Finding a support network

Develop your informal networks
Take advantage of services on campus
Mental health professionals: keeping them in the loop

The verdict is in. Having a good social life isn't a luxury. It's important for good mental health. You need people around you to celebrate the good times - and support you in the bad times. With the constant demands of schoolwork, it may feel like you don't have time for a social life. Make it a priority. Being with other people can help you keep things in perspective, give you the chance to talk through problems and get the support you need to solve them, and above all - allow you to relax and have some fun!

Develop your informal networks

The more wide and varied your support network, the better. Try to connect with people early in the semester, when your energy is apt to be higher, so you have connections already in place when school year pressures start to mount.

If you've moved away from home to attend college or university, you've had to leave family and friends back home. Finding new support networks is even more crucial, so you'll need to make it a priority.

The following offer opportunities to reach out:

• Family and friends know you and care about you. They're in your corner.
• Study skills groups are a great way to connect with people while helping with your schoolwork.
• Your local faith community may provide an opportunity to meet caring people you can connect with.
• Some associations for specific mental health disorders have active chapters and support groups, even in smaller communities (e.g., the Mood Disorders Association, Schizophrenia Society). The local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association can usually provide information on what support groups are available. The Web Resources section of this resource is a good place to start if you want to find the chapter nearest you.
• Student activities offer an opportunity to connect with other students and develop interests outside your academic work (e.g., drama, music, chess, sports, student council).
• Student clubs may help you find a group of peers that share your experience (e.g., specific religious or cultural groups, LGBT groups - Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans-gendered, and mature/non-traditional student societies).

Peer Support Groups
Some colleges and universities have established support groups for students with psychiatric disabilities. Sharing experiences with someone who has lived through the same experience can be very reassuring, and other students can also provide advice on accommodations and other supports. If a peer support group doesn't exist on campus, talk to the Disability Services Office about getting one started. If meeting in person isn't an option, computer listserves and chat groups offer the option of creating a "virtual" support group.

Take advantage of services on campus

While the Disability Services Office is the obvious place to find support on campus, don't s top there. A wide variety of resources for students are available. Check out the services provided by:

• Health Services
• Counseling and Mental Health Services
• Vocational or Career Counseling
• Study Skills Centres
• Chaplaincy or multi-faith centres
• Student Services
• Campus Women's Centre

Mental health professionals: keeping them in the loop

Chances are you have a psychologist or psychiatrist in the community providing you with care. Or you may receive care from a General Practitioner (GP) or family doctor who has a special interest in psychiatry. Or you may have a social worker or case manager who has worked with you on various issues. You will probably want to continue to see that professional regularly, but you may also want to connect with a counselor on campus to talk about school-related issues.

If you are moving away from home to attend college or university, talk to your GP, psychiatrist or psychologist to determine what support arrangements you need to have in place. It may be that you agree to maintain telephone contact or check in periodically when you return home for holidays. Or you may decide that you need a referral to someone in the area where you will be attending school. That way you can have person-to-person contact and someone in place should your health deteriorate or a crisis arise. It's important to have this arrangement worked out in advance.

© 2004 Canadian Mental Health Association. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form without written permission of the Canadian Mental Health Association.