|
|
If you’ve felt lonely, unmotivated, low energy, sad or any combination of these this past year, that means you are *drumroll plz* completely normal. Everyone is struggling. And we’re proud of you for getting up every day and doing your best. Even with vaccines and Ole Miss going back to in-person in the Fall, mental health doesn’t always take a direct path. But no matter how you feel, there’s always someone at Ole Miss who can help you through it.
| |
Things you can do right now to feel a little better
| |
- Put down your phone. We love it, but it doesn’t love us.
- Move your body. Even a short walk or a few jumping jacks can shift your perspective!
- Get out in nature – it really helps.
- Reach out to a friend or family member. Social connection can give you a major boost.
- Take deep breaths. This tells your brain it’s ok to relax.
- Do something that makes you happy.
- Take a break from the news, drink water and get some sleep.
| |
5 signs that feeling bad might be more than just stress
| |
Recognizing the warning signs of mental health issues can let you ask for help or get someone else help. More resources for coping with these issues are in this email.
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Anxiety or other symptoms that interfere with day-to-day life
- Lasting changes in appetite
- Ongoing sleep problems
- Harmful coping such as alcohol or drug abuse, overspending, high risk sexual activity, isolation, etc.
| |
There’s no shame talking to a professional! A therapist will collaborate with you, jointly solve problems and be a supportive ear. Here are some signs that meeting with someone could help:
- Uncontrollable sadness, anger, hopelessness or just feeling “not yourself”
- Using drugs, alcohol, food or sex to cope, and feeling unable to control that behavior
- Something traumatic has happened or you’ve experienced loss
- You can't do your normal things because of painful emotions or experiences
UM therapy resources
| |
People with mental illness are weak.
| |
Factors outside of our control can contribute to mental health. It takes courage to work through it and accept help.
| |
People with mental illness are making it up or looking for attention.
| |
Most people would rather not struggle with mental health if they had the choice. It’s possible for two people to respond completely differently to the same experience.
| |
People with mental illness should just get over it.
| |
Mental illness doesn’t just go away if it’s ignored. Addressing it is important.
| |
Mental illness is impossible to recover from.
| |
Mental illness can be managed well, and treatment often leads to resolution.
| |
| How to show up for someone who’s struggling
| |
Just being there for friends who are having a hard time can help more than you might think.
- Be willing to actively listen and then validate their feelings.
- Don’t force them to open up if they aren’t ready.
- Tell them you support them and remind them about what you like about them.
- Ask how they’d like you to support them.
- Tell them about resources around campus and encourage them to get professional help if they need it (see the resources in this email).
*If you’re really concerned about someone, you can fill out a CARE report to get them help. You aren’t “telling on them,” you’re helping them get connected to support.
| |
| When talking might not be enough
| |
Coping looks different for everyone. Sometimes mental health issues can come in the form of harmful behavior. Students who are struggling with substance abuse, sexual wellness or mental and physical health are invited to reach out to the William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education for a personal wellness consultation. A Magee Center staff member can talk through solutions for substance safety, academic and relationship concerns, or sexual, mental and physical wellness.
| |
UMatter: if you need anything at all for yourself or a friend, but have no idea where to start, start with UMatter. They can help with confidential advocacy, bias incidents, food insecurity, mental health, academic struggles and more.
| |
| Group therapy: free, confidential groups based on needs and interests for all students to feel understood, supported and encouraged, with up to 10 peers at a time and a staff member.
| |
| Campus Recreation: make your body and your brain happy at the award-winning South Campus Recreation Center with group fitness classes, intramural sports, the South Campus Rail Trail, swimming, basketball, bouldering and more.
| |
| UM SAFE: support for students involved in sexual discrimination, misconduct or violence incidents.
| |
| Student Health provides mental health evaluations, consultation and treatment for mental health concerns, eating disorders and substance abuse. It also posts helpful health reminders on its Instagram.
| |
| Graduate students: work-life balance, family responsibilities, finances and rigorous academics can add to anxiety and stress. Check out this Wellness Challenge from the UM Law School and the graduate student support group for help creating a more balanced, productive lifestyle.
| |
| What can you do to impact mental health support at Ole Miss?
| |
| - UM and the mental health support program JED Campus sent about half the student body an anonymous, randomized Healthy Minds Survey about mental health support. Check your email for an invitation from healthyminds-OleMiss@umich.edu and take the survey to make your voice heard.
- Sign up to be a Wellness Ambassador with the William Magee Center.
- Suggest something! Tell your CA, your advisor or the Division of Student Affairs about a program you want to see. Or send your idea to The Powder Blue here and we’ll get it to someone who can help.
| |
Chancellor Boyce sent a message last week about plans for the Fall 2021 semester. Governor Reeves issued Executive Order 1549 this week updating the mask-wearing requirements and business operations, and UM sent its updated COVID policies in regard to EO 1549. Friendly reminder to not assume we know why someone chooses to wear a mask in a given situation. Could be for lots of reasons, so let them do them!
🔴 SPORTS 🔵 Starting this weekend, Swayze will start a phased approach up to full capacity. Student tickets are doubling and face masks are required when moving in and around the stadium, but not at your seat. Soccer, softball and other sports event capacities are also expected to increase over the next few weeks. More info at olemissgameday.com
March 8: Course withdrawal deadline and midterm grade deadline
Starting today, Safe Ride's updated hours for the semester are Thursday-Saturday, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. The shuttle picks up downtown in front of the Federal Building (911 Jackson Avenue East) and loops around campus. See the route here. Take the Ole Miss vaccine interest survey about your interest in getting the vaccine when it comes to campus and help UM prepare for on-campus vaccination. UM will let students know when they can get vaccinated on campus.
| |
| Normalize conversations about mental health! Share something that makes you happy on your Instagram story and tag @olemissstudentservices and #rebscare for a chance to win this game-worn football jersey!
| |
| See past issues and subscribe to The Powder Blue here.
| |
|
| Student contributors to The Powder Blue: Maddie Scales and Maren Martfeld
| |
|
|
|
|
