Being a college student is full of challenges, and you might find yourself in stressful situations at different points of the year. At times, you might just need some resources you can review at your own pace.
Taking care of you
Virtual Care Support
This course explores skills and strategies to manage stress more effectively in your life. Whether you are experiencing day to day struggles with anxiety or going through a significant loss or change in your life, this course provides tools that can help you reduce your stress and improve your state of mind.
Relationship Goals workshop
Strengthen your romantic relationship with this free workshop opportunity. You will:
- Learn the building blocks of a healthy relationships
- Gain skills to help you manage conflict in a supportive way
- Practice new skills through experiential exercises
- Receive support with developing relationship goals
This workshop is open to all students and their partners, at least one partner must be a current student, and both partners must attend to participate. Register online to secure your spot. Light snacks will be provided.
Self-screening tools
With these anonymous, online self-screening tools, you can quickly determine if you or someone you know may need to reach out to a doctor or mental health professional. Our self-assessments address concerns such as suicide and self-harm, depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and alcohol and other drugs. These tools are educational—not diagnostic. If you need additional support, call or email CAPS.
Additional information and self-help and crisis resources
If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, are having trouble completing daily tasks, or are facing an acute stressor that threatens the safety of yourself or others, we’ll arrange a same-day emergency appointment.
CAPS’ on-call counselors are available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call us at 317-274-2548.
Have you been thinking about ending your life or hurting yourself? Are you feeling overwhelmed? There are people who will listen. Consider reaching out to one of the 24-hour hotlines listed below. Then contact CAPS to find ways to stay safe and build the life you want to live.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of suicide, call 911 immediately or call the IU Police Department emergency line at 317-274-7911.
- National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Hopeline Network: 1-800-442-4673 (HOPE)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME 741741
- Aynda En Español: 1-888-628-9454
- Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ+): 1-866-488-7386
- TTY Users: 1-800-273-8255
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
If you’ve been feeling sad, irritable, helpless, or get easily frustrated, you may be experiencing depression, anxiety, or another mood disorder. Any of these can interfere with your function and ability to complete day to day tasks.
Mood disorders can include:
- Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), a milder yet chronic depressed mood
- Bipolar disorder, a condition in which moods may shift periodically from depressed to “normal” to elevated
- Cyclothymia, a milder form of bipolar disorder
Stress and nervousness are natural parts of life. However, worries that interfere with your ability to participate in daily life are not. In addition to extreme worry, clinical anxiety may include fear or avoidance of specific situations, intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviors, or persistent or intrusive memories of a past trauma. You may also experience physical symptoms of distress such as a racing heart, difficulty breathing, shaking, or nausea.
A traumatic event often involves a physical threat to life or safety such as a natural disaster, an accident, or a human act. But any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed or powerless can be considered traumatic and lead to strong emotional reactions. Common reactions include:
- Feeling hopeless about the future
- Feeling detached or unconcerned about others
- Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling jumpy and getting startled easily at sudden noises
- Feeling on guard and constantly alert
- Having disturbing dreams and memories or flashbacks
- Having work or school problems
- Having trouble with intimacy
Every individual will have their own emotional response, and your reactions will likely change over time. Understanding that these reactions are normal following a traumatic event can help you on the road to recovery.
Some people will also experience symptoms such as anxiety, intrusive memories, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and avoidance for an extended period of time. This may be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and can often be treated with a combination of medication and counseling. We can help you find effective ways to cope with your symptoms and find a sense of meaning in your life as a trauma survivor.
Sexual abuse, rape, stalking and other types of sexual misconduct are forms of violence. These acts, which occur any time a person does not actively consent to a sexual interaction, are not about sex. They are about power and control. If you have been affected by a sexual assault or harassment, relationship violence, including intimidation, controlling behavior or physical violence, or other forms of trauma, find support and resources from CAPS or the assistant director of interpersonal violence prevention and response by emailing saadv@iupui.edu.
There are many misconceptions about alcohol and drug use in college. This can sometimes cause students to consume more than is healthy or in ways that don’t match their personal values. Are you concerned about your drinking or substance use? Have you found yourself wondering how much is too much?
If you need help, you can reach out to our Health and Wellness Promotion team at hwpindy@iupui.edu.
You can also take self-screening quizzes, learn the laws and policies, and learn tips to safely drinking on our alcohol and other drugs website.
Food can fuel our bodies, but it can also be used to help us cope with emotional and mental distress. Eating can be a source of comfort and calming, while restricting consumption can provide a sense of control.
Many people respond to life stressors by altering their eating behavior. This may lead to medical complications if left untreated. Excessive food restriction, chronic binging and/or purging, or focused attempts to attain the “perfect body” can be signs of disordered eating.
If you or someone you care about is afraid of gaining weight or is concerned about their eating habits, complete a self-assessment, or contact CAPS.
This assessment will help you identify which of the eight dimensions of wellness is your strongest and which you might benefit from spending extra time developing. It’s a free tool for you to access online.