Director's Corner: Frances Diaz, Psy.D.

Frances Diaz, Psy.D.

Dear UCI Students and Community,

The Counseling Center stands with and extends empathy to our students, staff, faculty, and entire UCI Community who are directly and indirectly impacted by the anti-black racism that continues to plague our country and the continued impact of COVID19 on our daily lives.  Our communities are hurting.  Know that we see you, we support you, and we are here for you. The profound psychological impact of these current events, on top of the many losses people are experiencing from COVID-19, are REAL and can weigh on us. 

The Counseling Center is guided by the values of Service, Community, Inclusion & Advocacy, and Integrity & Accountability. We, as a UCI community, must not become numb to the longstanding experiences of systemic oppressions that have come to a culmination in the current times. We must recognize the grief, pain, sadness, despair, anger, exhaustion, and full range of emotions that are being experienced before true healing can begin.   It is our hope that the UCI Anteater community can come together in support of those who are suffering. Please take care of yourselves and reach out to take care of one another, as the healing power within our community is great.  Please also know that the UCI Counseling Center is here to support you.

Sending Support!

UCI Counseling Center Staff 

 

During regular business hours (Monday through Friday 8am-5pm) in order to schedule routine appointments and for all other inquiries:

  • Please Call (949) 824-6457 to speak to a front office staff member about scheduling an appointment, to learn more about our current services, or if you trying to reach one of our mental health professionals.
    • Please note that if someone from our office has to return a phone call that it will come from a blocked number
    • In case we do not reach you, please ensure you have set up your voice mail and that you regularly check your messages

For Life Threatening Emergencies or for Urgent Care needs 24/7:

  • Call (949) 824-6457 and select Option # 2. You will be transferred to a crisis support line
  • Text “Home” to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line
  • Call National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255
  • Call UCI Campus Police at (949) 824-5223
  • Call 911
  • Go to your nearest Emergency Room

 

Frances Diaz- UCI Counseling Center Director 

Mind Your ZOT!

Preparing for College!

Here are 6 tips that will help you prepare for going back to college and staying motivated in Online Classes.

  1.  Set Goals: Set small, attainable goals for each class to avoid getting discouraged and overwhelmed. Keep track of your goals by writing them on sticky notes and placing them around your home, or create a spreadsheet to track your progress. And remember, small successes will help lead to your ultimate goal.
  2. Create a Schedule: Develop a plan to stay on task so you can complete your coursework while still allowing time to enjoy the things you like to do. Schedule set times to log in to your course and to study, create reminders of due dates on your calendar or phone, and build in ample breaks to give your mind some time to take in what you’re learning. Having a plan will increase your likelihood of success and will help you reach your goals.
  3. Get Social Virtually: When you take online classes, you won’t see your classmates or instructor face-to-face. To avoid feeling isolated, make it a habit to interact with your peers and instructors through instant message, email, Google Hangouts, discussions forums, or by phone. Doing so will help keep your spirits high and help you develop a level of accountability to your coursework.
  4. Share Knowledge: Talk about your coursework with friends and family. Make connections to what you’re learning in your personal and work life. Sharing your knowledge with others can help you develop a sense of pride and accomplishment.
  5. Stay Healthy: Taking care of your mental and physical health can help your academic performance. As you build out your schedule, try to work in regular exercise, healthy meals, and plenty of rest and relaxation. If you’re not sure where to begin, contact your school’s respective recreation or counseling centers.
  6. Reward Yourself: Everyone deserves a pat on the back every now and again. As you complete your coursework, take time to recognize your achievements, whether you’ve finished a really boring textbook chapter or totally rocked an exam. Reveling in your accomplishments and taking breaks will help you keep a positive attitude and stay motivated.

For more informatoin on how to manage stress related to the COVID-19 outbreak, please click here. 

Additional Resources:

Notice of Nondiscrimination