UofR On-Campus Community Returns!
If there is one thing the pandemic has shown us, it is that we all respond to major changes differently. While some people have been eager to get out and about, others may be taking slightly more cautious steps into socialising. Take the time you need to understand what works best for YOU as things start to return to the "normal".
The important thing to remember while you are on campus is that everyone will have different experiences and expectations.
You won't know what someone else is going through so don’t assume that everyone else is fine and you are the only one who is nervous about being back on campus.
This will not happen overnight, so take your time and don’t feel pressured to make changes just because people around you are.
What Is Anxiety?
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) says that anxiety disorders consistently share "persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening." Symptoms related to anxiety can be emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and/or physical, and may prevent you from performing day-to-day activities. Some examples of anxiety symptoms are as follows:
- Emotional: Irritability, feelings of dread, nervousness, restlessness
- Cognitive and Behavioral: Memory problems, trouble making decisions, difficulty concentrating, isolating yourself from others
- Physical: Shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea/diarrhea, sleeplessness, headaches/body aches, high blood pressure
NAMI offers a helpful reminder that "we all experience anxiety" — you may even feel several of these symptoms right now. If you find yourself overwhelmed with what you are experiencing, reach out for support as you make the transition back to campus. You don't have to deal with those uneasy feelings alone.
CONNECT WITH UOFR RESOURCES
The University of Regina provides several mental wellness options that will offer support for your academic performance and success, strengthen social connections and reduce stress.
You don't have to wait until you are on campus to get started — many of these supports can be accessed remotely!
University of Regina Mental Wellness Hub
The Mental Wellness Hub provides supports, training, and resources that promote positive mental health for faculty, staff and students at the University of Regina. The purpose of the Mental Wellness Hub is to provide the campus community with a one stop resource that takes a preventative and proactive approach to mental health content. The overall goal is to reduce the stigma around mental health while increasing literacy, education and training.
Online Therapy Unit
The Online Therapy Unit offers free Online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for a number of mental health concerns. Online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy involves reviewing educational material online with the support of a therapist or a guide. The approach is found to be effective and is a convenient way to receive care. These courses are designed to help people with thoughts, behaviours and physical symptoms of depression and anxiety. The Wellbeing Course for Mental Health and the UniWellbeing Course for post-secondary students have received great feedback.
Student Mental Health
Student Mental Health provides accessible, evidence-based, and inclusive clinical services to our diverse UofR student community. Mental health and well-being is an important component of student success and strive to support the successful adjustment to university through responsive, skills-based and proactive engagement.
The clinicians are registered psychologists with extensive experience in treating a wide variety of concerns. Services are provided in accordance with the principles of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists.
Time Limited Consult (TLC) sessions provide time-responsive and solution-focused support for a current pressing situational stressor or mental health related concern. During the TLC session you will be collaborating with the clinician to develop insight, options, and possible solutions to your current pressing concern. This collaboration may include psychoeducation, therapeutic strategies, skill-developing tools, and recommended resources.
You can request a TLC appointment here.
The University of Regina, in partnership with Crisis Line powered by Kids Help Phone provides a direct link to professional support in an instant. Anyone associated with the University of Regina community can utilize this service, free of cost, by calling 1-800-668-6868 or by texting “UofR” to 686868. Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. They offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young adults in both English and French.
If you or someone you know is looking for someone to talk to, maybe about school, family, work or friends, and you just don’t want to say it out loud, Kids Help Phone’s crisis responders are here for you 24/7.
REACH OUT TO FRIENDS
Who is in your support network? Social supports are often key to easing and taking control of your anxiety.
Almost two-thirds (65%) of university students point to friends as important sources of support.
As you face more campus changes, you may find that some of your friends are experiencing anxiety, too. Connect with your friends to support one another as you prepare to return to campus.
Make Plans
Co-ordinate a time to meet in person the first week of on-campus classes.
Whether it's just to chat, have lunch, or help one another move in, create an event and put it on your calendar.
Create a Group Chat
Set up a group text with roommates, classmates, and others in your social network to coordinate the move back and support one another through the process.
Don’t be afraid to ask for the help you need, and be ready to assist your friends when they ask.
Join Clubs and Organizations
Identify at least one way in which you'll rejoin campus life through social events, leadership opportunities, sports, and other school activities. Connect with coordinators now to find out what's on the schedule and how to participate.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Living long term with the symptoms of anxiety can lead to more complicated mental and physical health conditions. You can take proactive steps now to maintain your health by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating healthy.
You can also perform activities that improve your mood and overall feelings of wellness. University students who engaged in self-care habits during the pandemic through hobbies, physical activity, or spending time in nature reported having reduced anxiety levels as well as many other positive outcomes.