As part of our mental health special issue, we interviewed Julian Pessier, director of CAPS, and vice president of The Humanology Project, SBU chapter, Aamna Aatif to gain insight into the handling of mental health resources during the pandemic.
When a majority of the student body evacuated campus and classes shifted to an online format, Stony Brook University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) transitioned quickly to a remote format for the rest of the year.
According to the Center for Prevention and Outreach website, simple activities such as coloring, connecting with your peers, exercise, DIY crafts, meditation and healthy eating can increase your overall mental health.
On Nov. 22, Jessica Schleider, a researcher at Stony Brook University (SBU), received the President’s New Researcher Award by the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, based on the promise of developing theoretical or practical applications that represent advances to the field.
The Peer Mental Health Alliance (PMHA) wants to bring a program to campus to fill certain gaps in mental health coverage that they say are not being addressed by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
Fernandez, a senior psychology major, took issue with the fact that these surveys did not evaluate students’ awareness of available resources. She also criticized CAPS for not doing everything in its power to support PMHA and other student-led mental health groups.
The program also included musical performances and provided information about on-campus resources for those struggling with feelings of depression or hopelessness.
New semesters are often met with one of two outlooks: one filled with hope and enthusiasm or one riddled with self-doubt and feelings of impending doom.
