Hope Scholar Health and Wellness Guide
Table of Contents
Who We Are
Why Mental Health Matters
Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle
The Six Building Blocks of Wellness
Coping Strategies
Mental Health Toolkit
Mental Health Barometer
How To Find A Mental Health Professional
Common Mental Health Disorders And Their Symptoms
Common Mental Health Challenges And Their Symptoms
Types Of Therapy
Navigating A Mental Health Crisis
General Resources
Video Library
Conclusion
*Hope Chicago is not a licensed mental health organization. This wellness guide was developed with input from our Mental Health Advisory Council, feedback from Hope Chicago Scholars, and our organization’s internal best practices. It is intended to provide general support and resources not to serve as a substitute for professional mental health care. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need clinical support, we strongly encourage you to seek help from a licensed mental health professional or contact emergency services.
Who We Are
TheHopeChicagoMentalHealthAdvisoryCounciliscommittedtoidentifyingandremovingthe barriersthatexistforScholarstoaccessculturally-responsive,trauma-informedmentalhealth services,education,andothervitalresourcestosupportScholars’mentalwellbeing.Thisgroupis composedofmentalhealthpractitioners,highereducationstudentsupportprofessionals,and Hopestaff.
DrAndreaBoyd,PhDsaLicensedClinical Psychologistwhoreceivedherbachelor'sdegree inpsychologyfromDukeUniversityandher DoctoratedegreeinClinicalPsychologyfromthe UniversityofNorthCarolinaGreensboro.
WallaceColvinM.A.isaChicagotherapistwitha privatepracticeandbringsmuchneeded perspectiveasaBlackmale.
BryannaMorelliDanielholdsamaster’sdegree insocialworkandisateachingartistattheKevin LoveFund.
JessicaJuarezisalicensedprofessional counselor,visualartist,thefounderofKindred, LLC,andco-founderofThePraxisInstitute.
ChiKimistheChiefExecutiveOfficerofPureEdge,Inc.a privateoperatingfoundationdedicatedtothewellbeingoflearnersandeducatorsacrosstheUS.
BrittanySwimsisaProgramManageratSIUCanda HopeChicagoCampusContact,inadditiontobeinga licensedsocialworker.
MichaelRoyispassionateabouteducationalequityas wellaswell-beingandhasbeenworkingtoadvance equityandmentalhealthresourcesinChicagoPublic Schoolssince2019.
Dr.Valentinaisaculturally-sensitivelicensedClinical PsychologistfromChicagowhoperformstherapyand neuropsychologicaltestinginEnglishandSpanish.
Why Mental Health Matters
forHopeScholars
Mentalhealthisakeyfactorinachievingacademicsuccess. Asclassesbecomemoredemanding,it’snaturaltoexperience self-doubtorfearoffailure.Butsuccessisn’tdefinedsolelyby grades—it’salsoaboutresilienceandpersonalgrowth.
Strugglesshouldn’tleadtodiscouragement;instead,trytoreroutethemaschancestobuildstrengthandseeksupport whenneeded.Withdeterminationandtherightresources, everychallengebecomesastepforward—andnoonehasto takethatstepalone.
HOW THIS WELLNESS GUIDE CAN BE USED
Wecreatedthewellnessguideindirectresponsetowhatweheardfromourscholars.Students consistentlysharedthatmentalhealthchallengeswereoneofthemainreasonstheywere pausingtheireducationorstrugglingtosucceedinschool.
Thiswellnessguidewasdesignedtodojustthat.Itofferspracticalstrategiesandresourcesto helpstudentsbuildhealthierhabits,staygrounded,andknowwhenandhowtoaskforhelp. Scholarscanuseitasapersonalcheck-intool,asourceofencouragementduringtoughtimes, andaguidetobuildlong-termwellnessroutinesthatsupportboththeiracademicandpersonal growth.Additionally,itwillhelpbuildavocabularyanddeeperunderstandingofmentalhealth challengestoequipyouwiththeknowledgeneededtoseekproperhelpandsupport.
Taking Care of Your Mental Wellness:
THE 7 PILLARS OF MENTAL WELLNESS
provide a holistic approach to maintaining and improving mental health
Emotional:recognizing,expressing,andacceptingfeelings helpsmanageemotionsandbehaviorsinpositiveways.
