Mental Health Resources
Image: Students walking on campus in the fall
Mental health can range from mental illnesses to anxiety and depression to coping mechanisms and more. The aim of this page is to connect students with resources covering the typical mental health issues that may arise in college students.
Phone: 330.569.5418
Location: Corner of Peckham and Hinsdale, across from the Pendleton House
Kevin Feisthamel: Director of Counseling, Health & Disability Services
Phone: 330.569.5952
Email: feisthamelKP@hiram.edu
Fisher All-Faith Chapel:
Rev. Chris McCreight: College Chaplain
Phone: 330.569.6094
Email: MccreightCJ@hiram.edu
Active Minds, 2019-2020
Advisor: Kevin Feisthamel, Michelle Nario-Redmond & Elena Fox
President: Aliyah Benson & Amber Davis
Active Minds: Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. We are dedicated to saving lives and to building stronger families and communities. Through education, research, advocacy, and a focus on young adults ages 14–25, Active Minds is opening up the conversation about mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued in the United States.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Founded in 1979, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice, and research.
CDC-Mental Health: Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
The Jed Foundation: Transitioning into adulthood can bring big changes and intense challenges. The Jed Foundation (JED) empowers teens and young adults with the skills and support to grow into healthy, thriving adults.
Mental Health America: MHA’s work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need it; with recovery as the goal. MHA’s programs and initiatives fulfill its mission of promoting mental health and preventing mental illness through advocacy, education, research and services. MHA’s national office and its 200+ affiliates and associates around the country work every day to protect the rights and dignity of individuals with lived experience and ensure that peers and their voices are integrated into all areas of the organization.
Mental Health First Aid: Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.
National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
National Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders: NCEED is the nation’s first center of excellence dedicated to eating disorders. Founded in 2018 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, our mission is to advance education and training of healthcare providers and to promote public awareness of eating disorders and eating disorder treatment.
Mental Health in College (article): Going to college is a dream for millions of Americans, yet those with psychiatric disabilities may question if it’s even a possibility. While mental illness may add extra considerations to the process of attending college, there are many options available to turn this goal into a reality. Current college students utilize campus mental health services more than any generation before them, showing that students are taking charge of their mental health and that colleges have services in place to help. In this guide, learn more about common mental illnesses, support systems, and how to request accommodations.
Promoting Student Mental Health (article): Being a student is stressful, but trying to juggle school work and other responsibilities while experiencing mental illness can make it even harder. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately one in five youth aged 13–18 live with mental health conditions and approximately 75 percent of people with mental health issues develop them prior to the age of 24. Mental health conditions can feel debilitating and scary, making some learners retreat inward rather than seek help. Students, parents, and educators looking for information can find many resources in this guide to help them live their best lives.
Coping mechanisms are strategies that people use when faced with stress and/or trauma in order to manage painful or difficult emotions. The Following are a few different mechanisms that tend to help. It’s important to remember that not everything will help you and that’s ok! Don’t be discouraged because something that helps your friend doesn’t help you, everyone is different.
- Guided meditation is offered at the Fisher All-Faith Chapel on Hiram’s campus
- Yoga is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Coleman Center on Hiram’s campus
- Reading and self-monitoring yourself. Being introspective and spending time each day to reflect on yourself is a great way to help with stress or to find solutions to different problems you may be facing
- Schedule time for relaxation. Similar to self-monitoring, setting time aside to do things that you are interested in (and are not related to school or work) is important for your mental health
- Spending time with friends. Even just having someone with you as you’re writing an essay or reading through an assignment can help
The following are other sites that have more coping mechanisms:
Alphabet Stress Management and Coping Skills: This is a PDF listing different coping mechanisms from A-Z
Coping Mechanisms: This is an article listing a few coping mechanisms along with meanings behind both the strategies and the different styles
Coping Mechanisms for Dealing With Uncomfortable Emotions: This is an article that has both emotion-focused and problem-focused strategies
Coping Skills Worksheets: This is an article containing more than 60 listed coping mechanisms along with printable worksheets for a variety of different mental health illnesses
Whether you are anxious about an upcoming assignment, are dealing with familial issues, or something else, anxiety can feel overwhelming and it can weigh you down. The coping mechanisms listed about are great for helping with anxiety (among other things), but the following are some that help specifically with panic attacks or decreasing anxiety.
- 5-4-3-2-1: This technique is meant to take you through the 5 senses to remind you of the present. List 5 things you can see around you, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste
- Writing in a journal: This is a great way for you to work through your day and reflect on life around you. It can also be helpful to just get the anxious thoughts out of your head
- Bullet journalling: The same as writing in a journal in a “traditional way” bullet journalling helps you reflect on your day and process events or emotions
- Cutting back on caffeine intake: Caffeine is a stimulant, meaning it can increase your heartbeat and blood pressure while also helping you stay awake
- Aromatherapy: Either by candle, oil or incense, scents like lavender and chamomile are thought to help activate certain receptors in your brain.
