While You Wait

At Student Counseling & Psychological Services (SCPS), we place a high priority on being accessible to students. The decision to seek help is often not an easy one. In fact, it can be an act of courage and bravery to acknowledge that you are struggling and decide to get assistance.
Here are some suggestions for what to do while you wait for your intake appointment or assignment to a counselor following your intake appointment:

Use the Zen Den

The Zen Den offers a variety of stress management resources including biofeedback, a robotic massage chair, light therapy (for Seasonal Affective Disorder), and more.

Get Mov'in with Moose

Dr. Moose is the SCPS therapy dog. Join Moose, Nessie or Rooster every Thursday at 4 pm for “Get Mov’in with Moose”…..a 3-mile walk around the Auburn campus. You can find Moose and his handler on the concourse outside the Student Center’s Starbucks. Dr. Moose knows how important exercise is to one’s mental health. You’ll also have the opportunity to pet the softest ears of any dog alive!

Access Drop-in Groups

Take advantage of one of our drop-in groups (e.g., Mindful Mondays, Solution-Focused, etc.). Check the website for the current offerings. They change every semester.

Talk to Intake Counselor

Ask your intake counselor for their favorite stress and anxiety management resources (e.g., on-line relaxation recordings, mindfulness and meditation resources, deep breathing exercises, and apps etc.).

Informational Materials

Check out the SCPS Informational Materials in our reception area. There is information on many mental health-related topics.

Mental Health Screenings

Utilize the free on-line mental health screenings on the SCPS website.

SCS Social Media

Check out Student Counseling & Psychological Services’ social media for news and updates. You can follow us on Twitter, and Instagram.

Practice “Grannies”

Sometimes the things your grandmother might tell you to do can make a big difference in how you feel: 1) Are you eating healthy? 2) Are you getting enough (or too much) sleep? 3) Are you getting enough exercise? 4) Are you getting enough fresh air (go for a walk)

Check out Happify

Check out Happify, a website with a research-based approach to improve happiness or SoulPancake, a website with uplifting and thought-provoking videos and articles.
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Referral List

Ask your intake counselor for a referral list of other mental health providers in the community that may be able to see you sooner.

Mental Health Apps

Check out free or inexpensive mental health-related apps (e.g., Worry Box, stopbreathethink, Self-Help Anxiety Management (SAM), BreathPace, etc.), mental health-related YouTube videos, and more.

Take a Hike

Walking in nature has measureable mental health benefits and may reduce the risk of depression.

Click here for more information.

 

We are happy to offer Auburn University students open access to our online workshops during this time. Each workshop consists of three 25-30 minutes sessions, which are meant to be done in order as the skills learned build upon each other. Our workshops are designed to help improve coping skills and teach new techniques to navigate through difficult issues. As this is open access, you can disregard the instructions to email for the link to the next session. Currently, we have four workshops:

Online Anxiety Toolbox Workshop

This workshop will help lower anxiety symptoms and increase coping skills. Access this popular in person workshop from the comfort of your own space.

This workshop is a three-session seminar, each session lasting 30 minutes, intended to help increase your understanding, knowledge, and skills regarding anxiety. The Anxiety Toolbox uses a cognitive behavioral framework to help you recognize and manage symptoms you may be experiencing.

Online Getting Unstuck Workshop

This workshop will help increase mood and lower depressive symptoms. Access this popular in person workshop from the comfort of your own space. It includes three sessions, each lasting approximately 25 minutes, that focus on helping participants understand depressive symptoms and build skills to manage these symptoms. Getting Unstuck utilizes a cognitive behavioral perspective to help you develop a plan for addressing your depressive symptoms.

Online Preparing for Change Workshop

This workshop consists of three sessions (bringing awareness, identifying values, and generalizing skills) that are intended to help you learn new tools and get a better idea of what you might like to change in your life.

Online Relationships 101 Workshop

This workshop is a three session workshop designed to help you increase your knowledge about and skills in building and maintaining health, positive relationships. You will be taught how to better understand relationships, increase effective communication skills, manage conflict, navigate through emotions, and set boundaries. The skills in this workshop are meant to be used in all types of relationships.

Below are some tips for using Panopto and additional strategies that can help you cope.

Tips for using Panopto:

  • Sign in using your AU logininformation. If it says “sign out," then you are signed on and don't need to do anything.
  • Placing your mouse over the top right area will give you an icon and allow the video to expand to full screen.
  • Click on “Screen” in the bottom right to access handouts.
  • A "CC" icon is available to access closed captioning.
  • Please not that while the closed captioning is synced to the information on the screen, it is not perfectly synced with timing of the audio. You may prefer to mute the audio if you’re using closed captioning.
  • It may be most helpful for you to print attached handouts out prior to beginning the session. The handouts are located by expanding the “Screen” prompt at the bottom right.
  • You can pause or rewind the workshop at any point. You can also repeat workshop sessions.
  • Brief quizzes will need to be completed throughout to continue with the workshop session. If you don’t have any quizzes, you are not signed in. Please sign in.

