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...

• Participate in a Journey event
• Attend a FAFSA or Scholarship Workshop
• Use the math or writing tutoring services
• Join a library information session
• Meet with a career counselor in Student Services
• Meet with your advisor to plan for next semester
• Attend a Student Government meeting     
 
                        Journey Passport Fall 2022
 
                     

Event Questionnaire

                 

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.

     

  •  October
     
      
    Therapy Dogs Midterm Week
    Date: October 10-13, 2022
    Time: 10 a.m. -  3 p.m.
    Location: FSM Lobby
    Description: Relax and de-stress with a little animal therapy during mid-term week.
     
     
     
     

     

  •  November
    Gratitude Week: Thank someone today!
    Date: November 14-18, 2022
    Time: 8 a.m. -  5 p.m.
    Location: FSM Lobby
    Description: We all forget to say thank you sometimes. This week is all about letting those around us know how much we appreciate them and all they do. 
     
     
     
     

     

  •  December
    Therapy Dogs Finals Week
    Date: December 12-15, 2022
    Time: 10 a.m. -  3 p.m.
    Location: FSM Lobby
    Description: Relax and de-stress with a little animal therapy during finals week.
     
     
     
     
  • January  

     

      
  • February

     

     

     

     

     

  • March
     

     

     

     
     
     
     
     
  • April

     

     


Counseling Services

Mat-Su College students may receive up to three 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
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
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
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
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

Depression Basics (PDF)Seasonal Affective Disorder (PDF)Depression and College Students (PDF)Teen Depression (PDF)