College mental health

21
COLLEGE Making the Leap Amy Stratton, MFTI

Transcript of College mental health

Page 1: College mental health

COLLEGEMaking the

LeapAmy Stratton, MFTI

Page 2: College mental health

My story

•Grew up in the bay area

•Youngest of three

•I was prepared.-classes -activities-research

Page 3: College mental health

My story

South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College

Page 4: College mental health

My story

Philadelphia, PA * 95% return, national

75%

University of

Pennsylvania

Page 5: College mental health

Why this talk?

Going away from home is a big change, whether it be a few towns over or

across the country.

Prepare

Page 6: College mental health

OUtline

What might be hard?

-homesickness

-academic life

-social life

Page 7: College mental health

OUTLINE

What can you do?

-small changes

-bigger options

Page 8: College mental health

What might be hard?

HOMESICKNESSFamily... Pets

School

Friends Places

Bed N. CA

Page 9: College mental health

Homesickness

•People don’t really talk about it– you won’t be alone

•Don’t know anyone, nothing seems familiar even how to get food

•Figure out what makes YOU feel better -phone/text/email family/friend-leave your dorm room! Anything

•Time Passes and soon NEW norm- winter break

Page 10: College mental health

Academic life

Get that first syllabus...

Freshman freak out

Page 11: College mental health

Academic life

•Everyone seems smarter– reality test

•Office hours. T.A.’s. Tutoring center. free support*

•Remember that you were accepted for a reason.

•Early years explore interests w/o worrying about career or graduate school

* There for reason, pay for it in tuition, college is different

Page 12: College mental health

SOCIAL Life

•Most back and forth early on:-BEST friend (roommate

or someone you meet early on) may be true may not be true

-Not included

•Partying

•Roommate issues

Page 13: College mental health

Social life

•Realistic– roommate is going to annoy you.

•Give it time. Unlikely can be equal to friends from home so quickly. Winter break.

•Choosing friends (remind yourself) -interests -partying -core

being/priorities

•Try new things -clubs (huge number)-sports -free events (speakers, concerts, outings)

Page 14: College mental health

Mental health support

•What if you think some added support would be helpful?

•Most* colleges and universities have FREE mental health support!

•Individual therapy and Group therapy

WHAT IS IT?

Page 15: College mental health

Mental health

Individual therapy “counseling”• You talk with a trained therapist in a safe, caring, and

confidential environment.

• Explore your feelings, beliefs, or behaviors, -identify aspects of your life that you would like to change -better understand yourself and others -set personal goals and work toward desired change

• People seek therapy for a wide variety of reasons but really it’s a place to talk with someone who gets to know you really well– anyone can benefit from therapy– don’t have to have big things going on.

• A client and therapist may work together for five or six sessions or for several years.

Page 16: College mental health

Mental health

What to expect?• Fill out paperwork– Basic info about you. Reason

why you are interested in therapy (adjusting to college, anxiety, feeling down, etc.)

• A form that you sign that you understand that what is said in session is CONFIDENTIAL (from parents, friends, university, etc.).

• Then just get to talk about what you want to talk about. How great is that?

• KEY POINT– relationship with therapist critical. Like your therapist.

Page 17: College mental health

Mental health

Group Therapy•Group therapy is a process in which you meet

in a safe and supportive environment with a small group of people (generally 6 to 10) including a therapist to talk about a particular issue with which all of you are struggling.

•You share your feelings and behaviors, hear different points of view and coping strategies, and receive encouragement from others facing similar issues.

Page 18: College mental health

Mental health

-Anxiety -Mindfulness/ Meditation

-Eating Disorder -Gender/Sexuality

-Drug and Alcohol Abuse -Undergraduate

-Sexual Assault Survivor -Career

-Interpersonal Growth/process group

-Stress and Wellness

Sample Group Titles

Page 19: College mental health

Mental health

•Search: -“Student Health” -“Counseling/psychological services”

•Good resources and articles for self help

Page 20: College mental health

CONclusion

•Be patient.

•Know that you aren’t alone.

•There are many people at your school to support you academically, socially, mentally, and physically.

Page 21: College mental health

CONclusion

Have FUN!

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:Navigating Your Freshman Year: How to Make the Leap to College Life—and Land on Your Feet

*Written by students!