Message to USC Students
From: Michael W. Quick, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs; Sarah Van Orman, Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Chief Student Health Officer
February 26, 2019
Dear Students,
Now that we’re halfway through spring semester, we hope that you are not only focused on your academic goals but are finding a balance between intellectual achievement and emotional wellbeing. This can be a challenging time to live your most healthy lives. With the pressures of midterms, planning for summer employment or studies, and thinking about your life after commencement, it is common to feel stress, worry, or sadness.
We want you to know that we offer many resources to support your emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
USC Student Health, Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMH) can help you meet your personal goals. CMH offers immediate services for urgent matters and phone consultations to explore options for non-urgent matters. Their services include individual therapy, crisis support workshops, group counseling, and online information to help you build skills and learn effective coping strategies. You can reach them at (213) 740-WELL (9355). If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, an on-call crisis counselor is available 24 hours a day.
USC Support and Advocacy can provide support and guidance through any issue that is adversely affecting your experience here. They will work with you and help empower you to take full advantage of USC’s resources and opportunities. You can call them at (213) 821-4710.
Last month, we launched our new USC Office of the Ombuds, a safe place on both campuses for our community to turn to without fear of reprisal or judgement to explore their options for solving problems, resolving disputes, and promoting workplace wellness on campus. You can reach the University Park Campus Ombuds at (213) 821-9556 and upcombuds@usc.edu, and the Health Sciences Campus Ombuds at (323) 442-0341 and hscombuds@usc.edu.
You can also take care of your physical health through primary care services at USC Student Health. Make an appointment online using the online portal My Student Health Record (MySHR) or call (213) 740-WELL (9355) to speak to a receptionist or reach a 24-hour medical advice line.
Sometimes the support of a community we identify with can promote our wellness. We encourage our students to take advantage of Campus and Student Affairs Resources. For example, LGBTQ+ students and allies can avail themselves of the LGBT Resource Center, a safe, affirming space that provides support and advocacy. Our many groups include Asian Pacific American Students Services (APASS), the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs (CBCSA), USC El Centro Chicano, and the Veterans Resource Center (VRC).
Mindfulness practices can help us to be aware of ourselves in ways that lead to stress reduction and increase happiness. CMH and Mindful USC offer a range of classes and workshops to the USC community. The Office of Religious Life sponsors opportunities for exploring the spiritual dimensions of your life and learning. USC Recreational Sports can help support a balanced, healthy lifestyle through participation in recreational activities and physical activity.
As we move forward as a safe and supportive community, we must look out for those who are hurting; we value you, and we affirm our commitment to you.
Please remember that you are not alone if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. One key step in changing how you are feeling is to reach out and ask for help. It is the healthiest response possible, even though at times reaching out may not feel that way.
The old standard advice of eating well, sleeping well and exercising is good advice – these are helpful in combating worry, stress, and negative thoughts that can impact our wellbeing. We want your time at USC to be filled with positive, enriching experiences.
Have a restful and restorative spring break.
Cc: Wanda Austin
Academic Senate
Academic Deans
President’s Cabinet
Provost’s Cabinet