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Published on Leave a comment on You Matter: Mental Health Resources
Picture of a sign that says "You Matter. Text. Call. Chat. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline."

Mental health is a vital contributor to our overall physical health and well-being. However, the stigma surrounding mental health can prevent us from seeking out resources and reaching out for help during times of mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs support, help and resources are available. Please know that you matter. You are not alone.

Suicide Prevention Resources:

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: The Lifeline provides 24/7 access to free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, and best practices information for health and mental health professionals.
  • Student Health Center (SHC): If you are thinking about suicide, call 202-994-5300 (option 2). Counselors are available 24 hours a day. If you believe someone you know is in danger of suicide, call GW Emergency Services at 202-994-6111, 911, or seek help at the nearest Emergency Room.
  • National Suicide Prevention Resources:
  • District of Columbia Suicide Helpline:

Resources for Students: 

  • GW Listens: This student-run anonymous hotline (202-902-8255) is a place where students can talk to peers about struggles. Hotline hours are from Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am.
  • Student Health Center (SHC): If you are thinking about suicide, call 202-994-5300 (option 2). Counselors are available 24 hours a day. If you believe someone you know is in danger of suicide, call GW Emergency Services at 202-994-6111, 911, or seek help at the nearest Emergency Room.
  • TimelyCare: All GW students have free, 24/7 access to virtual care services with TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform designed for college students.
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Part of the Colonial Health Center, CAPS is GW’s center for mental health treatment. Telehealth and in-person counseling appointments are available.

Resources for Medical Residents and Fellows:

Resources for GW Employees:

Himmelfarb Library Mental Health Resources:

Himmelfarb’s Healthy Living @ Himmelfarb Collection includes several mental health-focused titles including:

Take Care of Yourself and Those Around You

While it’s vital to take care of your mental health, it’s equally important to look out for one another. Check in with your friends, colleagues, and loved ones. Listen without judgment and offer support as you are able. Mental health involves taking care of yourself and those around you.

If someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, reach out for help. Take advantage of the resources listed in this post. Don’t forget that the GW Resilience and Well-Being Center and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 for help) are always available.

Published on
Image of scrabble tiles that spell out "Mental Health" and a leaf on the upper right side.
Photo by Total Shape on Unsplash

Mental health is an essential part of overall physical health and well-being. Yet, the stigma surrounding mental health prevents many people from seeking help when they experience mental health struggles. If you or someone you know needs support, there are resources available to help.

Suicide Prevention Resources:

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: The Lifeline provides 24/7 access to free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, and best practices information for health and mental health professionals.
  • Student Health Center (SHC): If you are thinking about suicide, call 202-994-5300 (option 2). Counselors are available 24 hours a day. If you think someone you know is in danger of suicide, call GW Emergency Services at 202-994-6111, call 911, or seek help at the nearest Emergency Room.
  • National Suicide Prevention Resources:
  • District of Columbia Suicide Helpline:

Resources for Students:

  • Anxiety Toolbox: This virtual workshop consists of three, one-hour sessions for students who want to gain an understanding of anxiety and learn skills to recognize and manage anxiety symptoms. 
  • AcademicLiveCare: AcademicLiveCare offers unlimited, no-cost virtual telehealth appointments for full-time GW students. Available visit options include on-demand urgent care, and scheduled appointments for psychiatry, therapy, and nutrition counseling.
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Part of the Colonial Health Center, CAPS is GW’s center for mental health treatment. Telehealth and in-person counseling appointments are available. 
  • SilverCloud: All GW students have free access to SilverCloud’s Digital Mental Wellbeing Platform, which is fully confidential and available 24/7. Programs address a wide range of mental health challenges including stress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
  • GW Listens: This student-run anonymous hotline (202-902-8255) is a place where students can talk to peers about struggles. Hotline hours are from Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00pm to 1:00am.

Resources for Medical Residents and Fellows:

Resources for GW Employees:

Himmelfarb Library Mental Health Resources:

Himmelfarb’s Healthy Living @ Himmelfarb Collection includes a number of mental health-focused titles including:

Taking care of your mental health is an essential part of physical health. Make your mental health a priority and take advantage of the resources available to you. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Everyone faces their own mental health struggles, and there is no shame in asking for help and relying on available resources when needed.

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Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Mental health is a key player in overall health, and can impact how we handle stress and influence the healthy (or unhealthy) choices we make every day. The field of medicine is critical to ensure wellness; it's also our responsibility as individuals to prioritize our mental health. Even daily stressors can hinder our physical health. 

Every year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) leads the Mental Health Awareness Month campaign, which aims to increase public understanding of mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Through this campaign, #morethanenough, NAMI encourages individuals to share their stories, raise awareness in their communities, and advocate for better access to mental health resources and services.

Anxiety, depression, or trauma can greatly affect one’s ability to live a productive life. Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate and inform the public about the importance of mental health and the impact of mental illness on individuals, families, and society as a whole. As the country is facing a shortage of practicing psychiatrists, sharing our knowledge, and supporting those we love has become a topic that is needed, but not often addressed. 

Remember that it's okay not to be okay, and it's okay to ask for help. You deserve to receive the support and care you need to prioritize your mental health and well-being Don’t forget: you are #morethanenough. 

