{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-article-tsx","path":"/justinmentalhealth","result":{"data":{"primeArticle":{"slug":"justin.mentalhealth","excerpt":"Transitioning to Bruin life can be difficult – and with COVID-19 exacerbating mental health issues, campus organizations are adapting to support new students.","headline":"Mental Health amid Global Health","author":"Justin Huwe","authorbio":"","authoremail":"","authortwitter":"","coverimg":"https://assets3.dailybruin.com/images/justin.mentalhealth/newmentalhealth2-5d99cf890f1a2b6eec78b4ad6f102a33.jpg","covercred":"Nghi Nguyen","coveralt":"Illustration by Nghi Nguyen","articleType":"article","updated":null,"content":[{"type":"text","value":"Long before COVID-19, the rise of social distancing and the downfall of sit-in dining halls, UCLA students like Rithana Srikanth still felt lonely as they transitioned to college life."},{"type":"text","value":"“I knew for sure that I wasn’t the only freshman feeling that way,” said Srikanth, a third-year neuroscience and psychology student. “But nobody really talks about it because everybody wants to present the image of having that fun college experience.”"},{"type":"text","value":"And the spread of COVID-19 is likely to exacerbate existing mental health issues, as social distancing guidelines have increased anxiety and feelings of isolation for many."},{"type":"text","value":"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pandemics can lead to increased concern about your own health and the health of your loved ones, as well as increased financial stress and substance use."},{"type":"text","value":"Isolation may also lead to the loss of support systems and routines needed by those already experiencing mental health issues like eating disorders, warns the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School."},{"type":"text","value":"Freshmen and transfer students entering UCLA this fall are facing unprecedented adjustments amid the pandemic. In response, mental health organizations are developing their online efforts in order to make resources more accessible for new students."},{"type":"pull","value":"{\"caption\":\"Isolation may also lead to the loss of support systems and routines needed by those already experiencing mental health issues like eating disorders.\"}"},{"type":"text","value":"The desire to talk about an often avoided topic and to help others also experiencing mental health issues led Srikanth to join Wazo Connect at the end of her freshman fall quarter. She is now co-president of the organization, which pairs trained student mentors with mentees so they can discuss their mental health and support one another. Mentorships last for six weeks and are complemented with four Wazo wellness activities per quarter."},{"type":"text","value":"Like most UCLA organizations, Wazo transitioned online in the spring because of the coronavirus. Nevertheless, digital mentorships have continued, though not without some hiccups."},{"type":"text","value":"“The internet connection kept dying, which is frustrating because it breaks the experience,” Srikanth said. “But you’re still able to build a connection with your mentee.”"},{"type":"text","value":"The group’s wellness activities have also continued despite the pandemic, including a virtual tour of the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden and a virtual aromatherapy session via Instagram Live. The latter featured a specialist who had scents with her and described them to promote a sense of relaxation, Srikanth said."},{"type":"image","value":"{\"alt\":\"Illustration by Nghi Nguyen\",\"url\":\"https://assets3.dailybruin.com/images/justin.mentalhealth/newmentalhealth1-7e0c4239e00a80dbb7bba08a66b0a63e.png\",\"credit\":\"Nghi Nguyen\",\"caption\":\"\"}"},{"type":"text","value":"Wazo is planning more events for the fall, like mental health webinars with a licensed psychologist, she said. These events are aimed at helping students de-stress while they navigate online college, perhaps for the first time."},{"type":"text","value":"“Loneliness is something every single college student has experienced in one form or another, and I think it’s going to hit much harder this academic year,” Srikanth said."},{"type":"text","value":"According to Active Minds, a national mental health advocacy group with an active branch at UCLA, “39% of students in college experience a significant mental health issue.” That’s approximately two in five students who may experience a variety of symptoms ranging from feelings of hopelessness and depression to changes in sleeping patterns and experiencing suicidal thoughts."},{"type":"pull","value":"{\"caption\":\"Loneliness is something every single college student has experienced in one form or another, and I think it’s going to hit much harder this academic year, Srikanth said.