UPTLC 2024

College students across the country are reporting increased rates of depression, anxiety, and stress (Healthy Minds Network, 2023). As the need and awareness of mental health increases, faculty and staff find themselves increasingly at the forefront of student mental health and wellbeing and are reporting increased stress and emotional distress (Johnson & Lester, 2022). This presentation will highlight five self-care techniques that college students and employees can easily incorporate into everyday life. The information presented will be through the unique lens of practicing psychologists, counselors, and social workers who have each chosen their most effective evidence-based self-care technique. Specific areas that will be addressed include 1) learning how to set boundaries and recognizing when making accommodations is appropriate and helpful to a student's emotional and overall wellbeing, 2) mindfulness as a way to get the most out of each day, 3) loving kindness meditation, 4) grounding techniques and guided imagery, and 5) intentional end of the day debrief with parasympathetic recovery. Audience members will actively participate in five exercises demonstrating the aforementioned skill areas. Participants will gain confidence, skills, and knowledge in supporting the well-being of oneself and others through self-care techniques.

References
Healthy Minds Network. (2023). Healthy Minds Study among Colleges and Universities, year 2022-2023. Healthy Minds Network, University of Michigan, University of California Los Angeles, Boston University, and Wayne State University.
https://healthymindsnetwork.org/research/data-for-researchers/
Johnson A.P., Lester R.J. (2022). Mental health in academia: Hacks for cultivating and sustaining wellbeing. American Journal of Human Biology, 34(1).