Additional Strategies for Coping:

  • Take a time-out. Practice yoga, listen to music, meditate, get a massage, or learn relaxation techniques. Stepping back from the problem helps clear your head.

  • Consistently engage in consistent good self-care: sleep 8 hours a night, limit alcohol, eat healthy foods, exercise, drink water, schedule time for fun activities, utilize support from friends and family, and use good time management techniques.

  • Eat well-balanced meals. Do not skip any meals. Do keep healthful, energy-boosting snacks on hand.

  • Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks.
  • Get enough sleep. When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest.

  • Exercise daily to help you feel good and maintain your health.

  • Take deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly. Use a breathing pacer to help you engage in mindful breathing.

  • Count to 10 slowly. Repeat, and count to 20 if necessary.

  • Shift your perspective. Work to move your perspective, which may be negatively skewed, to a more neutral or positive placewhat is working for you, what are you doing well? Make an effort to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

  • Do your best. Instead of aiming for perfection, which isn't possible, be proud of however close you get.

  • Accept that you cannot control everything. Put your stress in perspective: Is it really as bad as you think?

  • Welcome humor. A good laugh goes a long way.

  • Get involved. Volunteer or find another way to be active in your community, which creates a support network and gives you a break from everyday stress.

  • Learn what triggers your anxiety. Is it work, family, school, or something else you can identify? Write in a journal when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, and look for a pattern.

  • Talk to someone. Tell friends and family you’re feeling overwhelmed, and let them know how they can help you. Talk to a physician or therapist for professional help.

If you are experiencing an urgent situation or psychological emergency:

Student Counseling & Psychological Services’ counselors are available weekdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call the counseling center at 334.844.5123 and request to talk to the on-call emergency counselor. If necessary, a follow-up, face-to-face emergency appointment will be scheduled for the same day.

Examples of emergencies or urgent situations:  

  • Contemplating suicide
  • Strong desire to harm someone else
  • Not able to guarantee keeping yourself or others safe
  • Recently sexually or physically assaulted
  • Recent death of loved one
  • Having strange experiencing such as hearing voices or seeing things that others are not
  • Recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital

After hours/ Crisis Resources:

  • After regular business hours, weekends, and holidays, a Student Counseling & Psychological Services on-call emergency counselor can be reached at (334-844-5123).
  • The East Alabama Mental Health Center has a toll free number that may be called 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for emergencies (800.815.0630). The clinician on-call will assist you as needed.
  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
  • ULifeline is an organization dedicated to suicide prevention: www.ulifeline.org
  • The Trevor Project: A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for gay and questioning youth 1.866.488.7386
  • Call 911 if you are at imminent risk of harming yourself or someone else. Or, get help from someone who can take you to the nearest emergency room. In Lee County, the nearest emergency room is located at the East Alabama Medical Center, 2000 Pepperell Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801, 334.749.3411

What You Can Expect If You Are Put on the Waitlist Following Your Intake Appointment

 

Student Counseling & Psychological Services makes every effort to get clients assigned to an individual counselor as soon as possible following their intake appointment. During peak demand times, this is not always possible. When this occurs, your intake counselor will provide you with a number of resources (other than individual counseling) that you may utilize until you are assigned.

We know it is frustrating to wait once you have made the decision to seek out counseling. It is frustrating for the Student Counseling & Psychological Services staff too. We are professional helpers and do not like that students must wait when they are suffering, struggling, or not performing at their highest levels. Please know that we are always doing our best to assist students with a minimal wait time while maintaining the highest quality of mental health care.

The waitlist is for those clients who have been seen for an intake appointment and have not been assigned to a counselor for individual therapy. During peak demand times, the severity and urgency of a student’s presenting issues are considered when determining whether they will be assigned to an individual counselor immediately or placed on the waitlist. At times, a student’s limited time availability may also make it difficult to schedule individual counseling.

Follow-up Meeting

One of the Student Counseling & Psychological Services Counselor and Support Services Coordinators will email or telephone you 10 business days after your intake appointment to offer a follow-up meeting to provide support and check-in with you.

Check-In Meeting in Advance

During the intake appointment, your intake counselor will offer you in advance the option of scheduling a check-in meeting with one of the Student Counseling & Psychological Services Counselor and Support Services Coordinators when you are placed on the waitlist.

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Assessment

During the check-in meetings, your SCPS Counselor and Support Services Coordinators will assess and ask whether your presenting issues have changed or worsened. If this is the case, then you may be assigned to an individual counselor more quickly.

Additional Meetings

One of the Student Counseling & Psychological Services Counselor and Support Services Coordinators will schedule additional check-in meetings with you if needed.

Within 30 Days

If you have not been assigned an individual counselor within 30 days of your intake appointment or had a check-in meeting, one of the SCPS Counselor and Support Services Coordinators will send you another follow-up email or telephone call to offer support and a check-in meeting. You will also be reminded of what other Student Counseling & Psychological Services resources and services are available to you.

Urgency or Crisis

If at any time you believe you are in crisis or your presenting issues have caused a greater sense of urgency, then you can walk-in and meet with the on-call emergency counselor. There is always an on-call counselor available for emergencies during Student Counseling & Psychological Services business hours.