Resources

Steps to Mental Wellbeing

Consider the 5 steps to mental wellbeing developed by the National Health Service in the UK and seek applicable resources available to you:

  1. Connect with Other People
    1. Stay connected with school friends over the summer and try to have more quality time with family and friends from home
  2. Be Physically Active
    1. Develop a physical exercise regimen using the equipment or guidance from Pratt Rec
    2. Daily walks or time spent moving outdoors can boost your mood and raise your self-esteem
  3. Learn New Skills
    1. Explore a new hobby or activity that utilizes your creativity without the stress of critique
  4. Give to Others
    1. Engage in a gratitude practice or volunteer with a local organization around a topic that matters to you
  5. Pay Attention to the Present Moment (engage with mindfulness)
    1. Explore Mindful Pratt for daily live drop-ins and on-demand video contact on mindfulness and contemplative practices

If you have any questions or want to learn more, contact Pratt Health Promotion at healthpromotion@pratt.edu. 

Helpful Smartphone Apps

Calm

Meditation, breathing exercises and sleep health.
 

Stop, Think, Breathe

Calm worry by becoming more mindful and compassionate. Check in daily to track your progress and feel the calm.

Panic

Learn about anxiety and panic attacks and how to get through them.

Anxiety In Order

Just breathe.

Relax Melodies

Fall asleep or just relax to soothing melodies that you can customize for your zzzz’s.

Info: www.ipnossoft.com/app/relax-melodies

Simply Yoga

Contains 20‐, 40‐, and 60‐minute yoga routines.

I Am

Daily affirmations to build self‐esteem, change negative thought patterns, and empower you to achieve your dreams.

Thankful

Reminders of thankfulness and a place for you to journal your gratitude.

Please note: This selection of links is not intended as a substitute for contact with a mental health professional. It is provided as a means for visitors to this web page to obtain additional information on topics typically discussed in counseling. Inevitably, some of the information represents opinion. If you read information that raises concerns or questions, we invite you to come in to Counseling Services in the ISC Building, 3rd floor.

SUICIDE PREVENTION
ANXIETY DISORDERS
DEPRESSION
RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND ABUSE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
BODY IMAGE AND EATING DISORDERS
SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY
BLACK MENTAL HEALTH

https://blackmentalhealth.com/

ASIAN AND ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY RESOURCES
LATINX MENTAL HEALTH

https://latinxtherapy.com

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG INFORMATION

Please visit our Alcohol & Drugs page:  

/about/offices/the-counseling-center/alcohol-and-other-drugs/

 GENERAL HEALTH INFORMATION
PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH RESOURCES 
  • Campus Blues
  • American Psychological Association Self-Help Information – Information to help you understand your own and others’ behavior, along with a guide for help-seeking
  • Internet Mental Health – A massive, free mental health information service from Canada. Includes much good information on mental health issues in a societal context
  • www.transitionyear.org – dedicated to helping students and parents with the challenges of college freshman year
  • www.samhsa.gov – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website that provides links to treatment, helplines and general information about substance use and mental health issues

Stress Relief Self-Help

SLOW “DIAPHRAGMATIC” BREATHING FOR RELAXATION

The way that we breathe is a reflection of our physical, mental, and emotional states. When we feel anxious and stressed out, especially for an extended period of time, we tend to breathe rapidly and often, using only the upper part of our chest, resulting in less oxygen flow within our bodies. When we feel calm and relaxed, we tend to breathe from our diaphragm muscle, located just above the stomach. Diaphragmatic breathing allows our lungs to expand and bring more oxygen into our bodies; as a result, we feel more relaxed and better equipped to handle stress. Use relaxing sounds to help with focusing on your breathing, you can use the Relax Melodies and Stop, Think, Breathe apps for sounds and melodies (see above). 

PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION

Muscle tension often goes hand in hand with feelings of stress and anxiety. Without realizing it, we may be clenching our fists, grinding our teeth, or tensing our shoulders when we feel this way. Progressive muscle relaxation teaches us how to be connected with these physical symptoms and how to release this tension. When we reduce the physical tension, we then reduce emotional stress and anxiety. Use relaxing sounds to help with focusing on your breathing, please see above for Relax Melodies and app for sounds.

GUIDED IMAGERY

Guided imagery is a gentle but powerful technique that focuses and directs the imagination toward a relaxed, focused state. It is based on the concept that your body and mind are connected. This relaxed state may aid in healing, learning, creativity and performance. It may help you feel more in control of your emotions and thoughts, which may improve your attitude, health, and sense of well-being. Please check Youtube for various videos on nature and other relaxing imagery to help guide you.