Parent to Parent
By Mary Jane Dellafiora, Aggie Parent and Family Council Member
Tis the Season to be jolly… and stressed out, overwhelmed and (possibly) depressed. Aggie life offers plenty of upbeat diversion during this time of year as Fall Quarter draws to a close. Students gather their resources to prepare for finals, while grabbing temporary relief from academic toil at festive study breaks and gatherings. Now and throughout the year, UC Davis also offers Health and Wellness services that address its community members’ physical and mental health. Both students and their parents should be aware of the assistance that UC Davis offers. This short article provides some gateway information where they can begin to search for help for a multitude of challenges that students experience during this exciting, worrisome and rewarding time away from home.
A few quick clicks and students can access the Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) web page through their “myucdavis” homepage (my.ucdavis.edu). The page prominently features a list of “myQuicklinks,” the first of which is “Health and Wellness” that leads to the SHCS website.
It is helpful for parents to be familiar with services at SHCS, as well as available Campus Resources. This way if your student needs a certain type of assistance, you will have some basic understanding of the University system and what is available for students. Parents can access this information about medical and mental health concerns, including self-help resources, by accessing the counseling and wellness sections on the SHCS website https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/home. (If parents have any questions or concerns, they also can contact SHCS at (530) 752-2300 and follow the prompts.)
Anyone can click on “Counseling Services,” at the top ribbon of the SHCS homepage and access the multitude of services offered by UC Davis, whether or not students are in crisis, or simply wish to stay healthy through their ever-changing collegiate experience.
By clicking on the button that says “In Crisis? Text “RELATE” to 741741,” SHCS Counseling Services page sends you to a description of the immediate methods of receiving counseling assistance:
The page directs that the immediate method for an acute emergency is to dial 911 and describes how to find an emergency room. It also goes on to describe what one might consider a “crisis.”
The page describes the Crisis Text Line, a free, immediate and confidential resource that is available 24/7. Students can access this by texting “RELATE to 741741” from anywhere in the US. This provides access to a trained Crisis Counselor via text (which is what for many students is their most used and comfortable means of communication.)
The page also provides telephone numbers for assistance:
Medical and Mental Health: 530-752-2300
(After hours Counseling Services consultation: 530-752-2349)
Campus Police: 530-752-1230
The Counseling Services web page has detailed links that help students describe their concerns and challenges and suggests methods to access support, including online and personal appointments, workshops and groups.
The SHCS homepage also has links to Wellness Services and that page includes access to topical articles and blog entries. On a seasonally pertinent note, they have information on managing stress during finals week and at other times.
The students may say “they got this.” But if a student (or a parent) feels that is not the case at any time of the year, please explore the SHCS offerings and how they might help you and yours. Your students may not be totally “jolly,” as they prepare for exams. But they can attempt to be calm, in control and content. These services may help them maintain their health throughout the school terms and beyond and not just at this “most wonderful time of the year.