How Orlando Students at UCF and Valencia Can Reduce Anxiety and Loneliness
Dr. Alexander Sidawi
Dr. Sidawi is an Orlando based, UF trained physician who is happy to be serving the community he grew up in by offering a combination of psychiatric medication management and psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Managing Mental Health as a College Student
Orlando students at UCF and Valencia can ease anxiety and beat loneliness by using campus counseling services for help with anxiety issues like social anxiety and panic attacks. Joining peer groups and social activities helps make friends. Mindfulness workshops and meditation apps can lower stress. Joining mental health awareness programs can help you feel connected.
Utilize Campus Counseling and Professional Support Services
Feeling anxious is normal for college students, but help is available. At UCF and Valencia, students can use campus counseling and support services.
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) offers help like counseling, crisis support, and referrals for other needs. They provide in-person and online counseling, making it easy to access.
CAPS helps with issues like depression, anxiety, and school stress. There’s crisis support available anytime. Dedicated teams at Valencia provide emotional and academic support, making sure students have access to guidance for both personal and academic challenges. Student health services, such as UCF’s SHS also provide both general and mental health medical care.
Connect Through Peer Support Groups and Social Outreach
Students at UCF and Valencia can find support through peer groups and social activities. These groups help students understand their feelings and boost their self-esteem. Many who join these groups manage to stay in school and do well.
The universities offer various group sessions and activities that welcome many students each year. Programs like LEtGO and cultural events help students make friends and connect with the campus community.
Online platforms also provide safe spaces for interaction and support anytime. Joining clubs or campus events can help students meet others with similar interests.
Inclusive programs and feedback options make sure all student voices are heard, making the campus welcoming for everyone.
Practice Mindfulness and Attend Stress Management Workshops
College life can be stressful, so students at UCF and Valencia find it helpful to learn mindfulness and go to stress management workshops.
Mindfulness can lower anxiety, depression, and stress. Research shows that poor sleep often makes these issues worse for students, making strategies like mindfulness especially important. Students who practice it get better at handling emotions, being kind to themselves, and sleeping well.
UCF and Valencia offer regular mindfulness meditation sessions, yoga classes, and stress-relief events during exam weeks. UCF’s Student Health Services Wellness & Health Promotion office runs group programs teaching breathing techniques, self-compassion practices, and strategies for managing anxiety triggers.
Apps like Headspace and Calm are promoted during these sessions, offering tech-friendly options for self-care. On campus, weekly events like “Wind Down Wednesdays” at UCF or “Mindful Mondays” at Valencia allow students to relax and build habits that support emotional wellness.
Regular practice can lead to better stress handling and mental health. Joining these programs helps students take care of themselves so they can help others better.
Build Community by Participating in Awareness Initiatives
Get involved in awareness initiatives to connect with others and build a supportive campus.
Join groups like Active Minds to talk openly about mental health. Take part in challenges like Seize the Awkward to learn how to spot distress and help friends. Mental health is as ìmportant as physical health, so participating in these groups can have a positive impact on your overall well-being.
Attend or organize events to highlight mental health issues and promote seeking help. Share educational materials and join online groups to reach more people.
Volunteer, join community forums, and attend workshops to meet others with the same goals. This helps reduce loneliness and empowers you to support others.
Understanding When to Seek Professional Help for Anxiety and Loneliness
Mindfulness, peer support, and campus wellness programs can go a long way in helping UCF and Valencia students manage anxiety and reduce feelings of isolation. But for some, these strategies may not provide lasting relief.
Persistent anxiety and deep loneliness may signal an underlying mental health condition like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or depression. In these cases, working with a licensed psychiatrist can make a significant difference.
Psychiatrists offer clinical assessments, prescribe medications when appropriate, and collaborate with therapists or university counseling teams to create a holistic treatment plan.
Seeking psychiatric support means you’re taking the next step to feel better, with professional guidance tailored to your needs.
Looking For A Psychiatrist In Orlando Florida?
Dr. Sidawi is happy to be a part of your journey towards mental health, or at least point you in the right direction. Please either fill out the contact form below, call or email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are now scheduling adults age 18 and up residing in Florida for initial appointments. Unfortunately, due to laws around cash pay we cannot see patients who have Medicare or Medicaid.
Email: Info@AnalyzePsych.com
Phone: 407-900-9656