Mental Wellness

Mental Wellness Healthy Lifestyle Substance Safety Sexual Health

Have a concern? Feeling stuck? Don’t know how to help a friend?

There are some common problems that college students face and they don’t often know where to go for help. Read about any of the concerns below to learn more about them and where you can go for help at Florida Atlantic.

People looking distressed with hands on their head

Conflict with Peers, Being Bullied or Harassed

Do you find yourself in frequent arguments with people? Do you feel like you are being picked on or disrespected? Do you feel powerless in relationships?
A person with their back turned in the sunset

Feeling Isolated and Lonely

Meeting others through activities can be helpful when isolated and lonely.
A person crouched down with their forehead resting on their knees

Thoughts of Harming Self or Others

Do you sometimes wish you weren’t here? Do you wish you did not have to deal with life?
A person face down on a table with a bottle in their hand

Problems with Drinking or Drug Use

Have you missed class, work, or other important activities because of drinking or drug use? Have you done things you regret because of drinking or drug use?
People looking distressed with hands on their head

Anxiety or Frequent Worry

Do you feel on edge or panicky? Is it hard to calm your mind and focus? Do you feel physical tension in your body or like you just can’t relax?
A person face down on a table with a bottle in their hand

Health (Physical, Sexual and Mental)

Do you have a health condition you are trying to understand or manage effectively? Do you have new or worsening physical or emotional symptoms?
A person face down on a table with a bottle in their hand

Physical or Sexual Assault

Are you a victim of physical or sexual assault? Are you in a relationship that you or others worry might be abusive?
A person face down on a table with a bottle in their hand

Worried About a Friend or Changes in a Friend's Behavior

Have you noticed a friend is spending a lot of time alone? Is a friend missing class, work or other responsibilities? Have you noticed a friend is more irritable or sad?
People looking distressed with hands on their head

Conflict with Peers, Being Bullied or Harassed

Do you find yourself in frequent arguments with people? Do you feel like you are being picked on or disrespected? Do you feel powerless in relationships?

Dean of Students Office: The Dean of Students offers conflict resolution to students who want to work through a concern. www.fau.edu/dean
Housing and Residential Education: Residential Education Coordinators (RECs), Assistant Residential Education Coordinators (ARCs), and Resident Assistants (RAs) are trained to handle conflict resolution. If you are a residential student having issues with a roommate or another resident, consult with your RA. www.fau.edu/housing
Counseling & Psychological Services: Students can meet with a counselor at CAPS for an initial appointment. Based on your unique concerns and situation, your counselor might recommend individual therapy, group therapy, or relationship counseling. “Understanding Self and Other” groups can be particularly helpful for students looking to improve relationships with peers. www.fau.edu/counseling
Report a concern: www.fau.edu/report
To learn more and see safe & healthy relationships resources available to you, click here: Healthy Relationships (fau.edu)
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A person with their back turned in the sunset

Feeling Isolated and Lonely

Meeting others through activities can be helpful when isolated and lonely.

Campus Recreation offers clubs and intramural sports, group fitness classes, and outdoor adventures. www.fau.edu/campusrec
Owl Central: Explore different events happening on campus using the Owl Central website. fau.campuslabs.com/engage/events
The Women's Resource and Community Connection as a part of Owls Care Health Promotion provides a multifaceted approach to targeting the meaning & belonging, health & wellness, career preparedness, and student success of communities of women and other individuals at FAU. The WRCC helps to connect students with the services and resources they need to do their best. FAU - The Women's Resource and Community Connection
Counseling & Psychological Services: Students can meet with a counselor at CAPS for an initial appointment. Based on your unique concerns and situation, your counselor might recommend individual therapy or group therapy. “Understanding Self and Other” groups can be particularly helpful for students who struggle to make friends and connect with others. www.fau.edu/counseling
Student Accessibility Services Volunteer: Students can register to be a Volunteer Notetaker, Proctor, Reader, or Scribe. Descriptions of all volunteer opportunities are accessible through their link below. www.fau.edu/sas/about/volunteer
Students Advocating Volunteer Involvement (SAVI): The Student Government agency SAVI provides community service and leadership opportunities to all interested students. SAVI offers students the opportunity to coordinate volunteer events, on and off campus, to support the community and is based on the Boca Raton, Broward and Jupiter campuses. fau.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/savi
Best Buddies FAU: Best Buddies empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to be contributing members of society by providing opportunities and support in order to secure rewarding jobs, live independently, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. fau.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/bestbuddiesfau
Report a concern: www.fau.edu/report
To learn more and see mental health resources available to you, click here: Talk to a Therapist (fau.edu)
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A person crouched down with their forehead resting on their knees

