A newsletter for the students, faculty and staff of the Collin County Community College District. Published monthly. For information or submissions, call 972.599.3142. Cougar News welcomes student and faculty submissions. Next deadline: Oct. 10 All submissions are due by 5 p.m. on the due date. Photos cannot be returned. Text should be emailed to mrobinson@ccccd.edu or sent on disk. Please submit copy that is proofed, edited and saved in Word format. Cougar News staff: Lisa Vasquez, director; Mark Robinson, editor; Marcy Cadena-Smith, contributor; Sydney Portilla-Diggs, campus correspondent; Stephanie Hall, student correspondent; Tatiana Shehadeh, special contributor; Nick Young, photography and layout
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A change in life could mean a change in mood -- Cougar screening can help
College changes everything, and while it is a very exciting time, it can also be overwhelming and stressful. Both starting and returning to college are big transitions, and it can take a while for your head to catch up with your new life.
Mental health is a chief concern on college campuses, and in fact, according to a recent national college health survey, 10 percent of college students have been diagnosed with depression. In order to help students cope, Counseling Services at Collin is now offering free, anonymous screenings for a range of common emotional concerns.
“Students need to understand that depression and anxiety are not character flaws or personal weaknesses. They are concerns that are highly responsive to treatment. If you have not been feeling like yourself lately, you should come and take a free, anonymous screening at Spring Creek Campus, Room C225, Preston Ridge Campus, Rooms F116 or 117 Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 4-5, or Central Park Campus, Room A221 Thursday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.,” Linda Qualia, director of counseling, said.
If you are feeling sad and angry, weepy and tired, can’t stop worrying, are having nightmares, yo-yo between being elated and being down, or know someone who is, “Cougar” Screening can help you figure out what is wrong. Counseling Services will be offering free, confidential screenings for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. At the screening, you can fill out a questionnaire and talk with a counselor one-on-one about your personal situation. Even if you don’t have a mood or anxiety disorder and are just going through a couple of bad days, you are invited to come take advantage of the program and learn about what services are available on campus. You may learn something that will help you or a friend in the future.
Common stressors in college life include:
• Greater academic demands
• Changes in family relations
• Financial responsibilities
• Changes in your social life
• Exposure to new people, ideas and temptations
• Awareness of your sexual identity and orientation
• Preparing for life after graduation
Call Counseling Services at 972-881-5126 for more information.
In addition, to access free, 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week, year-round online screening for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, visit www.ccccd.edu/cs/currentstudents.html click on student services and counseling and then click on “online help then online screenings.”
Once you take an online screening you receive immediate feedback about your score and referral information to campus resources if needed, based on the screening. It may be the easiest multiple choice experience of your college career.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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