Take Care of Your Mental Health
I’ve been in many worrying situations over my years as an academic leader, but beginning our 2021 school year amidst our current social unrest and the continuation of this massive pandemic has brought unprecedented levels of stress. I know I’m not alone. As we continue to serve this great institution and apply our abilities to what we believe is right, we sometimes push ourselves past the point of what is good for our mental health. This week I want to encourage all of us to focus on caring for ourselves.
I know I’ve been saying “take care” a lot over the past year – take care of our students, families, friends, community, and ourselves. But I really want to encourage everyone this week to truly focus on your mental health. We can only give to our students what we have “in the tank” to give, and I know that it is difficult to refill those tanks right now. We are all being called on to do what we can to ensure our democracy and public health are secure, in addition to our regular duties. I want you all to seek out ways to keep your mental health on your to-do lists. Take walks, snuggle pets, scream into pillows (or at the news) – whatever it is you know makes you feel better.
Over the fall semester, Associate Professor of Psychology Kristin Kilbourn and her doctoral students (working with Energize Colorado) provided free group counseling sessions to over 120 small business owners across the state. The groups focused on issues brought on by COVID, but went beyond to help individuals gain skills in all areas of stress management. Among the top tips they emphasize is the importance of taking quiet time (meditation, time with nature) to breath and slow down thinking, and making sure everyone stays in touch with someone they can talk to (virtually or 6 feet apart) when they feel like they have too much to manage on our own.
If you or anyone you know affiliated with our campus is without that someone I strongly encourage you to seek out the expanding resources CU Denver is providing:
- The CU Denver Student and Community Counseling Center is providing counseling and mental health services via telehealth and online video calls from 9 am – 5 pm at (303) 315-7270.
- The Health Center at Auraria has counselors who can help with undue stress or anxiety, for no charge. Call (303) 615-9999 and schedule a consultation.
- Colorado Crisis Services provides 24/7 free, confidential, immediate support for any mental health or substance abuse concern. Call 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255 to speak to a trained professional.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can help you find treatment options for substance use disorders.
- The Phoenix Center at Auraria provides free and confidential assistance to survivors of interpersonal violence (relationship violence, sexual violence, and stalking), as well as their friends, families, and concerned others. Confidential appointments will be conducted via Zoom or telephone and can be scheduled here. The confidential helpline remains available 24/7 at (303) 556-2255.
- The Arthur and Helen E. Johnson Colorado Depression Center, operated by CU Anschutz, is offering telehealth services.
Finally, as we come to the conclusion of phase one of the Chancellors Strategic Plan Initiative I want to thank all of you who filled out the survey and attended community sessions. It’s not too late to participate; the survey remains active through tomorrow and I encourage all of you to share bold ideas about where we can take CU Denver in the coming decade. As phase two gets underway, focusing on how we strengthen and differentiate, I want to encourage you to sign up to be on one of the eight working groups that will address major cross-cutting themes and generate innovative ideas to amplify our impact and take the university to greater levels of success.