Thoughts of Harming Self or Others

Do you sometimes wish you weren’t here? Do you wish you did not have to deal with life? Do you have thoughts of killing yourself? Do you have thoughts of seriously harming or killing someone?

If a student is in immediate risk of harm to self or others, students should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS): CAPS offers crisis services for students who need to be seen on an emergency basis. You may walk in to CAPS during business hours and be seen by the on-call counselor. After business hours, you can reach an on-call clinician by calling CAPS main number and following the appropriate prompts: 561-297-2277.

Students can meet with a counselor at CAPS for an initial appointment. Based on your unique concerns and situation, your counselor will make recommendations for you to get the support you need. www.fau.edu/counseling

CAPS Locations: www.fau.edu/counseling/appointments/make

Suicide Hotline Number: 988
Report a concern: www.fau.edu/report
To learn more and see mental health resources available to you, click here: Talk to a Therapist (fau.edu)
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A person face down on a table with a bottle in their hand

Problems with Drinking or Drug Use

Have you missed class, work, or other important activities because of drinking or drug use? Have you done things you regret because of drinking or drug use? Have other people expressed concern about your drinking or drug use?

Counseling & Psychological Services: CAPS provides consultations and recommendations to students who are struggling with substance abuse. Students who meet eligibility criteria can participate in individual or group therapy at CAPS for substance abuse. www.fau.edu/counseling

Owls Care Health Promotion:

  • BASICS/CASICS
    • BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students) is a program for students who want to explore their alcohol use in a judgement-free environment. It takes two sessions, typically 2 weeks apart, to complete the BASICS program.
    • CASICS (Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students) is a similar program geared towards assessing marijuana use.
    • www.fau.edu/owlscare/services/consultations
  • Smoking Cessation Resources: Community partners offer smoking cessation courses for FAU students, staff, and faculty. Please contact the Area Health Education Center at: www.eahectobacco.com

The Collegiate Recovery Community: The purpose of this organization is to create a safe and accepting community for people in recovery and people in support of the process of recovery. They also aim to minimize the stigma surrounding addiction by increased awareness: fau.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/collegiaterecoverycommunity

Report a concern: www.fau.edu/report

To learn more and see substance safety resources available to you, click here: Substance Safety (fau.edu)

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a person sitting on a brick platform with their head down

Anxiety or Frequent Worry

Do you feel on edge or panicky? Is it hard to calm your mind and focus? Do you feel physical tension in your body or like you just can’t relax?

Counseling & Psychological Services: Students can meet with a counselor at CAPS for an initial appointment. Based on your unique concerns and situation, your counselor might recommend individual therapy or group therapy. Understanding Self and Other, Mindfulness, or our Anxiety groups can be helpful for students who struggle with anxiety. www.fau.edu/counseling

Student Accessibility Services: SAS can provide academic accommodations to students who have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. www.fau.edu/sas

Student Health Services: SHS provides patient-centered high-quality healthcare to promote lifelong wellness. Student Health Services (fau.edu)

Report a concern: www.fau.edu/report

To learn more and see additional mental health resources available to you, click here: Talk to a Therapist (fau.edu)

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a doctor using a stethoscope on a patient

Health (Physical, Sexual and Mental)

Do you have a health condition you are trying to understand or manage effectively? Do you have new or worsening physical or emotional symptoms? Have you experienced a marked change in your physical, emotional, or sexual functioning?

