Mental Health
Messaging Considerations
- Recognize the impact that your words can have on others and practice respectful language when discussing mental health.
- Use person-first language referring to mental illnesses or any type of mental health condition
- Ex. Say “they are an individual living with (or experiencing) a mental illness” rather than “they are mentally ill.”
- Avoid stigmatizing language when talking about mental health by using this guide.
Activities
- Utilize the Resilience Education Module with Dr. Mary Steinhardt.
- Promote LWC Spotify Playlists as part of daily coping tools.
- Organize music themed events or quick meditation routines.
- Invite a yoga instructor (Recreational Sports, a resident, or even a YouTube video) as a grounding and stress-reducing activity.
- Invite the Longhorn Wellness Center Peer Educators to lead a workshop on self-care and/or resilience.
- Encourage student groups you work with to have a Mental Health Ambassador for their organization through the Longhorn Wellness Center.
- Use or direct students to the Massage Services at Recreational Sports.
Promote the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) which is available to UT students for no cost and offers counseling and psychiatric services, groups, classes and workshops.- Encourage students to get involved with the Longhorn SHARE Project, a resource for students seeking private, non-clinical, peer-based support around common issues and/or identities in individual or group settings.
Consultants
- Justin Carter, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Longhorn Wellness Center, justin.carter@austin.utexas.edu
- Adrian Lancaster, Student Peer Support Project Coordinator, Adrian.lancaster@austin.utexas.edu
- Madeline Shaw, Mental Health Promotion Coordinator, madeline.shaw@austin.utexas.edu