Environmental:Understandinghowdailyhabitsaffectthe environment.Takingstepstoprotecttheenvironmentand improvesurroundings,takingthetimetoenjoynature.
03 Intellectual:Usingourmindsforgreater understandingofourselvesandothers. Expandingourknowledgeandskillsetin ordertodevelopandexpressour creativity.
Physical:Obtainingourregularexercise tobuildstrengthandenduranceinorder tomaintainahealthydietandsleep habitstobeabletomanageourhealth andsafetyinaproactiveway.
Social:Tofosterhealthy relationshipsandsocial networksinordertocontribute toourenvironmentand community,whichhelpsus pursueasenseofconnection inourlives.
Spiritual:Seekingapurpose andmeaningtoourlivesin ordertodevelopasetof ethics,valuesandguiding principlestoappreciatethe depthandexpanseofthe universe.
Occupational:Seeking satisfactionandenrichment throughouroccupation,goals, andinterestsinordertoshare ourgiftsandtalentstofeela senseofpurposeinourlives.
WELLNESS IS HOLISTIC: PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING.
Tips
for a
Healthy Lifestyle
Sleepisessentialformentalhealthbecauseitallows thebrainandbodytorecover,processinformation, andmaintainemotionalbalance.
Herearesomekeyreasonswhysleepiscriticalfor mentalwell-being:
EmotionalRegulation
CognitiveFunction
StressReduction
Exerciseiscriticalformentalwellness becauseithasprofoundeffectson brainfunction,emotionalregulation, andstressmanagement.
Here’swhyregularphysicalactivityis essentialformaintainingmentalhealth: Boostsmoodandhappiness
ImprovesSleep
BuildsSelf-Esteem
Tips for
a
Healthy Lifestyle
Nutritioniscriticalformentalwellnessbecausethe foodsweeatdirectlyaffectbrainfunction,mood,and emotionalresilience.
Herearethekeyreasonswhypropernutritionis essentialformentalhealth:
SupportsBrainFunction ReducesInflammation EnhancesFocusandenergy
Limitingscreentimeisbeneficialformental wellnessbecauseexcessiveuseofscreenscan negativelyimpactemotionalhealth,cognitive function,andoverallwell-being.
Herearekeyreasonswhyreducingscreentime supportsmentalhealth: ImprovesSleepQuality Supportsemotionalregulation Protectsagainst“Doomscrolling”
The Six Building Blocks of Wellness
Optimismistheability tomaintainapositiveand hopefuloutlook,eveninthe faceofchallenges.It doesn’tmeanignoring difficultiesbutrather believingthatsetbacksare temporaryandthatyou havethepowerto overcomethem.Optimism helpsimprovementaland physicalwell-beingby reducingstressand increasingpersonal strength.
Self-awarenessreferstotheabilitytorecognizeandunderstand yourownemotions,thoughts,andbehaviors.Itinvolvesbeingmindful ofhowyoufeel,whyyoureactincertainways,andhowyouractions impactyourselfandothers.
KeyAspects:
EmotionalAwareness
Recognizingandmanagingemotionsinahealthyway
Mindfulness
Beingpresentinthemomentandawareofyourthoughts withoutjudgment
PersonalValuesandBeliefs
Understandingwhatmattersmosttoyouandhowthat influencesyourchoices
BehavioralAwareness
Abilitytorecognize,understand,andevaluateyourown actionsandhabits.
GrowthMindset
Thebeliefthatabilities,intelligence,andskillscandevelop overtimethrougheffort,learning,andpersistence.
KeyAspects
PositiveMindset&hopefulness
GrowthPerspective
Self-Belief
PersonalStrength
The Six Building Blocks of Wellness
Self-regulationistheabilitytomanageyouremotions, thoughts,andbehaviorsinawaythatsupportsyourwell-being andlong-termgoals.Ithelpsyoustayincontrol,makethoughtful decisions,andrespondtosituationsinabalancedand constructiveway.