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS): Students can meet with a counselor at CAPS for an initial appointment. Based on your unique concerns and situation, your counselor might recommend individual therapy or group therapy. www.fau.edu/counseling

Owls Care Health Promotion:

Student Health Services: SHS provides high quality healthcare, education and public health services to a diverse community to enhance student learning and promote lifelong success. Their services include primary & acute health care, sexual & reproductive health, LGBTQ+ care, a dental clinic, nutritional services, and psychiatric services. SHS is in-network with various medical and dental insurance plans. www.fau.edu/shs

Campus Recreation: For students wanting to improve their physical health, Campus Recreation offers individual fitness consultations, personal training, group fitness classes, outdoor adventures, club/intramural sports, and access to their equipment and facilities. www.fau.edu/campusrec

Report a concern: www.fau.edu/report

Visit Health and Wellness MyFAU to learn more and see resources available to you: Health and Wellness MyFAU

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a hand grabbing a person by the wrist

Physical or Sexual Assault

Are you a victim of physical or sexual assault? Are you in a relationship that you or others worry might be abusive? Have you experienced abuse or assault in the past and worry about how it is affecting you?

Counseling & Psychological Services: Students who are the victim of a recent assault can be seen at CAPS for an emergency appointment. You may walk in to CAPS during business hours and be seen by the on-call counselor. After business hours, you can reach an on-call clinician by calling CAPS main number and following the appropriate prompts: (561) 297-3540. Students also can meet with a counselor at CAPS for an initial appointment. Based on your unique concerns and situation, your counselor can make recommendations to get you help that you need. This might include individual or group therapy at CAPS. www.fau.edu/counseling

Student Health Services: Students in need of physical exams, injury help, emergency contraception, gynecological exams, and testing for sexually transmitted infections may make an appointment in the clinic. Services offered are low-cost and certain insurances are accepted. www.fau.edu/shs

Owls Care Health Promotion: OCHP offers resources, trainings, and events for the following topics:

  • It's On Us: A national campaign that strives to raise awareness on campus sexual assault across the nation through prevention, education, and programs, FAU hosts It’s On Us as part of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April): www.fau.edu/campuslife/itsonus
  • Domestic Violence Awareness: Nationally recognized every year in October, FAU hosts an incredible week of events, resources, education, and fun as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month: www.fau.edu/campuslife/dva

Dean of Students - Victim Services: Victim Services can act as a liaison between a student and FAU and provides assistance in exploring campus resources to meet students’ needs. www.fau.edu/dean/victimservices

Report a concern: www.fau.edu/report

To learn more about additional safe and healthy relationship resources, click here: Healthy Relationships (fau.edu)

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a hand grabbing a person by the wrist

Worried About a Friend or Changes in a Friend's Behavior

Have you noticed a friend is spending a lot of time alone? Is a friend missing class, work or other responsibilities? Have you noticed a friend is more irritable or sad?

Counseling & Psychological Services: Students can meet with a counselor at CAPS for a consultation. During this appointment, you can learn about resources and how you can talk to your friend. www.fau.edu/counseling

Kognito is a free online interactive training to help students identify warning signs, develop communication skills, and learn how and where to refer students for help. kognitocampus.com/login

Owls Care Health Promotion: Tips on how to talk to a friend dealing with sexual assault, alcohol abuse, anger, depression, and disordered eating are all featured on the website: www.fau.edu/owlscare/caring_for_others/bystander_intervention

FAU Police Department: Students can request wellness checks from FAU PD's non-emergency line below: 561-297-3500 /  www.fau.edu/police

Housing & Residential Education: Students can also request wellness checks from Housing by visiting their website, or going to their building's RA (Resident Assistant) or Professional Staff member about potential wellness checks. www.fau.edu/housing

Dean of Students: The DOS can do a “welfare check” on students of concern. You may contact the DOS if you are concerned about a student and feel it would be helpful for the university to check in on their wellbeing. www.fau.edu/dean

Report a concern: www.fau.edu/report

To learn more about additional mental health resources, click here: Talk to a Therapist (fau.edu)

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