For many students, final exam season can be one of the most stressful times of the year.
During this trying period, students should be sure to maintain regular contact with family and friends for support, be mindful of their diets, exercise and get regular sleep, according to John Dages, director of the University Counseling Center.
“Students should try to mix in fun as well,” said Dr. Dages, a psychologist and professional lecturer in psychology, “so it all doesn’t become work.”
According to Dr. Dages, students should be aware of a variety of signs of depression, both during finals period and throughout the rest of the year.
Signs include difficulty sleeping, appetite changes, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or completing assignments, increasingly using alcohol or other drugs, inability to enjoy normal activities and feeling sad, overly anxious, frequently overwhelmed, irritable, guilty or helplessness.
Another concerning behavior is withdrawal from friends. “This is certainly more pervasive than just having to go to the library to study for the next 18 hours,” Dr. Dages said. “This is a more general kind of isolation from others, often with no specific reason.”
Students who experience signs of anxiety or depression, and parents, friends, roommates, faculty or staff who notice those symptoms in a student are advised to contact University Counseling Center, said Dr. Dages.
The center, which has more than a dozen psychologists on staff, is open each day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
There is a hotline available at all times, which connects callers to mental health professionals, and a full-time psychologist is always on duty at the university, Dr. Dages said.
Students who contact the center can expect to undergo a psychological assessment, which includes questions about family history and past mental health treatment, over the phone or in person, according to Dr. Dages.
The initial assessment is free, and although costs are incurred for future appointments, Dr. Dages said the center will always try to work with students who have financial hardships.
“Many health insurance plans reimburse for counseling fees, and counseling is free for students on the GW student health plan,” said Peter Konwerski, senior associate vice president and dean of students. “The modest fees collected at the center help support student outreach, reduce appointment waiting times and provide staff development.”
The center is also in regular contact with the Office of the Dean of Students and GW Housing Programs, and it works with the student group Active Minds, for which Dr. Dages serves as faculty sponsor. Active Minds works to increase students’ awareness of mental health issues by developing education and advocacy programs on campus
Hotline 24/7: 202-994-5300. Website: gwired.gwu.edu/counsel. The center and Active Minds are co-sponsoring several upcoming events, including the 31st annual Chalk-in, which will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 26 on H Street between 21st and 22nd streets.