KeyAspects
Takingdeepbreathsinsteadofyellingwhenfrustrated Pausingbeforerespondingtoahurtfulcomment Recognizingwhenyou'refeelingoverwhelmedandtakinga break
Reframingnegativethoughtsintomoreconstructiveones
andmaintainmeaningfulrelationshipswithothers,creatingasense alconnectionsimproveemotionalwell-being,reducestress,and ncancomefromrelationshipswithfamily,friends,colleagues,ora
The Six Building Blocks of Wellness
MentalAgilityistheabilitytothinkflexibly,adapttonew situations,andapproachchallengeswithcreativityandproblemsolvingskills.Ithelpsyoustayopen-minded,managestress effectively,andmakewell-informeddecisions.Astrongsenseof mentalagilityenhancesresilienceandoverallwell-being.
KeyAspects
Adaptability
Open-Mindedness
Problem-Solving
CriticalThinking
EmotionalFlexibility
Self-efficacyisthebeliefinyourabilitytosetgoals,overcome challenges,andsucceedthrougheffortandperseverance.It influencesmotivation,strength,andoverallwell-beingbyshaping howyouapproachdifficultiesandopportunitiesinlife.
KeyAspects
ConfidenceinAbilities
Goal-setting
Strength
Problem-solving
GrowthMindset
Thegoalshouldbewell-definedand clear,leavingnoroomforambiguity
SPECIFIC
Thereshouldbespecificcriteriato trackprogressandassesssuccess
MEASUREABLE ATTAINABLE
Thegoalshouldberealistically attainableandnotimpossibletoreach
ASMARTgoalisaframework forsettinggoals.This frameworkhelpsindividuals andorganizationsdefine objectivesinaclear, attainableway.
Thegoalshouldalignwithyouroverall goalsandvaluesandbemeaningful toYOU
Thedeadlineshouldbesettoensure focusandaccountability
Coping Strategies
Prioritizingyourwell-beingisanongoingjourney,andsmall,intentional stepscanleadtomeaningfulchange.Byunderstandingmentalhealth, buildinghealthycopingstrategies,andseekingsupportwhenneeded, youcancreateafoundationforresilienceandgrowth.
Remember,self-careisn’taluxury—it’sanecessity.Bepatientwith yourself,celebrateprogress,andcontinueexploringwhatworksbest foryou.Yourwellnessmatters,andyouareneveraloneonthispath.
breathe deeply
write it down
Toolkit Toolkit
Learning the language of mental health.
Thebetterweunderstandthelanguageofmentalhealth,themorewecanproperlyadvocatefor ourselvesandgetthehelpandsupportwemayneed.
Inthefollowingpages,youwilllearnaboutthemostcommonmentalhealthchallenges,mental healthconditions,and,mostimportantly,willlearnhowtoevaluateyourcurrentsituationand determinetherightnextstepsforyoutothrive.
Understanding the difference between Mental Health and Mental Illness
Mentalhealthreferstotheoverallstate ofemotional,psychological,andsocial well-being.Itaffectshowwethink,feel, act,howwehandlestress,relateto others,andmakedecisions.Mental healthisabroadterm.Justlike physicalhealth,everyonehasmental health-sometimeswejustneedmore attentiontoit.
Mentalillness,ontheotherhand,referstospecific disordersthataffectanindividual’sthinking,emotional state,andbehavior.Thesedisorderscansignificantly impairaperson’sabilitytofunctionindailylife.
Mentalillnessistypicallydiagnosedbyahealthcare professionalbasedonsymptomsthatpersistfora significantperiodoftimeandcausedistressor impairmentinfunctioningandordailylife.
Click here to learn even more.
Mental Health Barometer for Students
GREENZONE:I’mdoingokay.
You’refeelingmentallyhealthyandbalanced. Icanfocusinclassandmanagemyresponsibilities.
Ifeelconnectedtofriends,family,orasupport system.
Ihaveupsordowns,butIbouncebackquickly. I’msleeping,eating,andmovingregularly.
Noactionneeded,butkeeppracticingself-care!
YELLOWZONE:I’mstruggling.
You’reexperiencingsignsofstressthatmightbe affectingyourwell-being.
Ifeelanxious,sad,oroverwhelmedmoreoftenthan not.
Ihavetroublesleepingorfeeltiredallthetime.
I’mwithdrawingfromfriendsoractivitiesIusually enjoy.
Ifindithardtofocus,staymotivated,orfinishtasks.
