We are now accepting anonymous questions about student health and wellness. Simply leave an anonymous comment on this post, and a trained peer educator will publish your question and our answer within a week. We're here to answer those questions you were always too shy to ask.
Your questions will be screened by an administrator, so please no inflammatory or libelous comments. No defamatory questions will be posted. Don't be shy! Ask away!
NOTE: The answers will be reviewed by health professionals at Johns Hopkins for accuracy, but this Q&A forum does not constitute medical advice. It is simply an outlet to talk about health issues on campus.
Who are we?
- PEEPS
- Preventative Education and Empowerment for Peers is a peer health education program at Johns Hopkins University designed to provide a setting in which students can discuss and explore health issues. We are a part of JHU's Center for Health Education and Wellness, located in AMRII, Room 0223.
How do I get the pill from health and wellness?
ReplyDeleteTo get the pill through Student Health and Wellness, simply call for an appointment. When you come in, they will ask some questions and check your blood pressure to make sure the pill is safe for you. If everything checks out, you can start the pill without a pelvic exam. However, if you decide to stay on the medication, you will need a pelvic exam within a nine month period from the time you start the pills.
ReplyDeleteFor more information, check out: http://ww2.jhu.edu/shcenter/loader.php?page=birth_control.html
I dont think I can feel happiness even though I really want to be. I keep myself involved with extracurriculars and exercise and I think I'm healthier now than ever but I feel empty inside like a robot. What can I do?
ReplyDeleteWhat you are feeling is very normal- especially in college. With the pressures of schoolwork, exams, and extracurriculars, it can be hard to feel happy. It sounds like you are taking steps to boost your mood by getting involved and exercising, but it doesn't seem to be enough. I would recommend getting in touch with JHU's counseling center. They see over 1,000 Hopkins students every year to help them cope with their emotions. They offer free and confidential services to all students and can assist you to help fill that emptiness you are feeling. You can visit their website: http://www.jhu.edu/~ccenter/ to learn more or call 410-516-8278 to schedule an appointment
ReplyDeleteIf you would like to talk one on one with another student, you can vist A Place to Talk (APTT). APPT is a student-to-student peer listening for the Hopkins community. They are undergraduate students who have been trained to listen and help you come to your own solutions. All phone calls and visits to APTT are always confidential. You can visit http://www.jhu.edu/~aptt/ to learn more.
If you believe you may be suffering from depression, this free online screening tool may be useful. https://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening/welcome.asp
I highly recommend getting in touch with either the counseling center or APPT. Both are great campus resources that could be very helpful to you. Even just talking to someone about your feelings can make a world of difference. Best of luck!
Sometimes its hard to stay focused and my mind wanders especially when I am working on a hard problem. It seems whenever I have a hard problem to solve, I try to avoid it. Then its hard to get back into the problem. If the problem is easy, my mind wanders anyway. How can I stay focused?
ReplyDeleteYour problems with focusing could be due to a number of reasons. Stress, sleep deprivation, burnout, or an underlying disorder could be the cause.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to first look at your lifestyle. Are you getting enough sleep (7-8 hours) every night? According to new research, college students who go to bed late are more likely to have poor quality sleep, which may affect their mental health and academic performance(American Academy of Sleep Medicine 2007). If you feel your quality of sleep could use improvement try getting to bed earlier, avoid caffeine in the evenings, and set aside a solid 7-8 for sleep each night.
If sleep isn't the problem, it could be stress. If you have too much on your plate, your brain might have a hard time focusing on the task at hand. Prioritize things in your life by making a list and taking it one step at a time. If you can't remove items from your 'to do' list, you can try to release some stress through exercise, stretching, or even just taking an hour our of your day to relax. Every other Monday Stressbusters give out free 5-7 minutes massages on Q-level in the library. One is coming up on 11/17 if you'd like one!
If you feel your problem could be more than stress or sleep, it may be time to see the Student Health and Wellness Center or the Counseling Center to see if it could be a health issue. Both are completely free and confidential and can help you determine what might be the problem. To learn more about both offices visit:
http://ww2.jhu.edu/shcenter/ or
http://www.jhu.edu/~ccenter/.
Hope this helps and good luck!