Mental Health Support:

Mental Health resources at Himmelfarb: 

Published on
An African-American man dressed in a white shirt and grey pants is seated crossed legged on brown rocks and looks over a green, hilly landscape

“Winter blues” is a colloquial term people use when describing the general sense of sluggishness, mental/emotional fatigue and lack of interest in normal hobbies or activities during the winter months. Many people self-report mood or behavior changes during the late fall and winter seasons. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression “characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4 to 5 months per year.” (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d., para. 4)  It may be difficult for people to openly discuss their mental health or seek out help for severe symptoms. January is Mental Wellness Month and an opportune time to have open, honest conversations about mental health care with your patients and social circle. 

Despite many people reporting lower energy levels and experiencing extended periods of sadness or loss of interest in daily activities during the winter season, people may be unaware of the symptoms of SAD or how to treat it. Have conversations with your patients about their mood and engagement with hobbies during the late fall and winter period. Ask if they have access to a mental health specialist or if they’re interested in working with a specialist. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has a webpage dedicated to SAD including a thorough explanation of the disorder, common symptoms associated with it and potential treatment options. Sharing this information with patients will help them learn that SAD is a common experience and may reduce shame people experience when discussing their mental health. 

Knowing how to connect patients with mental health resources is important. The NIMH’s Help for Mental Illnesses page offers mental health hotlines, ways to evaluate if a mental health specialist is a good fit and federal resources that connect people with low-cost health services. Websites such as Psychology Today, Therapy for Black Girls, American Psychological Association’s Psychologist Locator and the National Register of Health Service Psychologists allow users to search for a mental health specialist that meets their needs. Encourage your patients to speak with their friends or family about their experiences with therapy or other mental health services. 

If a professional mental health specialist is not an option for your patients, work with them to develop a management plan that prioritizes their mental well-being. Ask about their sleeping habits, how often they exercise and their social connections. Share research findings that discuss the importance of developing healthier habits and how these habits can reduce stress and improve moods. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service has accessible pages that include practical tips on how to develop better nutrition, physical activity and sleep habits. This is a great resource to share with your patients. 

Just as it is important to discuss mental health with your patients, it is equally important to take care of your own health. The Healthy Living @ Himmelfarb Guide has resources, services, wellness apps and more that are available for you to use. Connect with GW services such as the Student Health Center, GW Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or the GW Resiliency & Well Being Center. The Books & Library Resources page includes books, exercise equipment, games and more that are available for checkout from the library. Lastly, the Wellness Apps page lists smart device apps such as Calm, Mint, Daily Yoga and more to help you incorporate more movement into your life, develop a meditation practice or manage your finances. 

Taking care of our mental health allows us to stay present and not feel overwhelmed by the difficult periods we encounter. Mental health is just as important as physical health. For Mental Wellness Month, spend time evaluating your current mental health and make changes by incorporating more self-care into your routine. Ask for help if you need it and explore one of the many resources listed above to begin your journey towards mental wellness. 

References:

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Seasonal Affective Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder

Published on

Photo by Finn on Unsplash

We’ve all had a lot of handle this year, and we’ve had to learn how to manage our lives differently because of the pandemic. We’re all spending more time at home, and less time in a traditional office or classroom setting. Our lives at home may look very different than they did nine months ago. With everything going on in the world right now, it’s no wonder that many of us are feeling more stressed, anxious, depressed, socially isolated, having trouble sleeping, or all of the above. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ways in which we would normally cope with these issues may not be available in the same way they were before the pandemic. It’s okay if you find yourself struggling with mental health right now - you are not alone.

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. GW provides resources to help you take care of your mental health. So take some time for yourself and explore these options:

Resources for Students:

Resources for GW Employees:

So whether you are a GW student, faculty or staff member, GW provides numerous resources that can help you focus on your mental health and help you manage life during the pandemic. Take some time to focus on yourself and your mental health. You are worth it! 

Published on

bike

In 2020 we faced the challenge of a worldwide Pandemic that has changed many of our lives. From relocating ourselves and our belongings to other states to limiting our errands and taking extra sanitary precautions, being on lock-down has taken its toll on many not only physically, but mentally as well.

That being said, there are many ways that you can take care of your mental health while still abiding by social distancing guidelines. Unsure of what you can do? Here are some ideas:

  • Make a new daily outdoor resolution.

    • Does being indoors so frequently get you down? You are not alone, being inside for so long can make anyone restless! Make it a daily goal to get outside just once, even if it’s a short stroll to the mailbox or spending an afternoon out on your balcony or patio. Even a short time spent outdoors can help you reap the benefits of some fresh air and vitamin D. Want to avoid any crowds? Get outside early. Not sure where to go? You can always take a few laps around some of the city’s athletic fields which are open as of May 29th. 

  • Start a garden.

    • Never tried gardening before? What better time to start than now? There are a variety of flowers, herbs, and vegetables that can be grown both outdoors and indoors. Find seeds, plants and tools online or at your local grocer or hardware store. The internet has countless resources for gardening basics and tips, depending on what you would like to grow.

  • Stop by your local Public library.

    • While operating on a limited basis, there are several locations of the DC Public Library that are open for curbside pickup. Further information on which locations are open can be found on the Mayor’s Website. 

  • Try a new recipe.

    • Never had the time to bake or cook due to a busy schedule? Why not use this time to bust out those pots, pans and baking sheets and put them to good use! No recipe is too simple or complex. Treat yourself to some french toast, or homemade pizza. Impress your roommate and your pets with this simple two ingredient pizza dough recipe which will not only cost a fraction of standard delivery, but will taste delicious too!

These are challenging times for all. We cannot stress how important it is not only to be mindful of social distancing guidelines, but to take care of yourself too. Stay safe, and study hard. We are excited to be back and to see you at Himmelfarb!

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