Engageincopingstrategies,seeksomeonetotalkto, whetherprofessionalorafamily/friend.
Howareyoureallyfeelingtoday?
Usethisbarometertocheckinwith yourselfanddecideifyou’redealing witheverydaystressorsomething moreseriousthatmayneedsupport.
REDZONE:I’mincrisis. Youmaybeexperiencingamentalhealthcrisis.
Ifeelhopeless,helpless,orlikethingswon’tget better.
I’vehadthoughtsofself-harmornotwantingtobe here.
MyemotionsfeeloutofcontrolandIdon’tknow whattodo.
Gethelprightnow.Talktoatrustedadultorcontact oneoftheresourcesonpage
How to find a mental health professional Campus Connection
Schoolcounselingcentersarevitalforsupportingstudentwellness.
Somestudentsusethemforcontinuedtreatmentofpre-existing mentalhealthconditions;forothers,theyareasourceofsupport foranychallengesthatdevelopduringtheirtimeatschool, includingacademicstress,anxiety,depression,andsuicidal thoughts.
Whileeveryschoolisdifferent,mosthavecounselingcentersandareabletoofferservicessuchas:individual counseling.grouptherapy,medicationmanagement,psychiatristappointments,andwalk-inhoursforimmediate support.Somecounselingcenterscansupportstudentswhorequirelong-termorhighlyspecializedcare,butoften, counselingcentershelpbyconnectingthemtooff-campusprovidersandofferingassistanceinnavigating insuranceplans.
Sincemanycollegestudentsstrugglewiththeirmentalhealth,counselingcentersmayhavealongwaitingperiod.It canbediscouragingtoreachoutforhelponlytolearnyouhavetowaitforanappointment,butit’sstillanimportant firststeptogettingcare.
Ifyou’restrugglingtogetanappointment,youmayfindadditionalsupportat:
Localmentalhealthpractices,whichyourcounselingcentercanhelpmatchyouwithdependingonyourneeds Onlinetherapyservices
Acampusmentalhealthclubororganization
Diversity,Equity,andInclusionCenter
Readmoreaboutusingcampuscounseling,gettingcareoffcampus,findingaffordablementalhealthcare,and whattodowhileyou’rewaitingforcare.
Common Mental Health Disorders and Their Symptoms
It'scommontooccasionallyexperience manyofthesignsandsymptomsofmental healthproblemsthatarelistedbelow.It's importanttoconsiderseekinghelpwhen thesesignsandsymptomsoccur:
1.Incombinationwithoneanother
2.Lastlongerthanonemonth
3.Causessignificantdistress
4.Interferewithusualactivities,social relationships,andworkorschool performance.
Inaddition,it'scriticaltoseekhelp immediatelyifyouoralovedoneare experiencing:seriousthoughtsofsuicide, extremeparanoia,orauditoryorvisual hallucinations(seeingorhearingthings thatarenotthere).
Anxiety
Anxietydisordersareagroupofrelatedconditions,eachhavinguniquesymptoms.However, allanxietydisordershaveonethingincommon:persistent,excessivefearorworryin situationsthatarenotthreatening.Peopletypicallyexperienceoneormoreofthefollowing symptoms:
EmotionalSymptoms
Feelingsofapprehensionordread
Feelingtenseorjumpy
Restlessnessorirritability
Anticipatingtheworstandbeingwatchfulforsignsofdanger.
PhysicalSymptoms
Poundingorracingheartandshortnessofbreath
Sweating,tremors,ortwitches
Headaches,fatigue,andinsomnia
Upsetstomach,frequenturination,ordi
Causes Genetics Environment
Click here to learn even more.
Depression
DepressiveDisorder,frequentlyreferredtosimplyasdepression,ismorethanjustasadfeelingor goingthrougharoughpatch.It'saseriousmentalhealthconditionthatrequiresunderstanding andmedicalcare.Leftuntreated,depressioncanbedevastatingforthosewhohaveitandtheir families.
Symptoms
Changesinsleep
Changesinappetite
Lackofconcentration
Lossofenergy
Lackofinterestinactivities
Hopelessnessorguiltythoughts
Changesinmovement
Physicalachesandpains
Suicidalthoughts
Causes
Itisimportanttonotethatdepressiondoes nothaveasinglecause.Scientistsbelieve severalfactorscancontributetodepression.
