Journey
Welcome to your Mat -Su College educational journey. There are many rewarding experiences along the path to your ultimate goal, but there will also be challenges along the way. The Journey Program focuses on health and wellness activities to build up the Mat-Su College community and to help you rise to challenges, cope with stress, and stay healthy as you make your way through this exciting, but often hectic, time in your life.
Collect 5 stamps in your passport and bring it to Student Services to enter a drawing held at the end of September, October, and November.
Earn a stamp each time you...
Be sure to ask about your stamp at each Journey event, stamps will not be given retroactively for in person events. Events held over Zoom will have a 7day grace period for getting a stamp. Zoom event stamps are available at Student Services.
Journey-Approved Activities.
- September
Suicide Awareness
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2022
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: As many as 1 in 5 college students are affected by symptoms of anxiety or depression or both. How do we identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and addictions? Join Jill Ramsey for this seminar discussion about
depression, anxiety, suicide prevention and the ways in which individuals can help someone who may be in crisis.QPR Friday
Date: Friday, September 23, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom (Register)
Description: The QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) program is an emergency mental health intervention that teaches people to recognize the warning signs of suicide, talk with someone who may be at risk for suicide to persuade them to get help, and refer at-risk individuals to appropriate resources for help. This training is open to students, faculty, and staff. Please register in advance to receive a Zoom Invitation.AK Health Fair at Mat-Su College
Date: Thursday, September 15, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Various areas across Mat-Su College Campus
In collaboration with Alaska Health Fair Inc, Matanuska-Susitna College (MSC) | UAA will host a health fair to provide students and the Mat-Su Valley community access to health screenings, affordable blood tests, free health education information and education activities. The event will be open to the public. We will invite organizations and health care providers from the Mat-Su Valley to staff an exhibitor table including: Mat-Su Health Foundation, Mat-Su Health Services, Maple Springs, Innergy, Sama Massage, Mann family Dentist, LifeMed, Grizzlies Family Fitness and more. We will have students from our health and human services field lead educational activities and demonstrations. - OctoberClothesline Art ProjectDate: October 3, 2022Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.Location: FSM 208Description: Alaska Family Services will be on hand to assist students and staff in putting messages of non-violence on t-shirts for display. They will have materials available regarding services for domestic violence.Implicit BiasDate: October 11, 2022Time: 12 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.Location: FSM 105Description: Ms. Roderick will help us examine how we all have implicit bias. Where does it come from? How can we be aware of it? How does being aware of it helps us combat its negative effects?Therapy Dogs Midterm WeekDate: October 10-13, 2022Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.Location: FSM LobbyDescription: Relax and de-stress with a little animal therapy during mid-term week.Campus Nature Trail WalkDate: October 17, 2022Time: 12 p.m.Location: Nature TrailDescription: Join Journey as we head out to explore our campus trails with Dr. Talis Colberg, Mat-Su College Director. Starting outside the Director's Office. See you there!Lauren's Promise-Memorial WalkDate: October 18, 2022Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.Location: Mat-Su CampusDescription: Lauren’s Promise is a vow that anyone – faculty, staff, students, parents, and community members – can take to indicate to others that they represent a safe haven for sharing incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking. Anyone who makes Lauren’s Promise will listen to and believe those individuals who are being threatened or experiencing sexual assault, dating violence or stalking and will help connect victims to support resources. By making Lauren’s Promise, individuals are helping to change campus cultures that respond poorly to dating violence and stalking throughout the nation.Alcohol 101Date: October 19, 2022Time: 12 p.m.- 1 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Description: Presentation from Sarah Mills, Alcohol, Drug & Wellness Educator, about standard drink sizes, BAC and drinking responsibly.Social Justice WorkDate: October 25, 2022Time: 12 p.m.- 12:50 p.m.Location: FSM 105 and Zoom
Description: Ms. Roderick will help guide us through discussion of where and how we can all make an impact in our community in promoting fairness and equity.Campus Walk: Indoor TourDate: October 31, 2022Time: 12 p.m.Location: Mat-Su CampusDescription: Join Journey as we glean from our campus history and take an indoor stroll through campus with Dr. Talis Colberg, Mat-Su College Director. Meet outside the Director's Office. - NovemberGratitude Week: Thank someone today!Date: November 14-18, 2022Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.Location: FSM LobbyDescription: According to research on the psychology of gratitude, led by Robert Emmons, expressing your thanks can improve your overall sense of wellbeing. As we approach the Thanksgiving season, take a moment and identify what you are thankful for. Write a thank you note to someone who has positively impacted your academic journey or your life. Address the envelope with their name and mailing address. Place it in our mailbox in front of Student Services during gratitude week and we will add the postage and mail it for you. If it is someone in the MSC campus community (advisor, staff, or faculty) write their name and we will make sure they receive it.
- DecemberTherapy Dogs Finals WeekDate: December 12-15, 2022Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.Location: FSM LobbyDescription: Relax and de-stress with a little animal therapy during finals week.
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January
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February
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March
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April
Counseling Services
Mat-Su College students may receive up to 3 free counseling appointments with an licensed behavioral health clinician. To make an appointment, call Mat-Su Health Services at 907-376-2411 and identify yourself as a Mat-Su College student. You may meet with the clinician on campus or at Mat-Su Health Services.
Mat-Su Valley Community Resources
Visit the United Way website for a complete listing of local organizations and agencies.
My Mental Health: Do I need Help?
First, determine how much your symptoms interfere with your daily life.
![illustration of a student resting in bed](/journey/_images/sleep.png)
Do I have mild symptoms that have lasted for less than 2 weeks?
- Feeling a little down
- Feeling down, but still able to do job, schoolwork, or housework
- Some trouble sleeping
- Feeling down, but still able to take care of yourself or take care of others
![Illustration of jogger](/journey/_images/jogger.png)
If so, here are some self-care activities that can help:
- Exercising (e.g., aerobics, yoga)
- Engaging in social contact (virtual or in person)
- Getting adequate sleep on a regular schedule
- Eating Healthy
- Talking to a trusted friend or family member
- Practicing meditation, relaxation, and mindfulness
If the symptom above do not improve or seem to be worsening despite self-care efforts, talk to your health care provider.
![illustration of student being rained on](/journey/_images/rain.png)
Do I have severe symptoms that have lasted 2 weeks or more?
- Difficulty sleeping
- Appetite changes that result in unwanted weight changes
- Struggling to get out of bed in the morning because of mood
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable
- Unable to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities
- Thoughts of death or self-harm
![Illustration of doctor](/journey/_images/doctor.png)
Seek professional help:
- Psychotherapy (talk-therapy)—virtual or in person; individual, group or family
- Medications
- Brain stimulation therapies
For help finding treatment, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/findhelp.
If you are in a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
(8255),
or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).
Publications