Mental Health

Attention is your cognitive ability to engage in the present, and for students this engagement is with learning. An average attention span can be different for everyone and affected by biology, environment, sleep, health and stress. Many experts believe that the average attention span for an adult is around 20 minutes.

Body image can be defined as “the subjective picture or mental image of one's own body,” though there are many factors that contribute to the way we see ourselves.

Stress and anxiety related to the novel coronavirus is normal. The fear of the unknown can at times feel overwhelming. During this trying time, taking care of your mental health is essential. See below for resources, information, tips and strategies on how to best manage stress and anxiety in this turbulent time.

TAO includes over 150 brief, effective, educational sessions covering over 50 common topics and skills related to mental health, wellness and substance use issues. TAO Includes interactive sessions, mindfulness exercises and practice tools all aimed at helping you achieve your goals.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share feelings with others. This skill is learned through practice and cultivated throughout our lives. It helps you connect with the people around you and build community.

We have an innate need to connect with others, and there are times when we may still feel alone, even when we are surrounded by other people. Loneliness may be described as a state of mind characterized by a discrepancy between what we hope or want from a relationship and what we actually experience.

Resilience is the ability to adapt to the stressors that we experience in everyday life. Resilience is not a trait that people have or don’t have, rather it is a skill that everyone can develop and practice over time.

It is normal to feel down when you find yourself experiencing challenges during your time at Clemson and in life. Loneliness, stress, loss and uncertainty can trigger feelings of sadness that may seem overwhelming at times but generally become more manageable as you adjust to changes and find your stride.

Self-compassion is the ability to extend patience, forgiveness, acceptance and care inward to yourself. It is a way for people to care for themselves when faced with challenges or failure. People who are self-compassionate often experience greater happiness, are more optimistic and have increased motivation.

According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life and safety.

It is normal to experience discomfort when adjusting to change, even when those changes appear to be positive. Stress itself is not always bad and can act as a motivator to address a problem.

Tigers Together is Clemson University’s suicide prevention initiative. Our primary purpose is to prevent suicide by decreasing risk factors, enhancing protective factors, facilitating gatekeeper workshops via our Tigers Together Advocate Training (TTAT) program, reducing stigma and creating an overall community of caring for the Clemson University family.