For returning students, we’re back with our monthly emails from our experts at the Carruth Center to connect with you and focus on mental health.
For new students — welcome! You’ll see this email monthly from our Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. Your well-being is the most important thing here at WVU, and we hope these emails will meet you where you are in your life or semester. This is part of our commitment at WVU to keep you safe, share our resources and show you that you are loved and valued.
We want this email series to be useful to you, so if there’s something you want to learn more about, please email Carruth’s Assistant Director of Outreach, Sara DiSimone, at sara.disimone@mail.wvu.edu .
5 TIPS FOR MAKING THIS SPOOKY SEASON A LITTLE LESS SCARY!
Planning to party this fall? Here are a few tips for keeping yourself and your friends safe this spooky season!
- Hydrate and fuel your body.
- Be aware of your surroundings and follow WELLWVU’s Party Smart Tips.
- Use the buddy system. Whatever your plans, go with people you know and stay with the group.
- Know your limits. If you choose to celebrate with alcohol, here are some tips to
be safer.
- Avoid drinking games.
- Stick with one type of alcohol.
- Eat food before and during drinking.
- Set a limit for drinks and keep track.
- Have a plan!
Looking for additional tips and resources? Check out WELLWVU — they deliver comprehensive wellness education to all WVU students through engaging programs, services and educational resources.
It’s important to remember that not every WVU student drinks and engages in high-risk behavior. If you are looking for other students like you and/or recovery and wellness-oriented programming, check out Collegiate Recovery, which hosts weekly activities and special events. You do not need to be in recovery to attend certain programs and events.
ARE YOU A STUDENT-ATHLETE?
It’s WVU Athletics Mental Health Awareness Week October 7 – October 12! Student-athletes will have a special opportunity to prioritize their mental wellness throughout the week with programs that educate and promote mental wellness. Representatives from The Carruth satellite office in athletics and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will provide information about available programs.
ARE YOU ON THE HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS?
Did you know Carruth has a satellite office on the HSC Campus called BeWell?
At HSC, we know we have so many aspiring helpers! We have future dentists, doctors, nurses, physician assistants, public health experts, pharmacists, healthcare researchers and scientists — and the list keeps going! Each of you is pursuing a degree that will directly impact others’ lives.
The helping professions are so critical; however, helpers are at greater risk of burnout and mental health struggles. The first step is sometimes the hardest.
SEEKING HELP AS A HELPER
According to Indeed, “helping professions” are jobs with duties that primarily involve direct outreach to individuals to improve their quality of life. These careers address the issues and promote growth in an individual's well-being.
Even though you’re a helper, there are resources available to help you.
First, take a free, short, and anonymous mental health screening.
Second, you can schedule a free and confidential appointment with us.
Last, remember that helpers can be proactive with their mental health. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) has tons of self-care resources for helping professionals. If you are completing rotations or are in clinic, consider taking their screener to see where you land in terms of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and burnout.
WE WANT TO REMIND YOU — ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT
Don’t wait to reach out to someone for help. If you’re struggling and need someone to talk with, the Carruth Center is here to support you.
You can schedule a time to talk with a therapist. There are multiple ways students can talk with a counselor, including:
- Schedule an appointment online or by calling 304-293-4431.
- Use Talkspace, a free online therapy service that connects users to a dedicated therapist.
- Stop by one of Carruth’s Let’s Chat events and have a 20-minute conversation with a therapist.
Don’t forget about your support system! Lean on family and friends who can help you work through some of the items on your plate so you’re able to balance work and your personal life.
Our Carruth Center also has emergency services available.
- Our Urgent/Crisis Clinic is available for students who are experiencing a psychological emergency or in immediate need of same-day intervention. Availability for same-day, in-person visits are Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- If you find yourself in a mental health emergency, call us 24/7 at 304-293-4431 or dial the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.