To All Members of The Campus Community,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Sacramento State is a campus where we talk openly about mental health to support our campus community to destigmatize mental health, educate ourselves and others on mental health topics, and be conscious of the words we use when talking about mental health. At Sac State, we recognize mental health and wellness looks different in each community and culture and we support healing of all kinds. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis and in need of someone to talk to, please know help is available. You are not alone!
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed since 1949 to raise awareness of mental health and the importance of mental health care. We can reduce the stigma around mental health conditions, mental illness, and treatment and services through increased awareness.
This May, we hope you will take a moment to check in on your mental health language knowledge. When talking about mental health, use the following tips to help support the conversation:
- Using person-first language when talking about mental health and mental health conditions. A person’s life is more than their mental disorders, or mental health conditions.
- Using descriptive, not prescriptive language.
- Eliminating stigmatizing words and labels, for example, “crazy”, “paranoid”, and “psycho”.
- Eliminating the use of mental health terms to talk about everyday behaviors, for example, “The weather is so bipolar”, or “I’m so OCD”.
- Using the term “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide”.
- When someone is experiencing a crisis, it can feel challenging to know how to offer support. Active listening and offering time to understand a person’s situation and help them know they are heard can be a good start. Check out Active Minds VAR to learn more ways to support someone through everyday conversations.
May is Mental Health Month Events
- Healthy Minds Talk with Sac State Active Minds Club, May 2nd, 4 - 5pm at APIDA Center
- Join fellow students for pizza and a peer-led conversation about Mental health in APIDA communities at Sac State.
- Stress-Less Puppies on Campus, May 3rd from 12 - 3pm at Summer WELL Kick-Off, in front of The WELL - learn more about wellness and mental health services available over the summer!
- AFSP Talk Saves Lives Virtual Event - May 4th, at 9am, 12pm, or 6pm.
Talk Saves Lives is an introduction to suicide prevention community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe. Register for ASFP Talk Saves Lives.
- Better You Wellness App Meditation Challenge
- A community-wide Meditation Challenge will be launching in the Better You app from May 8th to May 19th. Just set a meditation location goal to visit your place of zen, whether that is a park outside or a quiet space away from distractions, and you’ll be automatically entered into the meditation challenge! You should receive an email from BetterYou about how to participate once join the app. Make sure to pop into the app over the course of the challenge to see your personal progress as well as our community’s progress. Those who have improved the most will be entered to win gift cards from a retailer of your choice! Haven’t signed up yet? You can download the app on your mobile device. We’re excited to kick things off on May 8th! Namaste.
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Campus Resources
Student Health and Counseling Services
- Offers confidential individual and group counseling. If you would like to explore whether counseling is right for you, the first step is to call during business hours at 916-278-6461 for up-to-date appointment availability. Counseling services are available over the summer for students.
- Urgent Care Counseling is available for Sac State students on the 1st floor of The WELL for those who are in an immediate crisis. No appointment is needed. Please visit the SHCS Website for current hours. If you need support after hours, contact the 24/7 nurse advice line at 916-278-6461.
- Group Counseling is a confidential service provided to Sac State students in a variety of mental health topic areas. Decades of research have found that group therapy is just as effective as individual therapy, and people feel better faster in group therapy. Being in a group helps you feel less alone and isolated, and students benefit from mutual support and learning with others who share similar concerns. For more information or to express interest visit bit.ly/SHCSGroupCounseling.
- Peer Counseling is an additional resource support for students to promote the safety and well-being of our Hornets. Peer Counselors are current Sac State students trained to be supportive, helpful listeners who offer non-judgmental and confidential space to discuss concerns. Peer Counselors are stationed at Equity and Affinity Centers and Diversity Inclusion Centers, to support students in a peer setting. Visit the Peer Counseling website to make an appointment. The last day for Peer Counseling appointments for Spring is May 12th.
- Crisis Assistance & Resource Education Support (CARES) provides support to students who are in crisis or experiencing unique challenges to their education. CARES helps to support and address various issues including transportation, housing, food, and physical, and mental wellness barriers. CARES provides drop-in support and virtual assistance at Student Health & Counseling Services. Visit the CARES website to learn more.
- The Art of Helping Students in Distress Workshop is a training for faculty, staff, and student employees on how to support and assist students experiencing heightened emotional distress. Sign up to attend the workshop or contact cathy.rojas@csus.edu for more information.
- WEAVE Campus Confidential Advocate offers confidential support, resources, information, reporting options, advocacy and accompaniment, and WEAVE counseling and connections to campus resources for those who have or are experiencing intimate partner violence, sexual violence, stalking, or human trafficking. Support is available at Student Health & Counseling Services or by calling 916-920-2952.
Employee Assistance Program
Confidential services provide professional assistance to employees and their families (dependents and permanent household members) in assessing and resolving personal problems that may be affecting their well-being or job performance. Free, confidential services are provided externally through LifeMatters by Empathia. Additional information and contact support is provided at Employee Assistance Program Website.
Empathia Employee Wellness Workshops
Learning and Development are pleased to partner with Empathia/LifeMatters to offer employees virtual, counselor-led workshops in May to support employee mental health and wellness.
- Personal Resilience Workshop – May 9th, 10 - 11am
One factor influencing our stress level is how well we manage our energy. The concept of energy management is based on a new way of looking at self-discipline. It challenges the widely held view that time management is the key to work/life balance. Content includes paradigm shift, energy management principles, engaged vs. stressed vs. disengaged, and developing positive energy rituals. Register for Personal Resilience Workshop. - Emotional Intelligence Workshop – May 16th, 10 - 11am
Understanding EI may offer many benefits to becoming a stronger leader. Content includes the role of EI in relationships, using EI in the workplace, growing your EI, and addressing your challenges. Register for the Emotional Intelligence Workshop.
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