Beyond providing individual counseling , how does CAPS connect with the university community through preventative education ? On nearly any day of the week , students can participate in a community forum , join a workshop or talk to a graduate and professional student well-being associate . One of our newest forums is the Trans and Gender Diverse Group , where students can explore their thoughts and feelings related to gender identity in a supportive , community-building environment . And we recently launched Tritons Rise , which are daily workshops that incorporate topics such as meditation , behavioral activation , academic success strategies and other foundations of well-being . In addition , CAPS has partnered with UC San Diego Athletics to support scholar-athletes and coaches with targeted training and therapy sessions .
How does the growing CAPS team reflect the diversity of the campus population ? University campuses are enclaves of diverse communities and human systems , and it is important to have mental health providers that parallel our student population . We strive to have staff who know what students are experiencing based on their lived experiences , rather than relying on students to explain . Mental health providers can also serve as role models to our students ; they can see people who look like them making a difference as healers and people that empower , mentor and advocate for them . We are delighted to have recently hired several new providers who focus on the Black and LGBTQ + student experience .
You have led CAPS for three decades ; how has it evolved over time ? There is less of a stigma associated with students seeking mental health services . Our students today are more likely to reach out for help than they were in the past . I believe this is due to the changing attitudes around mental health , but also because we have transformed our care to be more culturally responsive . We also make connecting easy . When the pandemic hit , we had already launched a telehealth platform in January 2020 that enabled us to sustain services seamlessly as the campus went to distance learning . Our staff is also strategically positioned where students are , including each of the seven colleges , campus community centers , graduate student housing and Student Health Services , in addition to our central office in Galbraith Hall . We are here for our students , wherever and however they need us .
STANDING STRONG
→ UC San Diego seniors Katie Nugent and Isaac Lara have both served as associate vice president of Student Health and Well-Being within Associated Students . They reflect on their own path to wellness and the evolving attitude toward mental health among college students .
“ The pandemic brought mental health to the forefront , from the grief of losing loved ones to the loneliness that comes from isolation . Students are recognizing that mental health impacts everything from emotional , physical and social well-being to how to manage daily stressors . They are more aware that mental health can be a positive thing to tackle , and that going to therapy isn ’ t a bad thing .”
— Katie Nugent
“ We need to help our students overcome their own barriers to wellness , whether it ’ s due to their culture or family upbringing or an internal belief that their issue is not worth addressing . It ’ s intimidating for a lot of students to pause and accept that there may be an issue . One of the biggest lessons I ’ ve learned is to be yourself and don ’ t feel the need to normalize things that personally do not feel right .” — Isaac Lara
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