Young people transitioning from teens into adulthood have a critical need for connection and support. Research shows that creating and maintaining a support system of family and friends can lower stress, make life’s challenges easier to handle, and lower the risk for anxiety, depression and physical illness.
To help students thrive in times of uncertainty and change, UAB Student Counseling Services offers programs that inspire others to prioritize well-being in their own lives — and helpful tools that are easy for students to access.
Student Counseling Services — free for all UAB students — is available by appointment, via the Patient Portal or at 205-934-5816. Same-day crisis and next-day urgent appointments can be requested.
It is an opportunity to work one on one with licensed therapists to talk about their feelings, and talk about any hardship they are going through, says Tori Tookes, 27, of Birmingham, Alabama, who is working toward a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
“As a college student, we do have moments when we are very overwhelmed when it comes to prepping for tests or classwork,” Tookes said. “A lot of students take several classes and that can be very overwhelming, so the services they provide really help in a lot of ways and can relieve some of the mental stress of being a college student.”
Online resources and apps, available on demand, can help students build skills, learn more about themselves, and overcome fears and anxieties that may be holding them back in life. Learning about attachment styles, which can be based in childhood, or even a trauma-informed approach can be beneficial.
- Information about mental health plus UAB services and resources are available in the UABwell app, accessible on mobile devices.
- Students and employees can build a customizable, personalized self-care plan for their mental health and wellness goals, with a habit tracker to follow their progress.
- An integrated calendar shows all the campus mental health events, organizations and departments in one place.
- Videos on calm breathing techniques, relaxation and mindfulness exercises, yoga, and more are available.
- UAB students can connect via text with a live, trained crisis counselor at 741-741.
- Therapy Assistance Online is a self-help tool with more than 150 brief educational sessions. Common topics like stress, anxiety and more are covered, plus, sessions to grow skills in mental health, wellness and substance use issues. TAO’s interactive, on-demand sessions, mindfulness exercises and practice tools are all aimed at helping students achieve their goals.
- UAB’s Feel Your Best campaign promotes nine key behaviors that have been scientifically proved to help people feel their best, both physically and mentally. Most of these habits, like sleep, movement, and rest and relaxation, cost little to nothing — the biggest investment is making time to practice them regularly. Explore each behavior to discover helpful resources, learn about the benefits and reflect on your current habits.
- Student Assistance and Support provides individualized assistance to students experiencing challenges and connects them with university and community supports to address their needs.
- Promoters of Wellness is student-led peer coaching and wellness education addressing stress, academics and college life adjustments, in the Student Health and Wellness Center.
- The UAB CARES Suicide Prevention Initiative offers comprehensive and coordinated support, such as how to identify the risk factors for suicide and how to help someone in need.
- The UAB Enterprise Mental Health Advocate Program empowers people to identify peers in distress, provide guidance and recommend mental health resources for the UAB community.
- The Be There Certificate can help people recognize the signs of mental health concerns, provide guidance to those struggling and connect them with appropriate resources.
- The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help students experiencing mental health-related distress. Students can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for themselves, or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
- Togetherall, a 24/7 anonymous peer-to-peer online chat platform, offers instant access to mental health support from a diverse and safe community of real people. Togetherall works in partnership with colleges across the country to provide students with free access.
Read more about the counseling services and resources UAB offers students.