Anxiety is a serious issue for college students. According to the ADAA, more than 62 percent of students who withdrew from college for mental health reasons, did so because of anxiety. The ADAA also says that nine percent of college students have considered suicide. To a certain degree, having anxiety makes sense; managing school, work, friends, and family can cause a lot of stress. Luckily, SMU and the Dallas community have a lot of resources.
SMU Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offers four different types of care: preventative education, evaluation, brief psychotherapy, and psychiatric consultation. This includes group counseling, individual counseling, referrals, and more. You can call at 214-768-4021.
If you’re worried you suffer from an anxiety disorder or another mental health issue, there is an online screening system through SMU health center that can help you determine if you need to reach out for more help. It can be found here.
The Chaplain’s Office also offers counseling and direction, for those who want a religious perspective or may not be ready to see a traditional therapist. You can visit them in Hughes-Trigg, Suite 316 or call at 214-768-4502.
If you live on campus, all the residential commons have Residential Community Directors. Each RCD has a master’s degree and is trained in student problems. You can contact your RCD through your commons.
The Office of the Dean of Student Life sponsors many support systems. They have hosted support meetings for first years and transfer students and there is Caring Community Connections, through which you can issue a concern about another student, who may be struggling with something and then links them to the proper resources. If you’re worried about someone, you can find out more here.
In case of emergency, you can always call SMU Police Department. They have a police officer trained for students in mental crises and can determine the best route to take, whether calming them down or sending for help. For non-emergencies, call 214-768-3388, and for emergencies, call 214-768-3333.
For more general information on anxiety disorders, the National Institute of Mental Health has a list with signs and symptoms of many disorders, which can be found at here.
If you’re not comfortable with getting help on campus, or with traditional counseling, there are many great therapists in Dallas that focus on holistic approaches through animal therapy, stress-reducing yoga and more. College creates a lot of stress for students, but anxiety shouldn’t interfere with everyday life. If stress is affecting the way you interact with people, or your schoolwork, it’s time to get help. You don’t need to go through it alone. Hopefully, the resources listed above will help you get started.