- 4-7-8 Breathing: Controlled breathing in general is a great way to help quiet anxious thoughts. This technique in particular is done by doing the following: Inhale through your nose while counting to 4, hold your breath while counting to 7, then exhale through your mouth while counting to 8.
There are a number of different types of depression and how it affects each person can vary greatly. Two of the most common forms are Major Depressive Disorder (formally known as clinical depression) and Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Similar to the anxiety section, the coping mechanisms below are helpful for those suffering from depression, but the ones listed above may work for you as well.
- Exercise: Even just walking or jogging can release endorphins which are proven to help calm the effects of depression
- Investing in a Light Box: This can be used to counteract SAD, as the light box emits artificial sunlight
- Spending time in nature: Taking a hike or walking around a park can help boost mood and self-esteem
- Omega-3 rich foods: Omega-3 is a fatty acid that can help increase serotonin levels. Some examples of foods rich in omega-3 are fish, walnuts, chia seeds, and soybeans
- Sticking to a schedule/make plans: This is something that can keep your motivation up, help you feel more productive and boost self-esteem
In general, when coping with depression, try to keep your stress in check, aim for 8 hours of sleep, eat regular meals and reach out to those who are about you. Don’t force yourself to do things, as that can make it worse, and seek help when you need to. As stated before, needing help doesn’t make you weak and more importantly, you are never a lost cause.
If the situation is potentially life-threatening, call 911
If you are in crisis and need to talk to someone at any time, day or night, whether you feel suicidal or not, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.8255). They can provide free confidential support in a variety of crisis situations, including immediate suicidal crisis, and they can provide general information about mental health.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
Crisis Textline: Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line trains volunteers to support people in crisis. Text “HOME” to 741-741
National Domestic Violence Hotline: We answer the call to support and shift power back to those affected by relationship abuse. Call 1.800.799.7233 or Text LOVEIS to 22522
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Phone: 1.800.273.8255
Suicide Prevention Resource Center: The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is the only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. TrevorText: Text START to 678678 TrevorLifeline: 1.866.488.7386
Online
7 cups: Free, anonymous, confidential conversations with trained active listeners. No matter who you are or what you’re going through, this is a place where you’ll be heard and cared for. We might be strangers on the surface, but underneath we’re just the friends you haven’t met yet.
Pride Counseling: Whether you are struggling with mental health issues, your identity, or just need someone to talk to, we believe help should be accessible to everyone. We noticed that individuals in the LGBTQ community suffer from mental health issues at a disproportionately high rate and we wanted to help. By providing online counseling to the LGBTQ community, we make help accessible and accepting of everyone. We provide a platform for people to get the help they need discreetly, affordably, and conveniently. Message your counselor whenever an issue arises. Schedule sessions that work with your schedule.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
In Person
The process of finding a therapist or psychiatrist can seem daunting, but often it proves to be the most helpful thing when coping with mental illnesses. The best way to do this is by going to your insurance’s website or calling your provider. You can also visit or email Dr. Kevin for recommendations or help searching.
It’s ok if you see someone and then decide they aren’t the right fit for you. This is your mental health and finding someone you feel comfortable talking to, can afford, and can provide you the care you need is the one of, if not the, most important part of the process.
If you’re thinking about medication, it’s important to know that therapists and psychologists cannot prescribe medication. You will need to talk to a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner or a doctor in order to be prescribed meds.
The following are a few other sites that may help you along.
Good Therapy – Therapist: This site allows you to search for a therapist by state or by zip code. After finding one, you can call the office to check if they take your insurance.
Good Therapy – Psychologist: Same as above, this is a different link to the same site allowing you to search by state or zip code for a psychologist.
How to Find the Right Therapist for You (article): This article covers questions to ask a prospective therapist as well as some information about the different types of therapy.
Applications (iOS and Android)
Breathe2Relax: This is a portable stress management tool. It provides detailed information on how stress affects the body and helps users learn how to manage stress using diaphragmatic breathing. It’s available on iOS and Android devices.
MindShift CBT: Designed to help gain insight into anxiety disorders, this app provides information about: generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and panic attacks as well as tips for developing coping strategies. It’s available on iOS and Android devices.
SAM (Self Help for Anxiety Management): This app provides a range of self-help methods for those wanting to manage their anxiety. It’s available on iOS and Android devices.
TalkSpace: This app seeks to make therapy more accessible. It connects users to licensed therapists using a messaging platform. Connection to a therapist is set up as a subscription service starting at $65/week, billed monthly. You can change therapists or stop subscription renewal at any time It also provides access to public therapy forums. It’s available to download on iOS and Android devices.
