This is the last part of the Freshman FAQ, and it focuses on wellness.
Q: I’m from a warmer, sunnier climate, and I think I’m experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD). What should I do?
A: Light therapy with a sunlamp is an effective treatment for SAD. Contact the Wellness Center or the Counseling Center to learn where you can access a sun lamp on campus, or make an appointment to learn other methods of coping with SAD.
Q: How can I get more sleep?
A: The reason for lost sleep is different for everyone, but if you’re losing sleep due to schedule-overload, please make an appointment with an Academic Coach, who will help you with your time-management skills and managing academic-related stress. If there’s something else going on, and you want to talk about it or learn how to manage the stress it causes you, please make an appointment with our Wellness Center or Counseling Center.
Q: My family is putting a lot of pressure on me to succeed here. How can I manage the stress that this causes?
A: Your Undergraduate Dean is a great resource to help you overcome personal and family hardships. Talking to someone at the Wellness Center would be great as well, and for long-term stress management, you should make an appointment with the Counseling Center.
Q: I am struggling with substance abuse, and I want to stop. Who can I go to for help?
A: For counseling, make an appointment with the Counseling Center. The Wellness Center also offers a program called BASICS, a confidential, evidence-based program to reduce high-risk drinking. Email BASICS@Dartmouth.edu to schedule a one-on-one session.
Q: Who can I talk to for support in dealing with sexual assault?
A: I am sorry that you have to go through this, but please know that you don’t have to go through it alone. The Title IX Office provides a list of emergency resources. If you are in a crisis, please call 911 for medical attention or WISE, a 24-hour hotline at (866) 348-9473. WISE is a confidential resource, which means they cannot share the information you disclose unless required by law.
For long-term help, you can contact the Counseling Center, or if you prefer pastoral counseling, contact any of the ordained clergy affiliated with the Tucker Center. They are also a confidential resource, and they are familiar with resources and processes available to address sexual assault, gender-based harassment, and other forms of sexual misconduct. You can also reach out to an active SAPA, a peer who has undergone 34 hours of support-training. While SAPAs are neither a confidential nor private resource, they will report the subject matter of your discussion to their supervisor without disclosing your name and otherwise keep the conversation private. Dartmouth College Health Service has created a gender-based violence resource page that can help you find long-term support.
Q: What should I do if I think I have an eating disorder?
A: Please contact the Primary Care department at 603-646-9401 or the Counseling Center at 603-646-9442. Dartmouth College Health Service has an FAQ and resources for students with eating disorders.