my freshman year when I participated in the town hall. It was an event that I believe is no longer the same as when I participated but basically a group of students from all “Intro to college classes” tried to figure out a way to minimize mental illness or a way to help those with mental illness. It was pretty awesome! It was here when I learned that most students suffer from mental unhealthiness due in part to the culture shock they are exposed to as first year students, among many other reasons.

But what is mental illness? A mental illness is a disorder that can affect one’s mood, one’s thinking, and even one’s behavior, depending on the severity of the disorder. Stress alone can cause mental illnesses such as anxiety, mood swings, and even eating disorders. And stress is the number one issue all students deal with through their college years. Fortunately, Cal State LA provides plenty of resources to help combat stress and turn mental unhealthiness into mental wellness. Although they have many resources, the one that helps me the most is the reflection room. Many people don’t know about it but, this room is located on the 3^rd floor of the Student Union. This a quiet place, where no conversations or the use of electronics is allowed. It’s a safe space to escape from our busy lives and just sit down and breathe and meditate. If you’re ever feeling down, anxious, or just overwhelmed with life, this is the place to go. Don’t let stress or mental unhealthiness be the reason you don’t succeed in college, instead use the resources available to you and make the best of your college experience!

In It to Win It

As a first-generation college student, I’m filled with pride and fear. I’m scared of failure, but I’ve gradually come to accept that I can learn from it, and you can, too. I know that responsibilities can exhaust us, college students. We must juggle problems, grades, relationships, money, and chores. But believe me when I tell you that we are not alone. There are so many opportunities and school resources waiting on us to simply ask for help, so go for it!

            I know that we encounter stress; it’s part of us being human. It’s likely that if you are currently experiencing it, then you might also in the future. This is why it’s so important for you to make a proactive plan to deal with it constructively. It can stabilize your mental health and prevent stress from contributing to serious health problems like depression.

Stress is something we’ve all dealt with, and it can inevitably take a toll on our body, mood, and behavior. In other words, don’t take it for granted! Through this academic journey, you and I are bound to undergo challenging courses that cause us stress, but remember, don’t let this intimidate you.

            If you’re currently struggling to cope with stress from sleep deprivation, poor academic performance, or not meeting expectations, then I recommend you consult with a professional from CSULA’s Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, located in the Student Health Center. They can help you with your situation and get you back on track!

With their guidance, you can receive the needed resources and learn important skills to help manage your stress, which can benefit you in the long run. I’ve visited the Student Health Center with my friends, and I can assure you it’s a welcoming and comfortable place to be in.

From experience, I suggest that you begin developing useful work habits now, including better time management and coping skills. Consider signing up for free group therapy sessions and workshops provided by CAPS as soon as you feel overwhelmed. It will be a great, first-time opportunity to experience one-on-one counseling. Any service endorsed by CAPS will take you a step closer towards stability. The counselors are confidential and understanding.

If you’re already considering visiting this free campus resource, take note of their time and date availabilities, and schedule an appointment ahead of time, perhaps two to five weeks in advance. Even if you aren’t stressed at the moment, it will help to receive positive feedback, so that you can recover from future failure and make healthy changes to address your anxiety.

Simply speaking about the struggles in my life has allowed me to vent my concerns and view them from a new perspective. We, college students, can be emotionally equipped by being taught how to recover from difficult situations. We can learn to confront multiple challenges with the aid of a tolerant and adapting mindset that doesn’t surrender to emotion. This is absolutely possible!

The Student Health Center’s counseling services can give you crucial tips, so that you can achieve this ideal mentality and be better prepared in handling various emotional problems at once. Consider exercising as well. This way, your happiness and confidence can resist academic and financial stress, while still having the strength to keep striving towards what you want.

Through my English course, I’ve learned that finding ways to manage stress is significant to our personal development, and utilizing CAPS’ resources is a great solution. Keep in mind that setbacks are okay. We can always redeem ourselves, right? Don’t let stress hinder you from reaching your full potential. Attend as many counseling sessions necessary for you to withstand anxiety. You are not alone. You and I are both in to win it!

You Can Do It

November 28, 2017

Dear Freshman,


     Transitioning into college is stressful and may present you with obstacles. I moved here all the way from Raleigh, North Carolina, leaving my family, friends and everything I have ever known behind – I had no idea what I was getting myself into. That being said, the transition was especially hard for me, and it’s not like I could go home at the end of the day or week to get away from it all, and to say that I did not feel overwhelmed or stressed at any point in time would be a lie. I am not here to sugar coat it or make it seem like a breeze, because it is not. Although I personally do not find that college has been overly demanding or exhausting, that is not to say that it does not require you to put in work, work that you may not be accustomed to doing. Plus, experiences vary from person to person.
     However, if I am being honest, I have had major assignments due in several of my classes all at the same time and I don’t know about you, and I easily become stressed and overwhelmed, so this does not help. I will say that now I realize that it is imperative that you not let this overwhelm you to a point in which you can no longer function, as I have occasionally done. This does not mean that you should not care or that you should procrastinate and avoid completing assignments. In fact, do not forget what it is that you are here for – an education. Make sure you work hard, do your best and apply yourself appropriately. Furthermore do not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and expand your horizons in order to promote your own success; remember if you ever need help there are copious amounts of resources available to you as a student, including the writing center, math tutoring and CAPS – please take advantage of them, you will not regret it.


With Love,

Alyssa Gradwell

Welcome!

This is the blog to share advice and ideas for improving mental health and wellness for first year students written by first year students--thank you for being here!
Jenny Hicks