| Spring 2021 | January Issue
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Dear Student,
Welcome to the first issue of the USF Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) newsletter. This monthly e-newsletter will provide updates on what’s up at CAPS and tips and resources for your well-being.
Lots of college students experience mental health struggles. CAPS offers services to USF students to help with sadness, anxiety, loneliness, college adjustment, relationship struggles, identity issues, and other concerns not requiring medication. Read more below and on our website.
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Continuing Services
CAPS offers phone or video consultations to any USF student in need of resources, as well as one-time workshops and workshop series (see below for workshop details) to help address common concerns like sleep, anxiety, and more. We also provide brief individual and couples teletherapy, therapy and support groups, and single-session teletherapy appointments for USF students currently residing in California.
Groups offered in spring are ACT for Anxiety & Depression, Reclaiming Self (for students who grew up in a family impacted by addiction or chronic illness), Trans & Non-Binary Support, Understanding Self & Others, Wise Mind: DBT Skills (skill-building for managing emotions and interpersonal dynamics), and a new eating disorder support group (see below). Read more about these groups and how to sign up on our website.
CAPS' All Hours Line (855) 531–0761 remains available to all USF students in need of support or who are having a mental health crisis. The line is also open to anyone concerned about a USF student who wants to consult with a mental health professional.
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New Eating Disorder Support Group
CAPS is offering a new group, Eating Disorder Support, to provide a safe, confidential virtual support space for students who are in treatment for eating disorders. The group gives members a chance to connect with each other and reinforce healthy coping and wellness practices. It is open to USF students residing in California currently in treatment off campus for an eating disorder. Day and time to be determined—call CAPS for more info about signing up.
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WorkshopsThese workshops are available to all USF students, regardless of location.
- Anxiety Toolbox: A three-part workshop providing info and tools for managing anxiety and stress; first series of the semester will be three Tuesdays from 1–2 p.m.: Feb. 9, 16, and 23 (additional series to be held later in the semester). Sign up online »
- Finding Focus: A collaboration between the Learning Center and CAPS to help you improve your academic focus skills; Tuesday, Feb. 2, 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 4, 4–5 p.m. Call to sign up.
- Mindful Mondays: Mindfulness practices every Monday from 1:30–2 p.m. Sign up online »
- Therapy Unplugged: A supportive space for Black students to connect, discuss issues impacting their mental health and well-being, and build coping and resilience. Call to sign up.
- Wellness Wednesdays: Every Wednesday from 11 a.m.–12 p.m., with topics including sleep, mood, relationships, and COVID-related losses. Sign up online »
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Suicide Prevention Training
CAPS, with Human Resources' GoUSF and Health Promotion Services, offers free trainings on QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper Certification. The mission of QPR is "to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training." Read more on our website. Upcoming QPR dates for undergrad and grad students:
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Wellness CornerGratitude Practice Does You Good
Did you know that having a regular gratitude practice can help you feel less down and anxious? Research shows that because humans are already “programmed” to spend time focusing on problems and worries, they need to balance things out by consciously bringing awareness to what is good.
There are lots of ways to start a gratitude practice. The most important thing is doing it regularly. A few ideas include:
- Journaling about what you feel grateful for every morning instead of reaching for your phone to check social media or news
- Writing down three things you feel good about every night before going to bed
- Setting a reminder on your phone each day to take a minute to notice what is good in your life
- Starting each meal with a moment of silence and gratitude or a silent or verbal prayer of thanks
- Pairing your daily reminder of the good things with something you are going to do anyhow, like brushing your teeth or taking a shower
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| VIDEO: Prioritizing Tasks
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