Center for Counseling and Wellness

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Ranked #12 in the nation for 2024 Best Student Support and Counseling Services

Caring for your mental health

The Center for Counseling and Wellness is a free resource for Calvin students who aim to grow and thrive during their college years. We serve as a hub for mental health services both on and off campus, providing weekly group therapy, coping skill workshops, short-term individual therapy, peer listening services, therapeutic digital tools, and off-campus treatment referrals. We also offer free self-help materials on campus, such as a wellness room and a light box lending program.

Looking for some tips on strengthening your mental wellness? Check out this list based on the “head/habits/helpers” framework.

• HEAD: Learn new things
  • Use your Calvin email address for free access to Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), where you can learn specific strategies for managing uncomfortable emotions and strengthening relationships.
  • Complete The Science of Well-Being course, offered online for free through Yale University.
  • Learn more about anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention, using online resources such as Active Minds and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
  • Learn more about time management and study skills, utilizing resources gathered by the Center for Student Success.
  • Follow the Center for Counseling and Wellness (CCW), the CCW Student Advisory Board, and Calvin Unmasked on Instagram for mental health tips, encouragement, and learning resources.
• HABITS: Care for body, mind, & spirit
  • Take action each day in support of your mental health. Whatever is in your toolbox of coping skills, be intentional in working those practices into your life, and take time to do things just for fun.
  • Engage in prayer and/or meditation. Consider using an app such as Abide or Headspace to provide structure around these practices.
  • Avoid mindfulness numbing, whether through social media scrolling or substance misuse. Take time to engage in activities that ground you and get you in touch with yourself so you can pay attention to your needs.
  • Eat regular meals throughout each day. Fuel your body with healthy food , avoid unhealthy dieting, and practice mindful eating in support of your physical and mental strength.
  • Get 7–9 hours of sleep per night, keeping a consistent bedtime routine. Be intentional about your sleep hygiene to maximize healthy rest.
  • Move your body every day, whether that involves stretching, walking, or more intensive exercise. For guided online exercise options, check out this list compiled by Calvin’s group fitness program. You can access yoga videos created specifically for Calvin students on our CCW YouTube channel (bonus: they’re trauma-informed).
  • Spend time in nature - walking outside in green and blue spaces is great, but even just a few moments looking at nature out the window or listening to nature sounds will benefit your body, mind, and spirit. Aim for at least 2 hours per week for maximum benefit.
• HELPERS: Nurture supportive relationships
  • Spend time with people who energize you and build you up, including some time with people in-person each day as you’re able.
  • Talk with a counselor about painful emotions, such as anxiety or depression. A list of available off-campus counselors can be found at ThrivingCampus, and on-campus counselors are available for weekly group therapy and short-term individual therapy through the CCW during the academic year.
  • If you are living with others (whether family, friends, or new roommates), keep open lines of communication. Having clear guidelines about day-to-day expectations while also spending intentional time together will help create a positive environment.
  • Participate in a faith community that is supportive of your spiritual growth and mental health. If you have questions about your faith journey, consider talking about it with Campus Ministries.
  • Be a helper to someone else! Support a friend in quarantine, volunteer for a cause you believe in, or simply make a point of smiling at others. Don’t forget to keep healthy boundaries and practice your own self-care along the way. If you’re looking for tips on talking about mental health with a friend, check out the videos at Seize the Awkward.
  • Utilize a virtual mental health resource. In the state of Michigan, those with distress related to COVID-19 can connect in real time with a caring person via a phone warmline or online support group - contact info & links are available through the Michigan Stay Well program.
  • To stay safe when interacting with others in-person, follow CDC recommendations regarding COVID-19. If you have not yet been fully vaccinated against the virus, talk to your doctor about next steps for getting protected.

As always, don’t try to handle a mental health emergency on your own, whether it’s yours or a friend’s. There are numerous 24/7 crisis resources available in the United States, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and the Steve Fund (for young people of color). In the Grand Rapids area, emergency mental health support is available through the Pine Rest Urgent Care/Contact Center. On campus, Campus Safety is available 24/7 to help connect you with needed emergency supports.

Let us know how we can support you in connecting with mental health resources!