Student Health Services at Moffitt Health Center
Student Health Services at Moffitt Health Center
Mental Health is defined as a stat of well-being in which the individual realizes his/her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
Mental Illness is collectively all diagnosable mental disorders or health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.
Incorporating these five simple steps into your daily life can help you stay on top of your mental health.
Not sure where to turn for help? View Resources for Improving Students Well-being and discover the resources available to you right here on campus.
Anxiety is a constant feeling of fear that is the main symptom in many anxiety disorders including:
Treatment may include therapy, medication, and relaxation techniques.
Bipolar disorder is a major mood disorder characterized by episodes of depression and mania - causes unusual shift in moods, energy, activity level, concentration, and ability to do tasks.
Mania is defined as clearly elevated, unrestrained mood or irritable mood manifested as an exaggerated assessment of self-importance, grandiosity, sleeplessness, racing thoughts, pressured speech, impulsivity, and high risk behavior.
Depression is typically identified as difficulty falling and staying asleep or sleeping far more than usual. Minor decisions can be overwhelming. A person may become obsessed with feelings of loss, personal failure, guilt or helplessness. Such negative thinking can lead to thoughts of suicide.
Adopted from National Institute of Mental Health - Bipolar Disorder - Signs and Symptoms Chart
Treatment may include:
Everyone experiences sadness once in a while. Depression is more than a passing blue mood, it is a constant down in the dumps feeling that affects the mind and body. People with a depressive disorder cannot just get over it and get better. Left untreated, symptoms can get progressively worse.
There is no one single cause of depression. It can be one of many or a combination of factors including:
Depression is usually treated with medication and therapy. Exercise can also be a helpful way to improve mood.
Many of us internalize messages starting at a young age that can lead to either positive or negative body image. The key to developing positive body image is to recognize and respect our natural shape and learn to overpower those negative thoughts and feelings with positive, affirming, and accepting ones. Having a healthy body image is an important part of mental wellbeing and eating disorders prevention.
Body image is defined as one’s thoughts, perceptions, and attitudes about their physical appearance. Body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind.
It encompasses:
Positive body image is a clear, true perception of your shape; seeing the various parts of your body as they really are.
Body positivity (or body satisfaction) involves:
A negative body image, on the other hand, involves a distorted perception for one’s shape.
Negative body image (or body dissatisfaction) involves:
People who experience high levels of body dissatisfaction feel their bodies are flawed in comparison to others, and these folks are more likely to suffer from feelings of depression, isolation, low self-esteem, and eating disorders.
Adopted from National Eating Disorder Assoc. - Body Image
Eating disorders are serious and sometimes fatal illnesses marked by severe disturbances in eating behaviors. Eating disorders affect all genders, ages, races, sexual orientations, classes, body shapes, and sizes. They are caused by a complex interaction of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors.
Eating disorders frequently co-exist with other illnesses and rates are highest among women.
Anorexia is an eating disorder in which a person refuses to stay at the minimal of the healthy weight range for one's height and age. He/she remains at an abnormally low body weight. It is characterized by the fear of gaining weight and distorted body image.
Physical
Behavioral
One specific cause of anorexia has not been pinpointed. It seems to be a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors including family factors, perfectionist personality, and social pressures. Anorexia is most commonly seen in adolescent and young adult Caucasian women.
Treatment for anorexia includes treating both physical and mental aspects of the disorder. Body weight must be restored and treatment of any medical conditions such as dehydration or heart complications are done. Medication, therapy, and support groups are used in treating the disease. Depending on the severity, one may be placed in a treatment facility for the disorder.
Bulimia is an eating disorder in which one binges on large amounts of food and purges through compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics or over-exercising. The binge-purge cycle may occur several times a month up to several times a day.
Treatment includes treating physical conditions and breaking up the binge-purge cycle. This may be done through medications, behavior change techniques, and/or therapy.
Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder in which one constantly over eats, even when not hungry and past the point of fullness. During a binge, a person often eats alone and more rapidly than normal.
Causes for binge eating disorder include depression, poor coping skills, dieting, and family factors.
Treatment may include a combination of therapy and medications.
Post-traumatic stress disorder develops in some people who experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event (accident, assault, military combat, or natural disaster.) People with PTSD may feel stressed or frightened, even when they are not in danger.
Symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the traumatic incident but sometimes can take years.
Symptoms may include:
Treatment may include medication, psychotherapy, and self-management strategies like mindfulness and self-soothing.
Promote Recovery
601-266-4588
Price: Sliding scale based on income. Fees for assessment services and some of the specialty programs are fixed.
Offer services for children, adolescents and adults. Serves community members and USM-students, faculty, and staff. Services include individual, child, family, couples and group therapy, comprehensive diagnostic evaluations/ assessments, consultation in various areas.
601-266-4829
Contact: counselingFREEMississippi
Price: Free
Sees students on a short-term basis for counseling and provides assistance to walk-ins and students in crisis.
Student Counseling Services provides care to students with a wide range of concerns, particularly those related to the development of strong coping skills and issues that interfere with academic achievement.
Contact: Stacie%20Frey
Price: Sliding scale, $5 for students, $10 for faculty and staff
Provides individual, couple and family therapy to USM faculty, staff, students and to the community. They focus on communication and relationship issues, life transition concerns, anxiety, stress management and other general challenges that persons in relationships face.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Breathe2Relax
Virtual Hope Box
Anxiety and Depression Assoc. of America - Facts and Statistics
Anxiety and Depression Assoc. of America - Coping Strategies
Anxiety and Depression Assoc. of America - Teens and College Students
Depression: What You Need to Know
NEDA - Information by Eating Disorder
NEDA - Eating Disorder Risk Factors
NEDA: Health Consequences of Eating Disorders
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Facts
Screening for Mental Health: Stop a Suicide
Screening for Mental Health: General Mental Health Screening Tool