College can be a difficult and stressful experience. Here’s an overview of resources for UNC students to help them prioritize their mental health and wellbeing in college.
Counseling and psychology services
UNC Counseling and Psychology Services, or CAPS, offers free mental health resources for students.
Avery Cook, the acting director of CAPS, said he wants students to know how mental health resources are available to students at all times.
“We have 24/7 CAPS availability, which means that if a student calls CAPS anytime – day, night, weekend, holiday, whatever – they can speak to a therapist on- right away,” Cook said. “So at three in the morning on a Tuesday, if anyone is feeling anxious or homesick or worried about adjusting, they can call our number and get one immediately.”
CAPS is available by phone 24/7 at (919) 966-3658. Cook added that CAPS has appointment times from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with no time limit — as long as you line up before 4 p.m., you’ll be seen that day.
“We always want students to know that they always have access to support and whatever else they may have to deal with,” Cook said. “We’ll help them connect with whatever would be helpful and kind of get them back on track.”
Elizabeth Christensen is a psychologist at CAPS, specializing in individual and group therapy, and coordinator of the CAPS Group Therapy Program.
She said they usually run about 20 to 25 different groups per semester, ranging from support groups, bereavement groups, etc.
“A lot of freshmen come on campus and look around and say, ‘Oh my God, all these high achievers, they’ve got it all figured out, they know what they’re doing,'” he said. she declared. “When, in reality, they might be struggling underneath.
If CAPS counselors feel that a student would benefit from more regular, long-term treatment, there are in-house referral coordinators who will give students the names of mental health providers in the community and help them resolve any issues. insurance and transport.
CAPS services also include a multicultural health program, academic interventions, and medication management.
More information about CAPS can be found on its website.
Heel Care Network
In February, UNC launched the Heels Care Network, which includes a variety of mental health and support resources for students and the community.
The initiative was the product of feedback from a mental health summit the University held in November.
One of the features of Heels Care Network is a 24/7 “Listen, Support, Browse” live chat room where students can chat anonymously with another student about something that is bothering them. or on which they might need advice.
Gabriella Montes, a rising sophomore at UNC, had some advice for incoming first years.
“I think the best thing is that when freshmen first come to campus, they should really try to get out of their comfort zone because getting into college in your freshman year can to seem a bit lonely and isolating, and also overwhelming, because there are so many people there,” Montes said.
Montes also said keeping in touch with old friends and family is helpful for not isolating yourself, but remember not to hold yourself back when meeting new people.
“Surround yourself with people who make you feel 100% you and people who feel like your home away from home,” Montes said.
Additional Resources and Initiatives
In recent semesters, the University has introduced wellness days into the academic calendar to give students extra breaks to rest and recharge.
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz told the Daily Tar Heel that future academic calendars may retain a few feel-good days.
There are also resources such as the Community Psychology and Neuroscience Clinic, the UNC Community Mental Health Center of Excellence, and the student organization Peer2Peer that offer support.
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