3 tips to help manage stress and tap into Oregon State’s services
Balancing your Oregon State University coursework with work, family and everything else in your life isn’t easy. Stress can build quickly, and when it does, knowing where to turn for support can make a real difference.
OSU Ecampus students can access a range of mental health and student support services online. Here are three tips to help you prioritize wellness and find support.
Tip 1: Explore your resources before you need them
Preventive measures are key when it comes to mental health, just as with physical health. When long-term stressors build up into an immediate emergency, it can become more challenging to identify effective strategies to address the problem.
“Really pay attention to your stress and what’s going on academically, socially and personally, and try not to wait until the last minute to ask for help,” said Marcey Bamba, the associate director of clinical services for OSU’s Counseling and Psychological Services. “See what your institution can offer you; understand the access that you have to resources here at Oregon State.”
Ecampus fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences advisor Susie Dunham suggests reaching out to an academic advisor or Ecampus success navigator at the first signs of difficulty as academic hardship can often amplify struggles with mental health or self-worth.
“It’s a matter of helping students break down what’s going on and asking them questions to pull out the key things that are getting in the way of school,” Dunham said.
In addition to connecting online students with mental health resources and acting as a pillar of support, advisors can also help students to identify course drop and withdrawal dates and other important information to save them time, money and emotional burden.
“Maybe they need to take a break or take a lighter load. Maybe they’re putting too much pressure on themselves. Sometimes they just need someone to give them permission to take a break and reassess,” Dunham said.
Immediate help when you need it
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24/7.
Tip 2: Explore several options to discover what works for you
Ecampus students living in Oregon can access face-to-face or limited distance counseling services through CAPS.
Ecampus students who live outside of Oregon are unable to receive ongoing counseling through OSU due to state licensing laws, but any Ecampus student can access free mental health assistance through TELUS Health or find a local provider through Thriving Campus. CAPS also maintains a list of mental health resources for students who don’t live in Oregon.
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Not sure where to start?
These OSU mental health resources can guide you toward a balanced life as an online student:
However, Bamba reminds students that counseling is just one of countless valuable mental healthcare options. Explore the resilience toolbox available through Oregon State and find what’s helpful for you.
“We have online self-help supports and wellness apps. You can work on modules on your own,” Bamba said. “Students don’t need to pay the health fee to access any of our online services. We will do our best to help them where they’re at.”
Tip 3: Connect with a community, no matter where you are
While many online students live with others and are involved in their local communities, a student’s support system benefits greatly from the presence of peers who share and can empathize with their university experience.
Engage with classmates and instructors live whenever possible, both in and out of the classroom. Try using phone or video conferencing to complete group projects or check in with faculty through virtual office hours.
You can also get involved with peers both on and off campus by joining a student community or organization and connecting with fellow classmates on the Ecampus Learning Community site in Canvas.
“My hope is that there is an opportunity for these students to have other ways to support each other, other than in the classroom setting. A sense of belonging is critical – research supports that,” said Bamba. “Create family, social supports around you in your area and virtually with your other classmates.”
Oregon State Ecampus provides nationally recognized support for students, no matter where they are. Find out more about learning online with Oregon State.
