Wellness Central: Helping Others

Wellness Central is part of an effort to promote health and wellness to college students, faculty and staff. This video is about helping others who are in emotional or distress.

California Community College students can access the full Wellness Central portal on their Canvas account. Or, contact our Health Services office! https://www.gocolumbia.edu/health_services/

>> Well, I would like to think that I've helped
people who have had their own share of anxiety.

I volunteer at the David Lambert
Community Center for the Homeless.

And we see a lot of people who come in
there who have anxiety or are depressed.

>> Well, see I was Assistant Drug Counselor.

I've dealt with some serious situations
where I had to do things to help people.

>> So, as a tutor, I help
students very frequently.

And a lot of students when they come
in, sometimes they know they need help

but they don't know specifically
how you can help them.

>> I'm in the, the nursing program, right now.

And so, and we're doing our, our
mental health rotation, right now.

And so, what I'm learning about, about
helping people deal with stress and anxiety.

And basically, being available to listen to
somebody is the biggest thing you can do.

>> I seek out a close friend and I have to say
that if we don't build those relationships,

then those close friends aren't there
to help us through time of need.

So, it's kind of a, a two-way street.

>> Generally, anytime someone's available to
talk with me, they help me in a time of stress.

So, friends have helped me.

Siblings have helped me.

Parents have helped me.

People that I just meet walking down the street

that are willing to talk,
they've helped me, too.

Just as long as I have someone to talk with.

>> He said, ''Mike, do you
know who you are?'' I said,

''Yeah.'' ''Do you know what you do?'' I said,
''Yeah.'' He says, ''So, why are you worrying

about somebody's false report?'' People
gossip and say things all the time.

You know. If you allow yourself
to be caught up in that,

you won't be fulfilling what you need to do.

>> So, it's sometimes difficult
to help others because sometimes,

they don't know how you can help them.

But what happens, very frequently, is
they don't know that they need help.

>> Sometimes it's difficult to help others

because you don't know exactly
where they're coming from.

>> It can be difficult to help others
because you have enough problems yourself.

>> You could be the first to help
someone find the resources they need.

The prospect of seeking out resources can be
stressful and frustrating for someone in need

and is a barrier to getting help.

You can help remove that barrier by doing
the research and helping them connect.

Crisis Text could be a good start.

>> I just refer them to this card.

I just, I keep it with me
just in case someone needs it.

It's because I'm not professional.

These people are.

>> It's definitely important to help others.

>> A long term cause of happiness
in us is helping others.

So, it is sort of a selfish
thing, as well, but in a good way.

Because you're helping them.

They're getting the benefit of your help.

It's a win-win.

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