Mental Health

Did you know that 31% of college students have felt so depressed in the past year that it was difficult to function, and that more than 50% have felt overwhelming anxiety making it hard to succeed academically. Does this sound like you or someone you know? Mental health is essential to leading a healthy and fulfilled life. How can you improve your mental health, and help others with theirs?

" Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical."

Sophia Loren

Looking Back:
A Self-Reflection

What does it mean to be "sound in body, mind and spirit"?

Check out our worksheet.

Quiz Ideas

  • Are you considering seeking therapy, but are unsure of whether it’s the right choice for you? Take this test to help determine if you need professional help.
  • Are you facing new challenges as a college student? Are you having a hard time coping? Use this tool to screen yourself for thirteen of the most common mental health conditions that college students face.

Moving Ahead:
The Challenge

When you think about areas where you life is "out of balance," what action steps can you take to increase your level of balance?

Check out our worksheet.

Articles

Campus Resources

  • Counseling and Psychological Services
    CAPS provides a wide range of free services to students, which are provided by a staff of professional clinical psychologists, social workers, counselors, learning specialists, and psychiatric providers. They offer individual counseling, group counseling, workshops, and outreach programs, as well as other resources.
  • Center for Psychological Services
    CPS offers individual, family, and couples therapy, group therapy, assessment, consultation, and mental health evaluations. They use evidence-based clinical training in assessment, consultation and intervention, and provide accessible, affordable, culturally sensitive, and state-of-the-art services to the community.
  • Student Health Services
    Student Health Services provides high quality health care, counseling, health education and prevention services to George Mason University students. From diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury, to women’s and men’s health, to immunizations and prescriptions, Student Health Services is available to all Mason students with clinics at Fairfax, Arlington and Science and Technology Campuses. There is no charge to be seen by one of our healthcare providers. There are nominal fees for treatments, and supplies.
  • Wellness, Alcohol, and Violence Education and Services
    WAVES helps students make healthy, safe choices and encourage lifelong, thoughtful healthy decision-making through individualized support, creative, programming, and evidence-based education and outreach. They help students feel empowered and have the capacity to grow to their full potential and reach optimal wellness and well-being. WAVES offers information on alcohol including staying sober, sober rides, safer drinking, talking to others about their alcohol use and more.

Additional Resources

  • Fairfax County Community Services Board
    Fairfax County Community Services Board offers links to local services to help people and their families with mental illness and substance use disorders. These services are offered to high risk groups and individuals, as well as youth, adults, and family members.
  • The Jed Foundation
    The Jed Foundation was created to promote emotional health and prevent suicide among college and university students. They promote awareness and understanding, increase knowledge, build and strengthen resilience, and more.
  • ULifeline
    ULifeline is an anonymous, confidential, online resource center, where college students can be comfortable searching for the information they need and want regarding emotional health.
  • Healthfinder.gov
    Healthfinder is a government website that offers information, news, resources and tools needed to help stay healthy. They offer a variety of links and information on mental health.
  • American Psychological Association
    The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA is the world's largest association of psychologists, with nearly 130,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students as its members. There are numerous articles, newsletters, and more on mental health.
  • Medline Plus
    MedlinePlus houses a wealth of excellent health information from the National Library of Medicine for health professionals and consumers. They offer mental health information, resources and tools for any population, disorder and behavioral concern, etc.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
    SAMHSA is a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) whose mission is to build resilience and facilitate recovery for people with or at risk for substance abuse and mental illness. SAMSHA support is divided into three components, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and the Center for Mental Health Services.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. They support and advocate for access to services, treatments, and research.