Counseling Services Mental Health Resources

Disclaimer

The information contained in the various internet resources is NOT intended to substitute for help from a mental health professional. *Providing these links does not indicate endorsement by Counseling Services or VCSU.

For personal assistance or follow-up questions/concerns, please contact Counseling Services or click to schedule an appointment.

Academic Services & Tutoring

Student Academic Services provides consultation and advice regarding academic issues, e.g. creating a personal course schedule, course drop/add, adding or changing majors/minors/certificates, and changing advisors.
Viking Learning Commons

ADD/ADHD

Resources for College Students with ADD/ADHD (ADDA)
Tips for Going to College with ADHD (Child Mind Institute)

Adjusting to College - Transitioning

My College Transition - The Foundation for Art and Healing
Mental Health in College - The Jed Foundation

Alcohol & Substance Abuse (Addiction)

Alcohol and Other Drug Information (VCSU OneStop)
Children of Alcoholics Resources (American Addiction Center)
Alcohol and Sleep (Sleep Foundation)
NDUS Bulletin Substance Use
Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in North Dakota
VCSU CHOICES PowerPoint

Anger Management

Anger & Anger Management (American Psychological Association)

Anxiety

NIMH Generalized Anxiety Information
Social Anxiety/Phobia Association
Anxiety Network
Managing Test Anxiety (Brown University)
NDUS Bulletin Anxiety

Apps

Calm - Sleep, Meditation, & Relaxation
Headspace - Meditation, Sleep, Stress, and Mindfulness
Insight Timer - Sleep, Anxiety, & Stress
Meditopia: Anxiety & Breathing App
Simple Habit - Wellness & Sleep App
Sleep Booster

Autism

College Autism Network
Students with Autism: Online Resources & Support

Burnout

The Village Webinars: https://www.thevillagefamily.org/services/village-business-institute/webinars#burnout
Brene Brown Podcast Episode: Burnout and How to Complete the Stress Cycle: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-emily-and-amelia-nagoski-on-burnout-and-how-to-complete-the-stress-cycle/
Southern New Hampshire University: How to Avoid College Burnout: https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/college-burnout

Career Counseling

The Career Services office provides VCSU students with countless resources relating to employment, internships, international study or work, and graduate studies. Whether you’re looking for on-campus employment or advice on an upcoming interview, our knowledgeable staff can provide direction.

Coping with Stress

99 Coping Skills List
Coping with College Stress (American Addiction Centers)
How to Cope: Stress in College Students (WGU)
NDUS Bulletin Burnout & Stress

Coping with COVID-19

NDUS Bulletin Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health

Depression

Disability Support Services

OneStop VCSU Disability Support Services

Diversity & Inclusion

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion supports and advocates for VCSU’s students, faculty, and staff who are Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color (BIPoC); those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Pan-Sexual, Gender Queer, Or Asexual (LGBTQIA+); people of minoritized spiritual and religious beliefs; First Generation College Students; immigrants; and those who are economically under resourced. We also support and advocate for issues of gender bias and body positivity.

Eating Disorders & Body Image

College and Body Image (Eating Disorder Hope)
NDUS Bulletin Eating Disorders
National Alliance for Eating Disorders - Free, Therapist-led Support Groups for Eating Disorders

Emotional Support Animal

VCSU Emotional Support Animal Policy

Faculty & Staff Information

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Going Home for the Holidays

Gratitude

Grief & Loss

Tips for Grieving College Students (Healgrief.org)

Group Counseling

Group counseling, workshops, seminars, consultations, and referrals are also provided by the counseling staff.

Homesickness

How to deal with homesickness in college: https://mhanational.org/how-deal-homesickness-college (MHA)
Homesickness in college students: https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/homesickness-in-college/(bestcolleges)

LGBTQ, Sexuality, & Sexual Orientation

VCSU Safe Zone Ally
The “Safe Zone” symbol is a message to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and their allies. The message is that the person displaying this symbol is understanding, supportive, and trustworthy if a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person needs help, advice, or just someone with whom s/he can talk. The person displaying the symbol can also give accurate information about sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Stress Responses & Gender
The Trevor Project - The Trevor Project is the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people. FREE 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 866-488-7386

