UAB’s Student Counseling Services (SCS) and Mental Health Ambassadors are creating special resources for students who are struggling to adjust during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
As students live and learn off-campus during remote instruction, they can still access telemental health assistance from Student Counseling Services through distance counseling via through HIPAA-compliant secure telephone- and video-meeting host Zoom.
“Helping our students navigate this transitionary period successfully is our No. 1 priority” said Angela Stowe, Ph.D., director of Student Counseling Services and Wellness Promotion. “We want to provide every resource possible to them to encourage resiliency and health in the mist of the uncertainty.”
Students who are SCS clients and have scheduled appointments will receive instructions from their counselor by phone or patient portal. New clients interested in distance counseling can call 205-934-5816 and leave a voicemail; a counselor will respond within one business day.
|
“Helping our students navigate this transitionary period successfully is our No. 1 priority. We want to provide every resource possible to them to encourage resiliency and health in the mist of the uncertainty.” |
Student Counseling Services also provides no-cost access to TAO Self Help, a free web- and app-based online counseling resource for resiliency, stress management, depression, anxiety, mindfulness, recovery support and more. See more resources online at uab.edu/students/counseling.
Want to participate in group mental health exercises instead to ward off the social-distancing blues? Join Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk, Ph.D., associate professor of voice in the Department of Music, via Zoom for 15 minutes of guided meditation and a Q-and-A session 11-11:30 a.m. during Mindful Mondays and 2-2:30 p.m. during Focus Fridays; the meeting ID is 440 253 2164.
Created by Honors Faculty Fellow Robin Lanzi, Ph.D., professor and director of Academic Programs in the School of Public Health, in partnership with Stowe and UAB senior and Honors College student Juhee Agrawal, president of UAB’s chapter of Active Minds, honors students who participate the ambassadors program learn skills to present information to peers on subjects such as mental health awareness, practical skills for addressing concerns and information on mental health services and activities on campus.
Learn more about special programming on the ambassadors’ Twitter @UABMHA and on Facebook; the group also hosts Thriving Thursdays, which are geared toward promoting resiliency in upperclassmen, Freshman Fridays, Artsy Saturdays and Self-Care Sundays.
To reach Birmingham’s Crisis Center, call 205-323-7777; the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Text UAB to 741741 to reach crisis counselors with the Crisis Text Line.
