Feeling stressed or anxious about your upcoming exams? Are you having difficulty controlling some of your worries? Or have some family issues you are struggling with?
According to National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in America. More than 19 million Americans are affected each year.
Anxiety disorders can include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety, social anxiety or specific phobias. Typically 75 percent of these stressors occur by the age of 21, making college years a peak time of development for these disorders.
The University Health and Psychological Services is collaborating with Dr. Christine Edmondson from the Psychology Department to host the National College Anxiety Screening Day event on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Health Center, Area E.
Fresno State students, staff and faculty are encouraged to attend a free anxiety screening.
Dr. Rebecca Raya-Fernandez, a licensed psychologist at the University Health and Psychological Services said the anxiety screening day is very helpful for students to gain knowledge and information about how to cope with everyday stressors.
Raya-Fernandez said everyday stressors for students might include academic situations, problems with insomnia, relationships with family, friends and work.
“Everyone has a certain amount of anxiety or stress. But when that stress reaches a certain point it may become more acute. And this is when we are starting to go into the area of perhaps panic disorders or other disorders within the anxiety spectrum,” said Raya-Fernandez.
Students will have the opportunity to fill out a screening form Thursday, watch a brief video and meet individually on an anonymous basis with a counselor and discuss their results.
During this time, students have the chance to have their screening form reviewed with a counselor and the opportunity to utilize the resources Psychological Services has to offer. This may include psycho-educational information or referral information.
“It’s really a screening tool to give students more information,” Raya-Fernandez said.
“It actually gives them the opportunity to meet with a counselor and get more clarity on their… concerns or issues.”
Psychology Student Mary Varner is looking forward to participating in the National College Anxiety Screening Day.
“It’s more of a fun activity to participate in National College Anxiety Screening Day,” Varner said. “Not only will it be good for me, but also for students in getting educated on knowing themselves and knowing how to ask for help.”
Another organization, Mental Health America of the Central Valley, will also be part of the event and will provide informational pamphlets to students about the services within the community.
Students of all majors are encouraged to visit the University Health and Psychological Services for screening Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Health Center. For more information about the event students may call 278-6738.