CSUSB’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) held their first webinar to take part in National Mental Health Awareness month. The webinar, titled “You're Not Alone: Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health for College Students” was an hour-long discussion tackling mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, that college students face. Mental health is more prominent in students, with more than 40% of students facing depression and 66% of students experiencing overwhelming anxiety. Depression and anxiety are some of the most prominent mental health issues that students experience over the course of their college career. From not knowing exactly where their future … [Read more...] about Webinar hosted to break stigma surrounding mental health
mental health
Ways to practice wellness at home
Self-care routines can be beneficial to have in this time of a pandemic. Since social distancing practices to slow the spread of COVID-19 has left many with uneasiness, wellness practices have become a part of people's routines. There are many ways to take care of your mind and body all while still social distancing at home. Having structure in your day allows you to feel productive and allows you to get what you need to get done. Adding structure in your day can also help relieve feelings of anxiety. "When quarantine first started I was sleeping late and waking up even later, there was no structure in my day," said Bianca Ruvalcaba, a Senior on campus. "I noticed that about two … [Read more...] about Ways to practice wellness at home
Mental health counselor urges the practice of self-care
By Tanya Jansen and Alexis Ramirez Community members are fighting to maintain their self-care rituals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not implementing tactics for self care, especially during quarantine, can lead to higher levels of anxiety and depression and may cause irritability with people in one’s life, according to licensed mental health counselor Karin Brackebusch. During quarantine, certain levels of self-care can be lost, since going out with friends, getting out of the house, running errands, and exercising freedom to go outside are some of what constitutes self-care. There are many different ways in which a person can implement tactics of self-care, according to … [Read more...] about Mental health counselor urges the practice of self-care
Students feel the burnout
As college students, most of us have to deal with the daily stressors of school, work, and life. This can put a strain in our mental, physical, and emotional health as there is usually little to no time for self-care. On top of that, not many people know how to practice self-care. "Sometimes I feel like I don't have a break, even on my days off. I constantly feel burnt out because of work and school," said CSUSB senior, Jailene Paniagua. From attending CSUSB, working on the days she does not attend classes and still trying to maintain healthy relationships with loved ones, Paniagua shares her experience with burnout and how she copes. "When I'm not at school, I'm working. If I'm … [Read more...] about Students feel the burnout
Less stress: coping strategies for success
When was the last time you took a breathing break? Life can quickly become an overwhelming factor. There are proposed coping strategies that assist with everyday stress. For example, taking a two- to three-minute breathing break and listening to peaceful melodies. "One of the first coping skills that we review and teach in therapy is deep breathing," said psychologist Angelica Garita. "Deep breathing is very important and it also has a lot of amazing benefits. Some of the benefits include increased oxygen to your body which helps in healing, reduced carbon dioxide, which has been shown to be a contributor to anxiety, increased self-awareness, increased relaxation, reduced production … [Read more...] about Less stress: coping strategies for success
How to cope with post graduate anxiety
Being in your final year of college is a bittersweet feeling. You have a little bit of "senioritis" and you're just ready for a new experience. However, you wonder how the "real world" will receive you. You ask yourself, "What can I offer? Do I have enough experience? How am I going to get a job right out of school? Am I even ready to be out of school?" These questions are perfectly normal to have, but they can give you so much stress. This feeling can be labeled as post graduate anxiety. There is a bit of guilt that comes with post graduate anxiety because graduation is a time to celebrate your accomplishments, and at every gathering your family members will ask, "So, what are you … [Read more...] about How to cope with post graduate anxiety
Mental Health Awareness Month: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
There is more to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) than just being a neat freak or watching your hands at times. OCD can be a chronic or long-lasting disorder that can have a person enduring fearful thoughts that can lead them to do certain behaviors in their daily life. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, OCD can also be known as a presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both. Having the obsessions or compulsions become a time-consuming daily issue, and the symptoms are not being caused by the physiological effects of a substance or anything medical related. When it comes to looking out for signs and symptoms, they tend to pry into various … [Read more...] about Mental Health Awareness Month: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Ability Awareness Fair
As the doors open and the line piled up from the SMSU event center all the way across to the SMSU food court, people waited in this line to get into the event center for the 4th Annual Ability Awareness Fair. The 4th Annual Ability Awareness Fair was able to happen again with the help of CSUSB Office of Services to Students with Disabilities, Student Veterans Organization, and the Departments of History and English. This fair is important because it is Global Disability Awareness Day. It is a chance to have people became more aware of disabilities and learn about all the resources CSUSB provides to students with disabilities. Scholar poet and disabled advocate guest speaker Eli … [Read more...] about Ability Awareness Fair
Mental Health Awareness Month: Coping with Depression
Feeling worthless, loss of interest and thoughts of death can be just a few indicators of depression in students. When it comes to diagnosing depression essential tool doctors may use is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), there is a certain number of symptoms that have to be met. CSUSB's clinical psychologist, Rachel Keener, shared how depression differs from sadness. "Sadness is a normal emotion, it's an appropriate response when sad things happen in the world. Depression feels like there is no joy in your life. People who are depressed tend to avoid things that used to give them joy because it's no longer giving them that joy," shared … [Read more...] about Mental Health Awareness Month: Coping with Depression
Mental Health Awareness Month: Anxiety Disorders in College Students
Impending doom, rapid breathing, and fear of judgment. While college is known to be a time to discover oneself, it can also be the commencement of disorders. Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the country. 75 percent experience their first symptom by the age of 22 and about 41 percent of college students are affected according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Psychology professor Michael Lewin shared the effects of transitioning from adolescence into adulthood. “Young adulthood is a common age of onset for many anxiety disorders. This has been hypothesized because of psychological demands or stressors of the transition,” said Lewin. There is … [Read more...] about Mental Health Awareness Month: Anxiety Disorders in College Students