College is often regarded as a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Students enter college with aspirations of establishing a career and are driven by ambitions for the future. Though a highly rewarding endeavor, college can present itself with many challenges. College can be associated with a high amount of pressure for students that can be difficult to navigate. It can be easy to feel alone and without direction. FGCU strives to support our students every step of the way through their college experience.
With that in mind, FGCU offers a variety of mental health resources available at no cost to its students. Many of these are located within the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, better known as CAPS. CAPS can be found on the third floor of the Student and Community Center located adjacent to Lucas Hall and Dunkin Donuts. CAPS offers counseling, group therapy, psychiatry, and referrals. In addition to CAPS, FGCU offers services that extend beyond the student population into the community.
If in immediate distress, FGCU offers a 24/7 confidential crisis line that connects students with a mental health professional. This service is referred to as EARS and can be reached at 239-745-3277. If looking for a more personal approach, TAO (therapy assisted online) is available to students free of charge. This resource is a program focused on building up coping skills to better address a multitude of stressors.
Keeping up with mental health begins with wellness. Wellness is another prominent focus that FGCU encourages. Wellness coaching is a wellness resource our campus offers. Wellness coaching focuses on several models of wellness and offers students a holistic approach to equipping them with everyday life. Outside of wellness coaching, Peers Care is an excellent resource. Peers care is made up of undergraduate students who share health and wellness advice with other students, fostering connection and community. When considering wellness, getting active is important to prioritize.
Physical activity is also an important component of overall wellness. FGCU offers various resources to help students stay active. This includes but is not limited to free group fitness classes, personal training and recreation and wellness activities. FGCU strives to help students find wellness through exercise. With that in mind, FGCU created the Exercise is Medicine program. This program gives students a free physical assessment as well as a free personal training session that helps curate an individual exercise regiment catering to personal goals. Following the assessment, students are paired with a peer mentor who they will regularly meet and workout with. These resources are designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle and support both physical and mental well-being.
Overall, FGCU’s comprehensive range of mental health and wellness resources provides students with multiple avenues to seek support, ensuring they do not have to navigate their college experience alone.
