Journey

The Journey Program at Mat-Su College is a health, wellness, and personal growth program that provides and advertises a series of activities and events available to all students, staff, faculty, and community members. Each month will offer an array of different discussion topics, presentations and/or exercises.

Event Questionnaire

Journey MSC UAA logo
 
 

Journey-Approved Activities.

  • September

    Suicide Awareness
    Date: Thursday, September 8, 2022
    Time: 12:00 a.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 
    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. 

  • January  

    'Know Before You Go' Avalanche Prep
    Date: Tuesday, January 18
    Time: 12:00-12:50 pm
    **New Location: Fred & Sara Machetanz Building - Room 205 (on-campus) or via Zoom (virtual)
    Description: The Alaska Avalanche Center will teach a one-hour avalanche preparedness course called "Know Before You Go".

      
  • February

    Winter Wellness Oils Open House
    Date: Thursday, February 3
    Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 p.m.
    Location: Fred & Sara Machetanz Building - Room 208
    Description:     Join Samantha Lamphier from Simple Solutions for essential oils education and winter wellness tips at this open-house event, and leave with some personalized oil blends!

     

     

    Sexual Health
    Date: Thursday, February 24
    Time: 12 pm - 12:50 p.m.
    Location: Virtual via Zoom
    Description: Join Planned Parenthood for an interactive “mini sex-ed lesson” covering relationships and consent! In this virtual workshop we will develop a clear understanding of sexual consent, including how to ask for and show consent in verbal and non-verbal ways, in addition to covering the differences between supportive, unsupportive, and abusive relationships. We will end with a community resource brainstorm and leave time for questions.

    Content: We will touch on topics that could be sensitive for folks such as a brief overview of relationship abuse and consent.

    Self-care, Self-love and Hot Cocoa!
    Date: Thursday, February 14
    Time: Grab and Go Starting February 14th (while supplies last)
    Location: Lobby of FSM in front of Student Services
    Description:      Alaska winters are long and cold. Join us for our Self-care, Self-love and Hot Cocoa event, by picking up your Hot Cocoa mix to go. Self-care and self -love are important components to our overall well being, we are just helping you sweeten up the moment. This event is brought to you by Journey and Winona Benson, Nourished Health Coaching Services.

  • March
    Traditional Healing
    Date: Tuesday, March 1
    Time: 12 Noon
    Location: Virtual via Zoom Link
    Description: Join us for a virtual Traditional Healing Gathering with Yaari Walker, Indigenous Consultant.
     
     
    Bystander Intervention Student Training 
    Date: Wednesday, March 2
    Time: 2:30 pm - 3:45 p.m.
    Location: Virtual via Zoom Link
     
    Presenter: Betty Bang, APRN, Family Nurse Practitioner, Health Promotion Team, UAA Student Health and Counseling
     
    Description: Bystander intervention can help prevent sexual assault and domestic violence in our community. This presentation is very interactive with skill building activities and scenarios for everyone to participate in. It is a great way to teach our community how anyone can make a difference by stepping in and speaking up in a safe way against violence. 
     

    To those participating in the Bringing in the Bystander® training program:Our presentation works to educate and raise awareness on sexual violence prevention issues. We teach individuals how to be pro-social bystanders in situations that may lead to sexual violence or assault. We understand that these types of topics are difficult to discuss, and respect that those present may themselves, or someone they know, be a survivor of sexual violence or sexual assault. If any of the presentation is triggering, please know it is voluntary to be present, and individuals can choose to pass on any of the activities we participate in during the presentation. We are truly trying to spread a culture of respect and hope this training provides attendees with the necessary information and skills to prevent sexual violence and sexual assault in the future, or refer anyone needing help to the proper resources. Please know we appreciate any and all participation to help raise awareness of this topic.

     

    Opioid Crisis: Where do we stand?
    Date: Wednesday, March 23
    Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m.
    Location: Via Zoom
    Description: Join us for a panel moderated by Judy Gette for an information session on the Opioid Epidemic by hearing from the frontline concerning the crisis in our community.
     
    Gardening in Alaska
    Date: Wednesday, March 30
    Time: 12:00 - 12:50 p.m.
    Location: Via Zoom
    Description: It is Gardening in Alaska - creative solutions to growing your own food with Jodi Anderson.
    Survey Link
     
     
     
  • April

    Earth Day
    Date: Wednesday, April 6
    Time: 12:00 p.m. 
    Location: Via Zoom 
    Description: Did you lose trees from the harsh January wind? Plant a tree! It was a rough winter-- join us for an information session on planting trees!

    A Walk with the Campus Director - Outside Tour
    Date: Monday, April 18
    Time: 12:00 p.m.
    Location: Meet outsider JKB 101 Director's Office
    Description:      Join us for a wellness walk and learn about the history of the college, with Dr. Talis Colberg, College Director.

     

    A Walk with the Campus Director - Inside Tour
    Date: Monday, April 11
    Time: 12:00 p.m. 
    Location: Meet outsider JKB 101 Director's Office
    Description: Join us for a wellness walk and learn about the history of the college, with Dr. Talis Colberg, College Director.

    Therapy Dogs
    Date: April 26 & 27
    Time: 10:00-3:00 p.m.
    Location: Fred and Sara Machetanz Lobby

    Description: Looking to de-stress from Finals Week? Come and join Stanette, Gabe and Carole Shay from Alaska Assistance Dogs for some cuddles and hugs from our furry friends.


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)