Students, even graduate students, are not immune to stress. Many are facing changes at work, in their home life, and a shift to remote learning.

鈥淭he need for social distancing has increased feelings of isolation, and due to the switch to remote learning, students are experiencing a lot of changes occurring at once,鈥� says Rebbecca Estrada, a psychologist at 麻豆原创 Counseling and Psychological Services.

CAPS offers a variety of services to help students facing mental-health challenges and the university鈥檚 CARES office provides referrals to additional on-campus and off-campus resources. Although 麻豆原创 shifted to remote learning after Thanksgiving and the winter break is just around the corner, students will still have access to crisis services at CAPS. Students can access the crisis line by calling CAPS and hitting 鈥�5鈥� for the after-hour services where therapists are available. CAPS also provides TAO, a self-guided interactive, web-based program that offers assistance to help overcome anxiety, depression, and other concerns.

The services are available to all 麻豆原创 students. University employees who work with students were also required to take Kognito training 聽this year to help recognize students in distress. The Board of Governors earlier this month mandated all university employees take the training moving forward.聽 But the first step is recognizing your stress or anxiety level and deciding to prioritize yourself.

鈥淎s graduate students, we tend to be hard on ourselves about academic productivity and it can be difficult to take a break,鈥� says Emily Ross, a clinical psychology doctoral student. 鈥淲e are also used to feeling in control of our situation. Unfortunately, there is a heightened sense of ambiguity and loss of control right now, which can be difficult to adjust to.鈥�

Estrada offers some tips that may be especially useful during the winter break.

• Make time for yourself.
• Exercise, even if it鈥檚 just a walk around the block.
• Be aware of situations that may impact your mental health, and schedule relaxation time before and after.
• Reach out for social support.
• Sleep, getting rest is key.

For more tips access .

鈥淭his has been a difficult year,鈥� Estrada says. 鈥淭he pandemic changed the way we go about our daily lives. We have to be more intentional about caring for ourselves.鈥�

TAO Self Help聽is an interactive, web-based program that provides assistance to help overcome anxiety, depression, relationships, communication and substance use concerns. TAO is based on well researched and highly effective strategies for helping those concerns. Participants can choose to view short helpful videos, take part in brief exercises, use logs to track moods and progress, and have access to a Mindfulness Library. Visit:聽.

Kognito聽is an aviator and simulation online tool that provides assistance to help users learn how to have a productive conversation with someone they are concerned about. The program allows the users to enter a virtual environment and engage in role-play conversations with emotionally-responsive virtual humans. Through practice and receiving personalized feedback, users learn and assess their competency to lead similar conversations in real life. Key models and techniques include motivational interviewing, shared decision-making, emotional self-regulation, empathy, empathic accuracy and reappraisal strategy. When you聽聽and use the聽Enrollment Key:聽centralflorida

CAPS is also offering 30-60 minute information sessions to various departments and student groups about how TAO and Kognito can help support you, your staff, and students. To request an informational session, visit:聽

Questions? Contact Teresa Michaelson-Chmelir at:聽Teresa.michaelson@ucf.edu聽or call 407.823.2811.