Topics & Resources

Resource information is listed below for your reference. Feel free to read through and/or download any of the materials you see here. Self-help materials are not meant to be a substitute for counseling/therapy but can be an excellent source of information to help individuals with mental health concerns or needs. While we encourage and recommend you to view the vast amount of information available online, we can not fully endorse all the information on these websites. Please feel free to contact the counseling center to schedule an appointment with a counselor at 607-431-4420.

CHECK THIS OUT! The University of Chicago offers an extensive online resource targeted specifically towards college students - student counseling virtual pamphlet collection - ranging in topics from anger and grief to sleep and wellness.

STRESS: While it varies among college students' individual situations, the following reasons are some of the main causes for college student stress:  

  • Pressure to Do Well: Whether it's pressure from family or the student's interior motivation, the desire to do the best and get perfect grades can put a great deal of stress on a college student.
  • Amount of Schoolwork: College work is much different from any schoolwork a student has ever done and this can make a college student feel overwhelmed quickly.
  • Social Acceptance: A college student may have many friends behind and must start over, particularly if they choose to go to school out of state. If the student is not confident and comfortable with social situations, the stress can become overwhelming.
  • Missing Family and Friends: Some college students have never been away from home and homesickness can really take a toll.
  • Problems at Home: If there are problems at home that the college student cannot go and help with, he or she feels powerless and stressed over the loss of control.
  • Peer Pressure: Wanting to fit in by drinking, partying, skipping class, or doing drugs can be detrimental to the student's grades and success in college.

 23 Ways to Reduce Stress Right Now
 Exercise and Stress
 Listen to Relaxation Exercises 

DEPRESSION: Depression is a common but serious mental illness typically marked by sad or anxious feelings. Most college students occasionally feel sad or anxious, but these emotions usually pass quickly-within a couple of days. Untreated depression lasts for a long time, interferes with day-to-day activities and is much more than just being "a little down" or "feeling blue."

Families for Depression Awareness (website)
Depression and Bipolar Support Center (website)

ANXIETY: Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness or a rapid heartbeat.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (website)
Freedom From Fear (website)

ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS: Love is the one of the most profound emotions known to human beings. For most people, romantic relationships are one of the most meaningful elements in their lives. But the ability to have a healthy, loving relationship is not instinctive. Almost all of us have experienced a failed relationship, and most of us have to work consciously to master the skills necessary to make them flourish.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (website)
Love Is Respect (website)

SEXUAL ASSAULT: Sexual Assault is non-consensual sexual intercourse and non-consensual sexual contact. Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse is: Any sexual intercourse (anal, oral, or vaginal), however slight, with any object, by a man or woman upon a man or woman, without effective consent. Non-Consensual Sexual Contact is: Any sexual touching (including disrobing or exposure), however slight, with any object, by a man or woman upon a man or woman, without effective consent.

Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (website)
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (website)

BODY IMAGE: Body image is the mental picture you have of your body...what it looks like... what you believe about it... how you sense and control your body as you move... how you feel in your body.Everyone has a body image and it has strong strong emotional overtones based on our experiences in our lives. Our image of our body plays a major role in how we feel, what we do, whom we meet, whom we date and what career path we choose. Maintaining a positive body image is crucial but challenging.

Something Fishy (website) 
National Eating Disorders Association (website)
Our Bodies, Our Selves (website)

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS/CHILDHOOD: Relationships among family members strongly affect the development of emerging adults. When students leave for college, family relationships evolve.

Child Abuse Prevention (website)
Here To Help (website)

DRUG ABUSE: Drug use in America is more commonplace than it once was. In today's teenage population over 90 percent have used alcohol. Over 50 percent have used marijuana, 17 percent admit to trying cocaine and 12.5 percent have used some form of hallucinogen.

NIH - National Institute on Drug Abuse (website)
Al-Anon* (website) 
Alcoholics Anonymous* (website)

*The counseling center has local AA and Al-Anon meeting times and locations available in the Oneonta area, call 607-431-4420 or stop into the Perrella Wellness Center for more information.

SEXUALITY: Sexual orientation and gender identity are different. A personʼs sexual orientation is related to whether the person is romantically attracted to men, women, or both. Gender identity, on the other hand, is about the personʼs own internal identification as male, female, or a gender in between male and female. Just like non transgender people, transgender people can be of any sexual orientation.

American Sexual Health Association (website)
PFLAG Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (website)
The Kinsey Institute (website)

OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES:

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH WEBSITES:

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