Mental health has a direct impact on academic success and it is important to cultivate practices that support mental wellness. When mental health is overlooked, it can have detrimental effects on the individual and the community. 1 in 4 adults live with a mental health disorder. 1,100 college students die by suicide each year and regretfully, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for college students. But there is hope.

Objective: Raise awareness about the mental health continuum, reduce stigma associated with mental illness, promote help seeking behaviors and mental wellness practices, and prevent suicide through individual education and outreach events.

Mental Health Awareness Consultations

Mental Health Awareness consultations consist of 30-60 minute one-on-one confidential appointments. Please call 949-824-9355 to make an appointment.  You can also email Mental Health Awareness Manager, Jasmine A. Blackburn (jablackb@uci.edu) for more information.

Consultation Topics:

  • Learn about:
    • Mental Health Continuum (from general mental wellness to mental illness/disorders)
    • Stigma Reduction and Breaking Barriers to Promote Help Seeking Behaviors
    • Mental Wellness Practices
    • Mental Health Awareness Advocacy
  • Develop goals:
    • Self Awareness (recognize adaptive vs. maladaptive behaviors, identify triggers, etc.)
    • Design a Plan (change/maintain healthy behaviors, referral to counseling and treatment resources)
  • Create self efficacy:
    • Be informed- educate yourself on mental health issues most impacting college students
    • Be proactive- implement protective factors such as yoga, deep breathing, regular physical activity, effective communication, etc.
    • Be an advocate- fight the stigma surrounding mental health issues
  • Take action:
    • Pledge to be a Stigma Fighter
    • Support policy/institutional change to support College Mental Health
    • Join Active Minds chapter at UCI

Mental Health Awareness materials are available to students and campus groups/organizations to aid in program development.

Workshops

Are you interested in scheduling an interactive mental health education workshop for a group of 12 or more? Behind Happy Faces is a mental health awareness curriculum especially designed to equip college students with the tools to help them navigate the mental health continuum to support academic success and promote life skills. Email jablackb@uci.edu for more information.

Online Tools

Resources

UCI Counseling Center

Active Minds

  • National campus-wide club that is fighting the stigma against mental health
  • Provide facts and encourage help-seeking

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

  • Know the warning signs of emotional pain or suicidal thoughts
  • Call lifeline if you are in a crisis or have concern about someone

National Institute of Mental Health 1-866-615-6464

ReachOut USA

Text: REACHOUT to 1-877-877

  • A “…non-profit organization that meets youth where they are to deliver peer support and mental health information in a safe and supportive online space.”