Trauma
Genetics
LifeCircumstances
BrianChanges
OtherMedicalConditions
DrugandAlcoholMisuse
AttentionDeficitHyperactivityDisorder(ADHD)
Attentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder(ADHD)isaconditioncharacterizedbyinattention, hyperactivityandimpulsivity.ADHDismostcommonlydiagnosedinyoungpeople.Anestimated 8.8%ofchildrenaged4-17haveADHD.WhileADHDisusuallydiagnosedinchildhood,itdoesnot onlyaffectchildren.Anestimated4.4%ofadultsaged18-44haveADHD.
Withtreatment,peoplewithADHDcanbesuccessfulinschool,workandleadproductivelives.
Researchersareusingnewtoolssuchasbrainimagingtobetterunderstandtheconditionandto findmoreeffectivewaystotreatandpreventADHD.
SignsandSymptomsofinattentioncaninclude Becomingeasilydistractedandjumping quicklyfromactivitytoactivity Becomingboredwithtasksquickly Difficultyfocusingattentionorcompletinga singletaskoractivity StrugglingtoFollowDirectors
SignsandSymptomsofhyperactivitycaninclude Non-StopTalking Difficultydoingquiettasksoractivities Havingtroublesittingstill
Common Mental Health Challenges and Their Symptoms
Stress
Everyoneexperiencesstress.Sometimesitcanhelpyoufocusandgetthetaskathanddone.But whenstressisfrequentandintense,itcanstrainyourbodyandmakeitimpossibletofunction.
Findingeffectivewaystodealiscrucialtolivingwell.
Signsandsymptoms
Headaches
TroubleSleeping
JawPain
Changesinappetite
Frequentmoodswings
DifficultyConcentrating
Feelingoverwhelmed
LonelinessandIsolation
Lonelinessisacommonexperienceformanycollegestudents,especiallythoseadjustingtoanew environment,leavinghome,ornavigatingadifferentsociallandscape.Itisimportanttorecognize thatfeelinglonelyorisolateddoesn’tmeanthatthereisanythingwrongwithyou.Itisanatural partofthetransitiontocollege,butit’simportanttoaddressitforyouroverallwell-being.
SignsandSymptoms
Feelingdisconnectedorlikeyoudon’tbelong
Avoidingsocialsituationsorwithdrawingfromothers
Experiencingsadness,emptiness,orlackofenergy
Click here to learn even more.
Strugglingtofindmeaningfulconnectionsorfeelingmisunderstood
GriefandLoss
Asyoubeginyourcollegejourney,youmayencounterloss whetheritisleavinghome,thedeath ofalovedone,orchangesinyourpersonalrelationships.Griefisanatural,personalexperience thatcanaffectpeopleinmanydifferentways,oftenwithoutwarning.
SignsandSymptoms
Feelingsofsadnessorevennumbness
Difficultyconcentratingorfeeling“foggy”anddisconnectedfromyoursurroundings
Changesinsleepandappetite
Feelingsofanger,guilt,orregret
Click here to learn even more.
SubstanceMisuse
Substanceusedisorders—therepeatedmisuseofalcoholand/ordrugs—oftenoccur simultaneouslyinindividualswithmentalillness,usuallytocopewithoverwhelmingsymptoms. Thecombinationofthesetwoillnesseshasitsownterm:dualdiagnosis,orco-occurringdisorders. Eitherdisorder(substanceuseormentalillness)candevelopfirst.AccordingtotheNational SurveyonDrugUseandHealth,17millionU.S.adultsexperiencedbothmentalillnessanda substanceusedisorderin2020.
Symptomscaninclude
Withdrawalfromfriendsandfamily
Suddenchangesinbehavior
Engaginginriskybehaviors
Developingahightoleranceandwithdrawalsymptoms
Feelinglikeyouneedadrugtobeabletofunction
DisorderedEating
Whenyoubecomesopreoccupiedwithfoodandweightissuesthatyoufinditharderandharder tofocusonotheraspectsofyourlife,itmaybeanearlysignofaneatingdisorder.Without treatment,eatingdisorderscantakeoveraperson’slifeandleadtoserious,potentiallyfatal medicalcomplications.Eatingdisorderscanaffectpeopleofanyageorgender,butratesare higheramongwomen.Symptomscommonlyappearinadolescenceandyoungadulthood.
