Special Edition – Your Mental Health and Well-being Matters

Welcome back from fall break, Niners! As we head into the semester’s home stretch, remember that your academic success and personal well-being aren’t competing priorities but go hand in hand. Study time is as important to your success as proper rest, healthy eating and Niner community connections.

Wellness isn’t just physical or mental health; it’s multi-dimensional. It includes how we manage our emotions, build relationships, grow intellectually, care for our environment, navigate finances, explore purpose, prepare for careers and take care of our bodies. 

Campus resources are available to back you up in all of these ways, so please reach out for support. You’ve worked hard to get to this point; Niner Nation is cheering for you and we know you will finish this semester strong!

Departmental Resources

• Christine F. Price Center for Counseling and Psychological Services offers services such as in-person counseling and referrals, telehealth consultations, crisis assistance, group therapy, after-hours support through ProtoCall and self-help resources. CAPS can help students navigate off-campus referrals and follow-up care.
• University Recreation includes a variety of fitness and wellness opportunities from yoga and exercise for stress reduction to club and intramural sports that help foster community and engagement. Build community and reap the benefits of regular physical activity.
• The Center for Wellness Promotion supports those seeking to build healthier habits and make informed well-being decisions. It delivers wellness education on topics such as interpersonal violence prevention, substance use, recovery from substance use disorders and sexual health.
• Student Health, located in the Joyce Davis Waddell Center for Student Health and Wellbeing, provides primary medical care (including laboratory, pharmacy and radiology), disease prevention and screening, medication management, nutrition consultation and psychiatric referrals.

Programs & Training

• Mental Health First Aid and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) focus specifically on mental health and suicide prevention. Registration is open to students, faculty and staff for multiple training sessions throughout the semester.
• Green Dot empowers all members of our campus community to recognize, react and intervene during instances of interpersonal violence, including sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking.
• The Health Education Leadership and Prevention Certificate provides nonacademic credit for participating in various national prevention training opportunities related to mental health, interpersonal violence, substance use and medical emergencies.
• The Help Seeking Protocol protects students from disciplinary action for alcohol or drug violations when reporting crimes or seeking help during life-threatening substance emergencies.

crisis & suicide support

• ProtoCall provides students with 24/7 access to licensed clinicians working with CAPS to support acute or urgent mental health needs. After hours, call CAPS at 704-687-0311. When you connect to the CAPS voicemail message, press “2” to be connected with a counselor by phone. 
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a three-digit dialing code offering 24/7 access to crisis counselors. Text or chat 988 anywhere in the U.S. to be connected to trained professionals who can help persons experiencing thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance abuse crises, or other emotional distress. 
• RealResponse is a two-way anonymous communication and reporting platform for sharing sensitive information. Students, staff and faculty can send anonymous text messages, photos and videos to 855-612-5849. The platform is monitored from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• For immediate danger or emergencies, call 911, contact the UNC Charlotte Police and Public Safety at 704-687-2200 or send a message via the LiveSafe app.

campus departments & student organizations

• Student Assistance and Support Services is available to meet individually with students who need help addressing issues, concerns or challenges that may interfere with their academic or personal success.
• The Jamil Niner Student Pantry offers a variety of perishable and nonperishable food items to currently registered UNC Charlotte students. Current students can shop once a week, Tuesday through Thursday. Sign up for an appointment or shop during walk-in hours.
• The Office of Accessibility and Accommodation supports students who may be navigating a wide variety of documented disabilities, including mental health disorders and chronic medical illnesses, by working together to plan reasonable accommodations.
• The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX provides education, investigations and care coordination in relation to discrimination, discriminatory harassment and sexual or interpersonal misconduct.
• Niner Finances offers strategies to help balance saving, spending and even investing, while managing classes and campus life. If you are stressed about personal finances, Niner Finances can help you take control of your financial future.
• University Ombuds is a confidential, independent and impartial resource that informally helps individuals work through challenging problems, dilemmas and conflicts.
• Atkins Library offers a Self-Care Collection of free, loanable devices and books for students to check out when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, funded by Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds.

online resources

• Niner Nation Cares is a resource hub to connect students with the people, services and tools needed to make the most of their Charlotte experience.
• Basic Needs Services connects students with a variety of campus services for basic needs like food/housing insecurity, legal services and financial assistance.
• The online Care and Concern referral is a way to inform the University of concerns; information will be routed to the appropriate University office to assist students with getting connected to campus support services.

stay connected

We welcome your feedback and suggestions as to what we can do better to support you. Reach out to us. You can also follow clt_wellbeing and clt_urec on social media.

Meanwhile, save this email. Keep this information on hand for yourself or others in case it can be useful, now or in the future.