\"}"},{"type":"text","value":"Julianna Mora, a fourth-year psychology student, is leading Active Minds as co-executive director in extending its virtual advocacy efforts. More than ever, the group is relying on its website and social media to educate others, she said."},{"type":"text","value":"The club has been actively using its Instagram account to share resources with students, such as infographics about identifying mental illness and treating it in the new era of telemedicine. Posts also include a guide to navigating UCLA’s Counseling and Psychological Services as well as instructions on how to access Active Mind’s texting network, which directly sends mental health resources to students’ phones."},{"type":"text","value":"“We’re trying to add more casual things too, like songs that can help you if you want some motivational music, or if you want some helpful meditation podcasts,” Mora said."},{"type":"text","value":"In the fall, the club will be holding biweekly Zoom meetings like it did last quarter, she said. Meetings are divided into a general meeting, which often includes a guest speaker, and committee meetings."},{"type":"text","value":"Licensed clinical psychologists from CAPS and the Resilience In Your Student Experience Center frequently speak to Active Minds, Mora said. Members can then apply what they learn to their advocacy efforts, acting as a bridge between the student body and campus resources that may sometimes seem inaccessible, she added."},{"type":"text","value":"The RISE Center is a “holistic wellness hub” that operates as an affiliate and extension of CAPS to help students with everyday mental health maintenance, regardless of health insurance status."},{"type":"text","value":"“For the same reason you don’t just take care of your medical health on the same day of your routine physical, you don’t just take care of your mental health on the day of your CAPS appointment,” said Andrea Letamendi, the interim director of the RISE Center."},{"type":"text","value":"Typically, the RISE Center is located in the basement of Lu Valle Commons, but it has now transitioned fully online. Its website contains a virtual library of guided meditation tracks, self-care worksheets and Spotify playlists for both students and staff to utilize in the hopes of helping students through the pandemic, Letamendi said. Moreover, the RISE Center is offering weekly live programs via Zoom, such as “Meditation and Movement for Black Bruins,” which offers Black students a space to practice guided self-care."},{"type":"text","value":"“We want students to do more than just survive this period, we want them to thrive,” she said. “Resilience and coping is paramount to a student’s ability to have a positive experience as a Bruin.”"},{"type":"text","value":"In the spring, Letamendi created a short video series called “Coping with COVID-19.” In it, she tackles many of the pressing issues facing students during the pandemic, including psychological safety, adjusting to change and staying connected while social distancing."},{"type":"text","value":"In her video “Overcoming Feelings of Discouragement,” Letamendi says that discouragement is one of the biggest struggles students will face during remote education. She reminds students that they are not alone – that the coronavirus is ultimately temporary and it is important to find value outside of academics and practice being grateful every day."},{"type":"pull","value":"{\"caption\":\"We want to be authentic with them,” Letamendi said. “We don’t want to sugarcoat.”\"}"},{"type":"text","value":"To directly reach new students, the RISE Center has also partnered with UCLA Student Affairs to produce an 18-video welcome series for New Student Orientation called “Student Health and Well-Being at UCLA.” In the videos, students and staff provide advice for addressing the mental health challenges new students might face entering their virtual UCLA experience."},{"type":"text","value":"“We want to be authentic with them,” Letamendi said. “We don’t want to sugarcoat.”"},{"type":"text","value":"For incoming freshman and transfer students, the usual challenge of making a big school feel small will likely be harder, Srikanth said. She points to Facebook groups as the best way for new students to find a community right now, albeit a digital one. Although a digital community is admittedly different, it will be an important way for new students to feel connected and maintain mental wellness, she added."},{"type":"text","value":"“You do have to do a lot of work putting yourself out there and building your community at UCLA, because at a big school like UCLA, it doesn’t get built for you,” she said."}]}},"pageContext":{"term":"summer20","slug":"justin.mentalhealth"}},"staticQueryHashes":[]}