SignsandSymptoms
DenyingHunger
RefusaltoEat
Practicingbingeeatingorpurgingbehaviors
Types of Therapy
Notalltypesoftherapyarethesame,andwhatworkswellforonepersonmaynotbeaseffective foranother.Differentapproachescatertodifferentneeds,sofindingtherightfitiskey.
CognitiveBehaviorTherapy
Cognitivebehavioraltherapy(CBT)focusesonexploringrelationshipsamongaperson’sthoughts,feelings,and behaviors.DuringCBT,atherapistwillactivelyworkwithapersontouncoverunhealthypatternsofthoughtandhow theymaybecausingself-destructivebehaviorsandbeliefs.Byaddressingthesepatterns,thepersonandtherapist canworktogethertodevelopconstructivewaysofthinkingthatwillproducehealthierbehaviorsandbeliefs.
DialecticalBehaviorTherapy
DBTisheavilybasedonCBTwithonebigexception:itemphasizesvalidation,oracceptinguncomfortablethoughts, feelings,andbehaviorsinsteadofstrugglingwiththem.Byhavinganindividualcometotermswiththetroubling thoughts,emotions,orbehaviorsthattheystrugglewith,changenolongerappearsimpossible,andtheycanwork withtheirtherapisttocreateagradualplanforrecovery.
PsychoanalyticalTherapy
Theprimaryassumptionofpsychoanalysisisthebeliefthatallpeoplepossessunconsciousthoughts,feelings, desires,andmemories.Psychoanalytictherapyaimstocreatetherightsortofconditionssothatthepatientcan bringtheseconflictsintotheconsciousmind,wheretheycanbeaddressedanddealtwith.
Interested in learning more?
Believeitornot,there’slotsmorethanthesetolearnabout!Clickheretolearnaboutevenmoretypesof therapy.
Navigating a Mental Health Crisis
Whenamentalhealthcrisisstrikes,itcanfeelisolatingandoverwhelming—butyouarenot alone,andtherearestepsyoucantaketoregaincontrol.Whetheryou’reexperiencingintense anxiety,depression,panic,orthoughtsofself-harm,knowinghowtorespondcanmakeallthe difference.Withtherighttoolsandsupport,youcanmovethroughthisdifficulttimetoward stabilityandhealing.
Warning Signs
Recognizingthesignsofacrisis
Troublewithdailytaskslikebathing,brushingteeth,and changingclothes
Strugglingtocompleteacademicresponsibilities(going toclass,doinghomework,passingclasses).
Suddenandextremechangesinmood
Abusivebehaviortoselfandothers,includingsubstance abuseorself-harm.
Isolation
SymptomsofPsychosis(e.g,difficultyrecognizingfamily orfriends,hearingvoices,seeingthingsthataren’tthere)
Paranoia
Sleepingtoomuchortoolittle.
Suicidal Thoughts
Thoughtsofsuicideandself-harmcanbefrightening.Butbyreachingoutforhelporcheckinginwithfamily,we canavoiddevastatingoutcomes.
WarningSigns
Increasedalcoholanddruguse
AggressiveBehavior
Withdrawalfromfamilyandfriends
DramaticMoodSwings
Impulsiveandrecklessbehavior
Givingawaypossessions
Sayinggoodbyetofamilyandfriends
Crisis Resources
CrisisTextLine:TextHOMEto741741
TextHOMEto741741fromanywhereintheUnitedStates–24/7,free,confidential.Alive,trainedvolunteer CrisisCounselorreceivesthetextandresponds,allfromoursecureonlineplatform.ThevolunteerCrisis Counselorwillhelpyoumovefromahotmomenttoacoolcalm.
TheNAMITeen&YoungAdult(TYA)HelpLine:Call1-800-950-6264orchat“Friend”to62640
TheNAMITeen&YoungAdult(TYA)HelpLineisuniquelyyours.Itisafree,confidentialnationwidepeersupportservicethatprovidesone-on-oneemotionalsupport,mentalhealthinformationandresources neededtotackleyourtoughchallenges.AvailableMondayThroughFriday,10:00AM-10:00PMET.