Loneliness

NDUS Bulletin Loneliness & Relationships

Mindfulness, Meditation, & Relaxation

Mindfulness Meditation With Guided Body Relaxation (44 min) (NDSU)
Brief mindful breathing exercise (5 min) (NDSU)
Short Mindfulness Meditation With Guided Body Relaxation (29 min) (NDSU)
Calm Abiding Meditation With Guided Body Relaxation (42 minutes) (NDSU)
Short Calm Abiding Meditation With Guided Body Relaxation (25 Minutes) (NDSU)
Relaxation Techniques
External Site Audio Meditations
- Guided Self-Compassion Meditations
- Meditations From The Book "Sitting Together"

Parents, Guardians, & Family

Parent Guide for Transitioning High School Student to College (transitionyear.org)

Referral for Mental Health

Relationships

Breaking up with a loved one is never easy to do. Being in love is a good thing, but not being loved in return is not. One should judge his/her partner by what he/she says, as well as what he/she does. Any type of mistreatment or abuse whether it be physical or emotional is a sign of an unhealthy relationship. Certain behaviors can make a relationship unstable. Some Include:
- refusing to communicate
- ignoring issues
- verbal put downs
- not showing affection
- not keeping promises
Long Distance Relationships in College: Original Source of the Statistical research for long-distance-relationships: https://bedbible.com/long-distance-relationship-statistics/
Assertiveness (North Carolina State University)
Relationship Compatibility List
5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Maintaining Healthy Relationships in College (College Express)

Screen Fatigue

VCSU Counseling Services Screen Fatigue Presentation
Why Our Screens Make Us Less Happy (Adam Atler: TedTALK)

Self-Care

Self-Care (North Carolina State University)
Self-Care Tips List
NDUS Bulleting Self-Care
Active Minds Self-Care and Mental Health Statistics

Self-Esteem

In today's society, humans often do not view themselves positively. They need to find the positive traits in themselves by looking at what they have accomplished, not what they have not accomplished. Self-esteem is their self-image, or how they feel about themselves. There are many factors that affect their self-esteem level. The more positive these are, the higher their self-esteem will be.
- stable home life
- social life
- school
- society
- on the job
Tips for College Students to Beat Low Self-Esteem (College Basics)

Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence

Date Rape is the act of pressuring and forcing someone to have sex. Anyone can be raped--men and women, and anyone could be the rapist--classmate or co-worker. Many assume a rapist to be a stranger when statistics show that 84% of the raped women knew their rapist. No one deserves to be raped and that's why everyone should be aware and protect themselves.
- express self limitations
- beware of alcohol and/or drug abuse
- stay clear of secluded areas
- have own transportation
CAWS North Dakota: Ending Sexual and Domestic Violence
Abused Persons Outreach Center (APOC) in Valley City

Sleep & Health

Sleep Hygiene (Sleep Foundation)
Stages of Sleep (Sleep Foundation)
Sleep Linked to Mental Health in College Students & Athletes (AASM)

Spring Break Safety

RAINN Spring Break Safety Tips

Student Athletes

Mind, Body, & Sport (NCAA)

Study Skills & Test Anxiety

Study Skills Info (Virginia Tech) - (On Virginia Tech website--see sidebar for more links on specific tips)

Stress & Stress Management

Coping with Everyday Problems (VCSU)
FAQ about Mental Health Following Stressful Events (flood) (VCSU)
Reducing Stress in Your Life (NDSU/VCSU)

Suicide & Self-Harm

There is no apparent answer as to why people take their own lives. Many factors can make people contemplate suicide.
- depression
- loss of a relationship
- unstable home life
Suicide could be prevented if these warning signs are detected.
- previous attempt
- giving prized possessions away
- withdraws from family/friends
- threat of suicide--written or verbal
- Misuse or abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs
The Columbia Lighthouse Project
Understanding Suicide Prevention (Best Colleges)
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
NDUS Bulletin Suicide

Trauma

The Effects of Trauma on the Brain (TedTalk)

ULifeline

ULifeline- Resources for College Mental Health
- VCSU is not currently listed, however, that does NOT prevent you from accessing the online materials.

Wellness

Dimensions of Wellness Assessment (University of Colorado)
VCSU 8 Dimensions of Wellness Wheel
Healthy Living (University of Chicago)
Take Control of your Time (VCSU)
SMART Goal Setting (VCSU)