Bozarth said the Pet Partners of Central Texas organization is as involved in the community as they can be, and she sees a positive effect when her therapy dog, Bentley, interacts with Baylor students. She said students will often smile and enjoy the dog’s company, but they are often under the impression the animal cannot be petted.
Browsing: mental health
Not only do horror movies take advantage of their audience’s deepest, darkest fears and phobias, but they can also have negative impacts on their viewers’ mental health.
With October winding down and November soon to be upon us, it’s safe to say that the semester is flying by. We’re over halfway done, which might be either a source of relief to you or a harsh reality check. Either way, here’s some advice to keep in mind for the coming weeks.
“Tenderness is not just something we embody for others; it is something that we embody for ourselves, especially as we attempt to live, thrive, and work for justice under the siege of terror,” Walker-Barnes said.
School is important, and we should perform to the best of our ability, but we were never supposed to choose it over our mental health, physical health or relational health. So, put the textbook down and go outside. Have a long dinner with your friends. Watch a movie. Remind yourself that school is not all there is to life. It’ll work wonders.
Coming all the way from Yale University, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience Dr. Francesca Penner joined the department this fall and is bringing research about parent-child relationships and mental health to Baylor.
As part of an R1 institution, two professors in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work shared their experience with research and how it benefits the people around them.
All services offered by the Counseling Center are free, including telehealth services, face-to-face counseling and the mental health clinical support line. However, some programs that fall under the health services category — such as general medical care, medical nutrition therapy and psychiatric services — require payment, which is usually covered by insurance.
Mindfulness is the act of being present, the ability to be aware. You begin to perceive people in the right way since you can see everyone for who they really are. Your mind begins to take control, rather than your heart. Choices become clearer, and if they’re hazy, they’re easier to figure out. Mindfulness makes each moment more precious than the next.
In the words of Dominic Chambers, “There is an arena for you to participate in.” These simple yet empowering words ring loud and clear when walking through the quiet halls of the exhibit entitled “Narrative as Reality: Constructing an Identity” in the Martin Museum of Art.
Baylor’s Counseling Center is offering Question, Persuade, Refer Gatekeeper Training for students from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 10 in Moody-Memorial Library’s Active Learning Lab. The training will allow students to become mental health allies by equipping them with tools to identify warning signs in their peers.
Baylor researchers have been awarded $2.5 million across five years to pursue mental health opportunities for students in the Waco area. The program, Partnering for Heart of Texas Mental Health, will also assist Baylor students working toward master’s degrees in social work as it funds their education.
The CARE Team is a group of professionals “who help connect students with solutions to challenges they face through resources both on and off campus.”
After three years on Baylor’s campus, I feel like I know the place inside and out. One thing I’ve learned is that this university offers a lot to its undergraduate students. Whether you are looking for academic, emotional, mental or physical support, it’s more than likely that Baylor has a resource perfectly designed to provide that support and improve your life on campus.
This is not to say students should go around asking people whether or not they’re prescribed Adderall, and whether or not they’ve suffered from the consequences of the shortage. However, what we can all do is take this as an opportunity to be more patient with our peers and learn more about the stigma around medication.
Baylor hosted the 15 Big 12 schools present at Capitol Hill over spring break by creating schedules, forming lobbying groups and holding group dinners. Not only did current Big 12 Institutions such as the University of Texas attend, but future Big 12 members such as the University of Houston and Brigham Young University were present as well.
“Some anxiety is normal, especially around graduation,” Rogers said. “There are practical things you can do about your anxiety, and we have a lot of resources here through the Counseling Center to help if it is a more intense issue than that.”
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Getting ahead of a rough patch and knowing how to work on getting better is essential to taking care of yourself.
“I would posit that most people experience positive improvements in their mental health when there is a break from school or work,” Owusu-Ankomah said. “This can particularly be the case if the person is intentional about practicing positive self-care — such as engaging in mindfulness or connecting with others — throughout the break.”
This realization that Charkalis’ journey isn’t too different from many of her peers’ seems to be a source of comfort. Charkalis said her goal is to bring a sense of community to the journey. She said when you aren’t alone in your walk with mental health, there seems to be far greater hope.
If you’re the type to cry at “Nemo” or fast forward through ASPCA commercials, prepare your tissues, but keep an open mind. “Shrinking” will cheer you up after it tears you down.
After noticing increased levels of anxiety, stress and depression in its students last year, the School of Music instituted a health and wellness initiative under the direction of Dr. Lesley McAllister, Professor of Piano and Director of the Keyboard Division.
Begin to prioritize implementing the values and characteristics you desire to practice so you’re always confident you are showing others the version of yourself you’re most proud of.
Interpersonal relationships should be invested in just as much as jobs, if not more. Having your people to share those professional wins makes the payoff that much better.
“If you are concerned about or are experiencing the impacts of the prescription medication shortage, speak with your doctors,” Nguyen said. “Being in college can be an overwhelming experience; my suggestion is to discuss strategies that can help prioritize self-care and that can help minimize stressors without the use of medication, if possible.”
It is hard to balance relaxation and work in college. It is honestly paradoxical. I have long accepted college is just plain stressful. College is a lot of work, and it is work that is really worth it. It is good preparation for the stress that comes with working a job in the real world™, and it teaches you many valuable skills.
No matter how well or poorly things may be going with school or a job, it’s OK to put some responsibilities aside to treat yourself. The work will be there tomorrow. Your health and happiness are more important than any assignment could be.
According to the NCAA, just under half of student-athletes said they would be comfortable seeking support from a mental health provider on their campus, and during Mental Health Awareness Week, Baylor Athletics prioritized breaking that stigma.
At some point, we’ve all probably kept some sort of diary or journal — it’s OK, you can admit it. It’s not a bad thing. Whether it’s been kept up with consistently is another discussion, but overall, keeping a journal gives you a safe place where you have the luxury of being truly honest without the worry of a reaction.
Many veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD, aren’t receiving the treatment they need, said panelists yesterday at the Mental Health Symposium downtown.

