Don’t forget to take care of your mental health!
For many students, transitioning to college and adjusting to a new environment can be stressful. It can be overwhelming to manage coursework, relationships with friends and family, and life outside of school, as well as to be on your own for the first time. Taking care of your mental health is extremely important but is often neglected when you are busy. There are services, resources, and support available.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, depressed, or are having thoughts of suicide:
- If you are in crisis, call 911 or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
- Text ‘Got5U’ to 741-741 for 24/7 texting support with a trained counselor about suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship problems, or domestic violence.
- The Trevor Project provides culturally competent services to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community. Call 866-488-7386 or text ‘Trevor’ to 1-202-304-1200.
- Contact your local campus counseling and/or health center to speak with a mental health professional.
The following is a list of things you can do to improve your mental health:
- Seek help by reaching out to any of the services mentioned above.
- Call a friend or family member that you are comfortable with.
- Get sunshine and exercise!
- Keep a journal. This can help cope with what’s on your mind.
- Sleep. It is recommended to get around 8 hours of sleep a night.
- Eat properly with a well-balanced diet.
- Keep doing what you enjoy.