Social Work Topics

Adjustment to campus life, dorm life
and roomate/relationship issues

It may be difficult for first year, transfer, international, as well as returning students to adjust to campus life. Issues involving stress with employment and academics may arise as well as struggles relating to socializing on campus and which activities or organizations to become involved in. All of these new factors can cause stress and anxiety in the life of a student and may require assistance in adjusting to these changes in one’s life.

We will direct you to the appropriate campus resources as needed and will provide information and support for individuals facing adjustment issues related to being new on campus, roommate difficulties, lack of or inappropriate housing, and other interpersonal relationship concerns.

---

Aggression and anger management

Aggression can involve physical aggression, (behaviors such as pushing, shoving, hitting or kicking), verbal aggression, (including threatening and intimidating others and engaging in teasing or taunting), as well as indirect aggression, (behaviors such as gossiping, spreading rumors and encouraging others to reject or exclude someone). Whenever one person intentionally tries to harm another, it is an act of aggression. There are ways to help control one’s aggression through anger management. Anger management can encompass many techniques and methods such as increasing one’s exercise, using stress and anxiety relaxation techniques, or through learning to monitor and change one’s cognitions and behaviors.

---

Crisis intervention

Students in a crisis situation may be experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, a recent death of a loved one, a sudden change in any aspect of their life, a financial crisis or a recent medical diagnosis.

We provide short-term crisis counseling and will work with the medical team at Sindecuse to ensure your needs are met. In addition, we will make referrals to the Western Michigan University Counseling and Testing Center and will facilitate urgent appointments. Referrals can also be made to Borgess Hospital Psychiatric services.

---

Dental Care

Students who are uninsured and who are experiencing a dental crisis are encouraged to contact the resources listed below to obtain insurance coverage to meet their dental needs.

---

Depression

Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood nor is it a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. Without treatment for depression, symptoms can last for weeks, months or years. Some types of depression run in families, suggesting a genetic component, while other symptoms may originate from low self-esteem, having experienced a serious loss, a difficult relationship or a financial problem. Any stressful change in one’s life patterns can trigger a depressive episode.

Short- term counseling and crisis intervention, referral to psychiatry, and other campus and community resources is available.

---

Diabetes

Diabetes is a medical condition where your body cannot make or use insulin correctly. Insulin helps change sugar into energy to keep you alive. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is mostly found in children and young adults. If you have Type 1 Diabetes, your body does not make insulin and you must take insulin shots every day. Most people with diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes, and are usually over 45 years of age, have diabetes in their family, are overweight, don't exercise or have cholesterol problems. It is also common in certain racial and ethnic groups (African Americans, American Indians and Hispanics) and in women who had diabetes when they were pregnant. If you have Type 2 Diabetes, your body cannot make enough insulin or correctly use it.

We offer adjustment counseling, assistance in obtaining diabetic supplies & medication, support and financial/insurance information and referral to assist you in managing your diabetes.

---

Eating disorders
(personal or friend/roomate)

Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior, and involve the extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating followed by vomiting, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight. Eating disorders are not due to a failure of will or behavior; rather, they are real, treatable medical illnesses in which certain maladaptive patterns of eating take on a life of their own. The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse and anxiety disorders and can result in serious health complications including heart conditions and kidney failure.

Eating disorder counseling

We provide short term counseling for individuals struggling with an eating disorder, referrals to the Western Michigan University Eating Disorder Treatment Team and/or dieticians, as well as providing support and guidance for friends and roommates of an individual who has an eating disorder.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out our own Eating Disorder Assessment and Treatment page for additional resources and some helpful suggestions.

---

Financial / Insurance Concerns

Students frequently experience a financial crisis when they receive a new medical diagnosis and have no resources to receive treatment and ongoing medical care.

The Medical Social Work Department assists students strained with financial issues by assistance in completing State of Michigan Medicaid applications when students meet eligibility requirements, applying for patient assistance programs through many pharmaceutical companies, and referrals to the Sindecuse Health Center Insurance Department.

---

Anonymous HIV counseling,
education and testing

$10 Fee for Rapid Testing for WMU students, area college students and the University community.

HIV antibody testing is encouraged for anyone who has had sexual intercourse without barrier protection, or has been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection.

Counseling and testing can help you evaluate previous risk behaviors and gain skills and confidence for risk reduction. Testing that occurs early in the infection process also offers you the greatest opportunity for maintaining the quality of your life. The counseling and testing process includes a 30 minute appointment and your results will be provided to you by the end of your appointment. Anonymous testing ensures that test results are not associated with your identity or your medical record.

Anonymous testing ensures that test results are not associated with your identity.

Call 387-4HIV for more information or 387-3263 to schedule an appointment.

---

Mental health

Mental disorders are characterized by abnormalities in cognition, emotion, mood, social interactions or planning of future activities. The signs of mental disorders vary with age, gender, race, and culture. Symptoms of a mental illness may include, but are not limited to, inappropriate anxiety, disturbances of thought and perception, feelings of depression, completion of repetitive behaviors, or the presence of irrational fears.

The Medical Social Work staff will provide a complete evaluation of your individual needs and will work with your primary care physician or psychiatrist in helping you cope with daily life changes as you adjust to a new diagnosis and/or treatment.

---

Pregnancy counseling
(male- or female-related)

Students at Western are faced with a difficult decision when given the news of an unplanned pregnancy. Many thoughts may run through a mother or father’s head such as, “I am too young to be a parent,” “I can’t believe this is happening,” and/or “What are my options?” Planned pregnancies may also cause stress if access to housing, finances and healthcare are of great concern.

We offer crisis intervention and short-term counseling for women and men faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Referrals and resource information to local and statewide agencies are facilitated.

---

Anxiety and stress management

Anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults age 18 years and older (about 18%) in a given year. (National Institute of Mental Health website, 2008) and can include the symptoms of panic or anxiety attacks. Most students experience feelings of anxiety before an important event such as a big exam, business presentation, or first date. Students experiencing anxiety may continuously worry about things, get tired easily, and may be in a constant state of tension.

Staff may provide short term counseling, referral for longer term counseling, resource information for campus and community stress management workshops, and education in relaxation techniques.

---

Substance abuse

The intake of alcohol, even at minimal to moderate amounts can slow your brain activity, affecting your alertness, coordination and reaction time and can also interfere with your sleep and sexual function. Heavy or binge drinking increases your risk of accidents and falls and over time, raises your risk of liver, kidney, lung and heart disease. An additional abused substance common to college students, marijuana, can cause short-term memory loss, impair your driving ability, limit your attention span, lower your immune system and cause deterioration of everyday cognitive functioning.

The Medical Social workers can provide an in depth understanding of your role as a member of an alcoholic family, how to help a friend with an alcohol problem, as well as providing direction in making healthy life choices. We can assist with referrals to the University Substance Abuse Center at the Unified Clinics if you have symptoms of addiction or if you are a substance abuser.

---

Transportation

Finding and maintaining stable transportation can be difficult for individuals who have disabilities, special needs, or who are new to the area. Coordination of public transportation and other community resources are available to assist you in traveling around the WMU Campus and the city. Kalamazoo Metro Transit offers free transportation to WMU students with their Bronco ID card.

We will assist you in finding appropriate transportation for your medical needs, including assistance with bus route coordination and Care A Van applications.