Depression is one of the most common reasons for seeking mental health treatment. Depression is treatable and individuals often experience feelings of sadness, disappointment, hopelessness, sleep disruption, grief and fatigue. Many people experience depression from time to time and the severity varies from individual to individual. Many times we can manage these emotions but at other times, when these feelings are present most days for several weeks, it is time to talk to a professional.

You are not alone and we are here to help you.

Experiencing a small amount of anxiety in our lives is healthy and helps our brains learn. But when the level of anxiety you feel does not go away and gets worse over time, you might be suffering from an anxiety disorder. 

Anxiety is something that we all experience as a normal part of challenging and uncomfortable situations. In most situations, feeling anxious sends signals to our brain to wake up and pay attention. When our brains are awake, it’s easier for us to learn and complete tasks. Our brains will remember this response to the situation and will trigger us to respond the same way when we’re in that situation again.

Homesickness is real! It’s the cognitive and emotional distress an individual may experience when separating from a familiar and supportive home environment. The severity can vary. Some report a combination of anxiety and depressive symptoms, such as feelings of sadness, uncontrollable crying, panic attacks, inability to leave your room, withdrawing from others, feeling lost and/or having an underlying sense of worry for no particular reason. The good news is, in most cases, homesickness usually subsides by the end of the first semester. However, if feelings continue to intensify and/or get in the way of being able to attend class, go to work or engage in activities (in the past you would have enjoyed), you should talk to someone.

• View this article on strategies for coping with homesickness: UK here to help students, parents, families combat homesickness

If you want to talk to a mental health professional about what you might be experiencing, you can connect to our services.

When we get overwhelmed or stressed, it can become easy to stop doing things that make us feel good, give us energy and keep us motivated through the difficult times of college life. Self-care is the active participation in enhancing your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and quality of life. It can alleviate some of your stress. Focusing on maintaining both our physical and mental well-being will allow us to achieve an overall state of wellness and balance. This physical and mental health balance of your mind and body are necessary to achieve wellness for optimal function and being able to pursue a life of meaning and purpose. There are self-care strategies that can help you get there.

• Physical – get enough sleep, exercise, pay attention to nourishment and engage in relaxing activities.
• Emotional – smile, make connections with others, help others, work for a gratitude mindset, practice optimism, stay positive – there is hope.
• Internal – strive for a positive self-view and practice mindfulness.
• Social – build a support system of natural supports, get involved and learn how to say “no.”
• Spiritual – stay true to your values , view UK's Religious and Spiritual Clubs.
• Environmental – make your personal space comfortable and organized. Integrated Success Coaching may be a helpful resource.