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Self-Help Resources

This page includes many useful links that will help you learn more about many common personal concerns.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Culture variables are important aspects to any self-help journey and are included within all topic pages listed below and more in culture & diversity counseling resources. Or find COVID-19 mental health resources.

Visit the following link for a video about Mental Health – Thoughts Feelings Behaviors by Dr. LuAnn Helms, UNCW Counseling Center Associate Director.

Please realize that it is advisable to verify the accuracy of what you read on the Internet by consulting other independent and reliable sources, including the clinical staff at the UNCW Counseling Center. None of the resources are affiliated with or endorsed by the UNCW Counseling Center.

These information sources are offered as an educational supplement and are not intended to replace counseling with a qualified professional. If you have personal concerns that you would like to discuss, please contact the Counseling Center at 910.962.3746.

If you have difficulty accessing any information from the Counseling Center web pages or other information throughout our site, please contact us by telephone at 910.962.3746 or by email at CounselingCenter@uncw.edu and we will provide alternatives.

Self Help Resources

Addictive Behaviors The goal of this section is to point out warning signs and symptoms of addictive behaviors and to provide some resources. See More
Adjustment Starting or leaving college can create different emotional reactions from everyone. Any new environment can lead to anxiety around what to expect and having to learn how to navigate new places and requirements. See More
Adversity Adversity can take many different forms for people. The word is sometimes interchangeably used with trauma with adversity often being easier for people to identify with openly. See More
Anxiety Anxiety is one of the most common concerns that students experience during their college careers. It is a common experience and a word that everyone knows, but you may not be aware that you are experiencing it unless you recognize the symptoms that accompany this phenomenon. See More
Body Image & Eating Concerns Body image and eating concerns often arise together in engaging in certain eating habits that then lead to body changes and reinforce the need for continued food restriction. See More
COVID-19 We understand that this situation may be troubling or triggering to many in our community. We’re all likely experiencing some emotional discomfort given the spread of Covid-19 and the disruption to our lives. See More
Depression Everyone feels sad sometimes. You may even experience times when you are unmotivated or when you have negative thoughts about yourself. See More
Culture & Diversity The Counseling Center strives to provide a welcoming, safe and affirming space for all students. In order to provide that space, we must remain willing to challenge ourselves and others to learn about lived realities, support individual needs, and celebrate our differences. See More
Family Family has a different meaning to different people. Generally it is caregivers and children or people from a common ancestry. See More
Grief & Loss The loss of a loved one or important relationships are some of the most painful challenges life will give us. If you are grieving a recent loss, you’ve likely been given advice on how to handle your pain. See More
Mindfulness When you are mindful, you are fully aware of your current experience. As one might expect, we can get stuck on the “nonjudgment” part of the mindfulness definition. See More
Relationships Healthy relationships and support systems can significantly increase our wellbeing. We have the power to increase our relationship skills, whereby increasing our chances to develop healthier more satisfying relationships. See More
Self-worth Self-worth is the internal sense of being good enough and worthy of love and belonging from others. Self-worth is often confused with self-esteem, which relies on external factors such as successes and achievements to define worth and can often be inconsistent leading to someone struggling with feeling worthy. See More
Sleep Sleep is the best 33% of life because it directly impacts the other two-thirds of life but is often underappreciated. Just like other mammals, we need sleep like we need water and food for survival. See More
Stress We all experience stress—it’s part of being human. Believe it or not, stress is not always a “bad” thing! In fact, experiencing “optimal” stress energizes and motivates us, allowing us to overcome obstacles and rise to the challenges we face. See More
Well-being UNCW defines well-being as a holistic approach to daily life that acknowledges the integration of many facets that contribute to an individual’s experiences of the self, others and world. See More
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