Mental Health Support for Students: Strategies and Resources
Students face numerous stressors, such as examinations and personal challenges, which can have profound health impacts if not effectively managed. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), stress can affect various body systems, including the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
The APA advises strategies like adequate sleep, regular exercise, and robust social networks to mitigate stress. For students who find it challenging to adopt these strategies, the UCI Counseling Center offers support through diverse therapeutic services.
At their initial visit to the Counseling Center, students undergo an assessment to identify their therapeutic needs, guiding them toward either short-term or long-term therapy options. For those requiring long-term support, a referral to external clinics specializing in appropriate counseling methods may be provided. Students with the SHIP health insurance plan receive coverage that eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for off-campus therapy, with application assistance available through the center.
Senior Staff Psychologist Shuka Jahromifar stated, “We also have crisis services available 24/7. If students urgently need someone to talk to outside of business hours, they can call our phone number to connect with a mental health professional.”
Workshops and Additional Support
The Counseling Center hosts weekly mental health workshops that cover various topics. These sessions are free for UCI students and include subjects such as loss and grief, selected based on relevance and student interest, delivered quarterly.
As Jahromifar noted, “We offer [wellness workshops] throughout the year, announcing dates and topics accordingly. Today's session was on loss and grief, reflecting both changing and recurring themes based on demand.”
Led by senior staff psychologists, these one-hour workshops provide an intimate setting conducive to stress management. With a limited number of attendees, workshops are also available via Zoom to increase reach and accessibility for students.
Each session begins with a presentation on the topic, followed by an opportunity for students to share personal insights voluntarily, ensuring a supportive environment. Held in smaller rooms at the UCI Counseling Center, the workshops offer privacy and comfort, creating a space where students can feel at ease.
For more information about workshops and other resources, students are encouraged to visit the UCI Counseling Center’s official website.