All posts by Monica Chenault

Program Manager for Office of Student Mental Health and Behavior. Managing NOVACares and NOVA SAS.
Events, Mental Health Resources, NOVACares, Resources, Uncategorized

TODAY ONLY: Vote for Access Hope in WTOP’s Contest – Click for a cause!

CLICK TODAY:  Http://wtop.com/click-for-a-cause   VOTE FOR ACCESS HOPE

 

Please click like for Access Hope in this contest sponsored by WTOP. Access Hope provides free mental health counseling to NOVA Students without insurance.

“I am a board member of Access Hope and the organization is participating in WTOP’s Click for A Cause. Just by selecting “Like” under the Access Hope blurb, you can help us win up to $12,000, which we can really use! No money out of your pocket – just a click of a button. 🙂

Please follow this link and look up Access Hope under “A” and click the Like button. And, if you feel so inclined, please share!

Thank you!

WTOP is giving away cash to your favorite charity! Let everyone know that you support ACCESS HOPE by VOTING today at Http://wtop.com/click-for-a-cause. Please share with your friends & family! It’s free, easy and could win us $12,000 to help us create partnerships to provide free mental health services to the under-served.

Everyone can cut and paste this blurb to send out to as many people as possible. Thanks so much!

Have a great weekend!

Michelle”

NOVACares, Resources, Uncategorized

Start the Year Off Right – Hints from ULifeline

Whether you’ve been preparing to go back to school for weeks or you’re a last minute packer, it’s time to head to campus. These wellness tips will help you start the school year off right.
1. Stay Focused: Summer is a good time to relax and recharge – but after a few months in the sun, it’s helpful to refocus on what you want to get out of your education. Reflect on what your college education means to you, and how it helps you to achieve your potential. This will allow you to return to school with a fresh and newly energized mindset.
2. Get Mentally and Physically Prepared: The school grind can be tough. Loads of work and socializing can put your mind and body under pressure. Clear you mind and stay centered by exercising, getting enough sleep, and eating well.
3. Set Achievable Goals: It’s easy to get bogged down with work and other obligations. Setting goals can help you manage your priorities when the school year starts. Whether it’s to join more clubs, get involved with a charity, go for a walk every day or take advantage of your professor’s office hours, specific goals will help make the school year more productive.
4. Create Good Habits: Good habits (like getting to bed earlier or limiting your hours of screen time) can do wonders for your well-being. Establishing good habits at the beginning of the school year will help you to start off on the right foot and maintain them moving forward.
5. Don’t Overthink It: Be confident in your preparation and your abilities as a student. Try not to get too caught up in worrying about your grades or how much other students may be doing compared to you. Instead, put trust in yourself that you will be fine and are capable of navigating challenges that may come your way.
Remember, if you are concerned about yourself or a friend, please speak up and ask for help. Reach out to a counselor or advisor on your campus. You can always text “START” to 741-741 or call 1-800-273 TALK (8255) for support.
For more tips about staying emotionally healthy at school, visit ULifeline.org.

NOVACares, Sexual Assault Services

Now you can make a donation to help support NOVA Sexual Assault Services!

NOVA Sexual Assault Services (SAS) is a program operated under the NOVACares Office at Northern Virginia Community College. Its mission is to address the issues of sexual assault, stalking, and dating/partner violence by providing confidential support and services to our college victims and their significant others, as well as to provide educational outreach to the entire college community. If you would like to donate to this program, please go to: http://www.nvcc.edu/alumni/index.html, go to ‘make a gift’ and you will be able to submit a credit card donation. The title of the account is ‘NOVA Sexual Assault Services.’ The SAS account number is 11-0523. Thank you very much for assisting us provide assistance to those impacted by these issues.

Questions? Contact….

Connie J. Kirkland, MA
National Certified Counselor
Director, Office of Student Mental Health and Behavior
Northern Virginia Community College
7630 Little River Turnpike, Suite 306
Annandale, Virginia 22003-3796
Phone: 703.323.2136
Cell: 571.422.5339
Fax: 703.323.3764
www.nvcc.edu/novacares

Mental Health Resources, NOVACares, Resources, Uncategorized

NOVA Students: Coping Skills Group Has Openings!

NOVA students juggle all kinds of stresses and obligations, from succeeding academically to fitting in socially to managing financial and family pressures. Fortunately, a coping skills group that will focus on the skills, information, resources, and support you need will be starting at the Alexandria campus in June. The group will be limited to 10 students and guided by an experienced facilitator. This is a free service provided through Access Hope.

For more information, please contact Grace Gray, MSW, at 703-281-4928 ext. 424 or Ggray@thewomenscenter.org.

First Meeting:
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Time: 1:00 pm
Where: NOVA’s Women Center
5000 Dawes Avenue Alexandria, VA 22311-5097
Bisdorf Building