Mental Well-being

If your friend is making suicidal comments, seek help immediately. Is this a good way to lend support?

Yes

Recognizing when help is needed is the first step, but finding the help you need could be a barrier. Where can you go on campus?

Campus counseling or health center.

Half way into the semester, Mia went to her advisor's office to drop some of her classes. She wasn't sure how she was going to make it through the rest of the semester and didn't know why she had thought going away to college was a good idea. What is the sign in this story that Mia needs support?

Experiencing changes in personality.

Xavier is a good student, had lots of friends in high school, and looked forward to beginning college out of state. While he thought the college experience would be fun, it was different than what he expected. He enjoyed his classes but missed his family and didn't meet a lot of people he was comfortable hanging out with. Weeks into the semester, Xavier continued feeling really down that he hadn't made any close friends. What is the sign that Xavier needs support?

Feeling sad or detached for more than two weeks

When Bernard refused Caleb's invite to go out for pizza, he expressed concern for Bernard's well-being. Caleb then opened up and talked about his own struggles while validating Bernard. These are all great steps that led Bernard to seek help himself. How did Caleb do?

He did well

In class, Xavier rarely participated in activities or discussions. He struggled to concentrate on his assignments, which caused him to feel unprepared. When his grades started to slip, he knew it wasn't what he wanted, but he didn't have the motivation to study more or talk to his professors. What is the sign in this story that Xavier needs support?

Lacking the ability to focus or concentrate.

Mia couldn't wait to go away to school in the fall. Due to several factors that were beyond her control, Mia had a tough senior year of high school, and struggled with her mental health. After working with a therapist, Mia felt ready to start fresh. Once she arrived at college, her school year started off well. But as the semester progressed, Mia began to feel overwhelmed. She couldn't stop thinking about her experience the year before and started skipping meals because she often had no appetite. What is the sign that Mia needs support?

Loss of appetite, refusing to eat or intentionally throwing up

The first time he went out with some floormates, he had a few beers because he thought it would help him feel less out of place. After a while, he started drinking by himself in his room before he met up with anyone, and blacked out a few times. What is the sign in this story that Xavier needs support?

Misusing alcohol or other drugs

"You should really start exercising more. It will make you feel so much better!" Is this a good way to lend support?

No

If your friend denies having a problem, push the conversation until they admit to needing help. Is this a good way to lend support?

No

How did Alex do in this conversation with Kelsey? Alex: "Hey!" Kelsey: "Hey!" Alex: "Do you want to grab dinner later?" Kelsey: "I can't. I have this thing. I'm super busy right now." Alex: "OK. How about breakfast tomorrow?" Kelsey: "I don't usually eat breakfast." Alex: "I don't want to make things awkward, but It seems kind of like you're avoiding eating. Is anything going on?" Kelsey: "No. I honestly don't know what you're trying to say here." Alex: "I just haven't seen you in the dining hall at all recently." Kelsey: "Yeah, 'cause I'm super busy. I have work, homework, school, gosh — I just don't have the time to sit at the dining hall all day and socialize. I'm busy."

She could do better

Mia constantly felt tired, but she couldn't get a full night's sleep. She tossed and turned every night, often lying awake and thinking about the previous year. As this continued, she started dozing off in class and skipping out on time with her new friends to try and nap alone in her room. What is the sign in this story that Mia needs support?

Sleep issues (like being unable to sleep, or sleeping excessively or erratically).

You can improve your mental well-being by reflecting on how you speak to yourself—do you speak to yourself the way that you would speak to a friend? Or are you often your own worst critic? Self-talk and self-compassion are critical skills to maintain your mental well-being. True or False: There are effective treatments for mental health issues available.

True

"Hey, I've noticed that you seem off for the past couple days. Is everything alright?" Is this a good way to lend support?

Yes

Seek out others who can help you to help your friend. Is this a good way to lend support?

Yes

Share some insight, personal or otherwise, on what you know about mental health challenges. Is this a good way to lend support?

Yes

When a person is thinking about ending their own life it is called suicidal ideation. This should be taken very seriously, and you should seek help immediately. Recall from the scenario, when you mentioned being worried about a grade in one of your classes, Casey said "What's the point? I mean, what does it even matter? I might not even be here by the time we get the grades back." Is this behavior indicative that Casey may be thinking about ending her life?

Yes, and I should reach out to her

What are some effective treatment options available for mental health issues?

self-management techniques: exercise, socializing, going outside, sleep, eating habits and mindfulness