LoveisRespectNationalTeenDatingAbuseHelpline:
Text“LOVEIS”to22522,call866.331.9474, orlivechatonline.
Weofferconfidentialsupportforteens,youngadults,andtheirlovedonesseeking resources,orinformationrelatedtohealthyrelationshipsanddatingabuseintheU
TheNationalDomesticAbuseHotline1-800-799-7233
24/365,theNationalDomesticViolenceHotlineprovidesessentialtoolsandsuppo helpsurvivorsofdomesticviolencesotheycanlivetheirlivesfreeofabuse.Conta toTheHotlinecanexpecthighly-trained,expertadvocatestoofferfree, confidential,andcompassionatesupport,crisisinterventioninformation, education,andreferralservicesinover200languages.
TheTrevorProject'sTrevorLifeline866-488-7386ortextSTARTto678-678
OurtrainedcounselorsunderstandthechallengesLGBTQ+youngpeoplefaceand areavailableforsupport24/7.Theywilllistenwithoutjudgment.Whenyoutext,ch orcall,allofyourconversationsareconfidential,andyoucanshareasmuchoras littleasyou’dlike.
TransLifeline:877-565-8860
Apeersupportphoneservicerunbytranspeopleforthetranscommunity,thatoperatesfrom10amto 5amEST.
TheNationalSexualAssaultHotline800-656-4673
RAINNisthenation'slargestanti-sexualviolenceorganization.RAINNcreatedandoperatestheNational SexualAssaultHotlineinpartnershipwithmorethan1,000localsexualassaultserviceprovidersacrossthe country.Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowhasbeensexuallyassaulted,helpisavailable.
1in6
Themissionof1in6istohelpmenwhohavehadunwantedorabusivesexualexperienceslive healthier,happierlives.Thesamehotlineshouldbeused,butthiswebsiteoffersspecificresources formen.
Therapy FAQs
Coping Techniques and Resources
Journaling
Journalingcanbeapowerfultoolformanagingstressandanxiety.
Writingdownyourfeelingsallowsyoutoexpressyourselffreely, reducementalclutter,andidentifypatternsthatmaybecontributing tostress.
Meditation
Meditationisaneffectivepracticetohelpcalmthemind,reducestress,andimprove overallwell-being.Byfocusingonyourbreath,thoughts,andsurroundings,meditation encouragesmindfulness.Watchthevideobelowtolearnmoreabouthowitworks.
Headspace for Students
General Resources
TransitioningtoCollege
Youworkedhardtogethere.Youshouldbeproudofyourself, andknowthereisauniverseofinformation,resources,and peoplereadytohelpyoumakeyourcollegeadjustment smoothandsupported.Clickhereforhelpwiththingslike beingafirst-genstudent,learningtobalancenewandold friendships,howtoprepareforatest,navigatingcampus resources,andmore.
Relationships101
MentalHealthLiteracy
MentalHealthLiteracyPyramidExplained
TheImportanceofLifeBalanceDuringCollegeYears: TipsforSuccess
8DimensionsofWellbeing
HowtoDealWithHomesicknessinCollege
10PowerfulTEDTalksaboutmentalhealth
NAMIIllinois
Wellness Guide Video Library
View
Conclusion
Yourpost-secondaryjourneyisanexcitingtimeof growth,learning,andnewexperiences butitcanalso comewithchallenges.Prioritizingyourmentalwellbeingisjustasimportantasacademicsuccess.By buildinghealthyhabits,seekingsupportwhenneeded, andpracticingself-care,youaresettingyourselfupfor astrong,balancedfuture.
Remember,youarenotalone.Whetherthroughfriends, family,mentors,ormentalhealthprofessionalsand yourHopeChicagofamily,therearepeoplewhocare aboutyouandwanttosupportyoursuccess.
Thiswellnessguideisintendedtoprovidepractical, evidence-informedsupportforourcommunity.Asbest practicesevolveandnewguidancebecomes available,wewillcontinuetoreviseandimprovethis documenttoreflectthemostcurrentknowledgeand needs.Wewelcomefeedbackandremaincommitted tocontinuouslearningandadaptation.
