Have you been struggling this year with your mental health?

Has your first semester of college been rough?

Are you struggling with your mental health?

College can be rough, especially your first semester! You're entering a whole new environment, oftentimes without family or well known friends to support you in person, which can be really rough.

Fortunately, here at UCCS, there are resources the university offers that are made specifically to help those going through these kinds of issues!

The first step to improving your mental health is

IDENTIFYING YOUR          STRESSORS

Whilst this may seem like a given, the truth is that many people forgo this step entirely in search of immediately trying to improve themselves—and while this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it does mean that many end up blindly searching for solutions that may not fit their exact situation, which can discourage them from trying to get help.

Stress can be divided into two major types!

° Physical, which might present itself in the form of headaches or other aches and pains, or you might notice an increase in your heart rate. Other common signs include getting sick more often than usual, or noticing tension throughout your entire body.

° Mental, which often presents itself in the form of memory problems, an inability to concentrate, or anxiety.

° Behavioural, which is indicated by a change in your typical habits, such as food intake (eating more/less than usual), sleep patterns, isolating yourself from others or avoiding your typical responsibilities.

° And emotional, which can include an increase in agitation or moodiness, and increased mood swings.

Mental stress can also be divided into two sub-types.

If you’re noticing mental stress, you may benefit from practicing mindfulness to help you tune into your good-feeling thoughts and emotions. If your stress is physical, you may benefit from calming strategies like a body scan or box breathing. 

If you’re feeling too stressed to try any of these techniques — that’s OK too. Seeking support from a trusted friend, family member or medical professional is often the best place to start.