Mental Health Resources
Hokie Wellness works to actively enable to students to explore and improve their emotional well-being and mental health through educational workshops & events. The resources we provide aim to equip students with concrete skills needed to maintain positive mental health while navigating college life & beyond.
Feeling unsure about mental & emotional health? Consider these common signs of distress:
Mood Changes - Experiencing frequent or intense changes in mood, such as irritability, sadness, or even extreme excitement.
Behavior Changes - Deviation from typical actions or habits. An example of this may be no longer attending classes or increased drinking behaviour.
Interpersonal Changes - These are changes in relationships and interactions with others. An example might be isolation / decreased desire to spend time with friends, or increased conflict with loved ones.
Physical Changes - Changes to your body. Examples may be changes in energy level (drowsiness or hyperactivity) or significant weight loss/gain.
Sudden Event - What is considered to be a sudden event or crisis is not the same for every student. A sudden event can range from failing an exam to a break up. Examples could include a car wreck or death of a loved one.
Mental Health Resources through Hokie Wellness
Simply put, resiliency is the ability to bounce back from adversity and sources of significant stress. Contrary to what many think, resiliency is not a personality trait that some have and others don’t. Resiliency is a set of behaviors and thoughts that can be developed in anyone! Whether you’re learning how to grow from mistakes and failures or wanting to learn how not to get so lost in your own negative thoughts, Hokie Wellness provides workshops and events that help students bounce back from the stresses of college life.
Mindful Campus Practices are a series of brief 5 minute guided meditations that use a combination of imagery and your 5 senses to help you tap into the present and cultivate more mindful moments throughout your day. These practices can help Hokies feel more connected to campus regardless of where you physically are by using the audio and/or video for these recordings.
Interested in exploring the full list of locations for Mindful Campus Practices? Check out the full playlist below:
FEELS Peer Support Groups are mental health support spaces by students for students. This group is a space to connect with fellow Hokies who are navigating their mental health concerns and exploring how to maintain their emotional well-being.
Online Resources to Support Your Mental Well-Being
Explore mental health resources at Virginia Tech such as individual & group support, ways to get involved, & opportunities to learn.
The Atlas of Emotions is an interactive tool to help you build your vocabulary of emotions & understand how we respond to emotions
Students and families can explore tips and strategies for increasing emotional readiness and the adjustment to college life.
Mind Full? How about some Mindfulness!
Mindfulness is a practice that brings your awareness to the present moment. Mindfulness techniques can help us accept thoughts & feelings without judging them or getting lost in them.
Stress-Busting Strategy: 5 Senses
Feeling overwhelmed or unfocused? Try out this simple mindfulness technique: To bring your awareness to the
present, take a moment to identify one thing you can see, hear, smell, taste, & feel. Try to approach these
sensations as if you’re experiencing them for the first time. Describe each of these findings silently to yourself.
Self-Care vs. #TreatYoSelf
Everyone is deserving of self-care; unfortunately, sometimes in college, we feel like it is a reward we have to earn. Self-care is most effective in maintaining positive mental and emotional health when it is done consistently -- not just during the times we feel overwhelmed with stress. If you’re unsure about whether your current coping skills are #TreatYoSelf or are truly self-care, ask yourself the three questions below:
- Does this reduce my overall (not just immediate) stress?
- Are my actions sustainable?
- Are my coping skills helping me reach my goals?
The best way to develop healthy, consistent self-care practices is to create a plan. Check out our Resiliency Workshop Series to develop more skills around self-care!