Our friends from Pet Partners of Ohio and their dogs Ohio and Josie will join us for candy, games, coloring, crafts, and all-around chill vibes. Ohio is one of our old friends and Josie is our new friend from Mental Health day. Mark your calendar now – you won’t want to miss it!

The university is changing the direct deposit system from the third party Transact/CASHNet system to an in-house system on Buckeyelink. You must re-enroll starting March 1 to continue getting refunds directly deposited into your bank account. Please log into Buckeyelink and click on the Account Refund link to enroll in the new Direct Deposit system. If you do not re-enroll, any refunds you get will be a paper check sent to your Current Address.

Make some springtime plans! From the return of our MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew to Blooms and Butterflies at the Franklin Part Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, there is much to look forward to in Columbus. Check out these and more can’t miss spring events! Also, for those who are missing football, check out the Ohio State spring football game or run/walk the Ohio State 4-Miler, which finishes on the 50-yard line in Ohio Stadium.

Would you like to learn about how the heart impacts not only physical, but also mental health? Heart rate variability can actually give us insight into our stress levels, with higher variability tending to correlate with lower levels of stress and vice versa. The good news is, heart rate variability is something you can work on through exercises like mindfulness, meditation, and breathing. If you’ve heard these recommendations but have questioned whether they’ll really work for you, the Stress Management and Resiliency Training Lab is a great resource to see firsthand through biofeedback how different healthy habits can impact the way our body experiences stress. In addition to offering free coached and self-guided biofeedback sessions, the SMART Lab also offers group meditations and online modules for practicing stress management skills outside the lab.

Thinking about talking to a professional about your mental health, and looking for someone who reflects your identities? While all clinicians at Counseling & Consultation Service (CCS) are trained and committed to working with a wide variety of concerns and backgrounds, some students may feel most comfortable connecting with a therapist with shared experiences. Here are a few ways to connect with a counselor if you have specific identity preferences in mind:

Schedule a Let’s Talk consultation with a clinician of your choice. The CCS website offers a list of the clinicians who are currently offering Let’s Talk, and you can click on each person’s name to read their bio.

Participate in an affinity group at CCS. For example, in addition to psychoeducational and process groups, CCS currently runs several groups centered around students of color, queer students, and international students—as just a few examples!

Schedule a phone screening or use the Community Provider Database to get connected with a provider in the community who meets your needs. Your phone screening clinician and the database can both provide support to find providers nearby who take your insurance and fit specific preferences in terms of identity, expertise, and therapeutic approach.

Students can receive a complimentary subscription to the Review of Optometry publication. Interested students can sign up online. Direct questions to Hamilton Maher at hmaher@jhihealth.com.

Jen Bennett, Director of Student Services, 614-292-2973, bennett.1075@osu.edu
Heidi Bosworth, Special Event Coordinator, 614-247-1636 , bosworth.31@osu.edu
Candace Johnson, Assistant Director of Admissions, 614-292-4247, johnson.5380@osu.edu
Kiara Occulis, Admissions Counselor, 614-292-1190, occulis.1@osu.edu
Becca Roby, Assistant Director of Student Services, 614-292-0497, roby.77@osu.edu

Dr. Shawn Levstek continues to be available to students via teletherapy on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and also will be available for in-person sessions on Mondays in Fry Hall 539, if desired. All students with questions or concerns can contact Dr. Levstek directly via e-mail at levstek.4@osu.edu. In addition, all Counseling and Consultation Service counseling resources remain available, and that office can also be reached at 614-292-5766 for crisis or urgent support, 24/7.

Take a look at this comprehensive list of mental health and wellness resources for most any interest, need, or concern at https://ccs.osu.edu/services/mental-health-resources. Some resources are even available 24/7! If you have questions about how to use or access these resources, feel free to reach out to Jen Bennett.

For the safety of others, if you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, please take a COVID-19 test. It’s helpful to have tests on hand in case you need one. If you test positive, please quarantine for five days from the day your symptoms started. You may return to in-person activities on day six if you are fever-free without medication for 24 hours and your symptoms are resolved or substantially better. You should wear a mask for five days once you return. If your quarantine period requires you to miss mandatory class/lab activities or midterms/practicals, please contact your faculty. If you will miss clinic time, please follow notification procedures for being out of clinic.