The ability to manage stress, understand, and express emotions in a healthy way, and maintain positive relationships.

What Is Emotional Well-Being?

It's more than just "feeling good." Emotional well-being refers to how we understand, regulate, and respond to our emotions, how we connect with others, and how we foster a sense of meaning or purpose. It impacts not only our mental health, but also our physical health and resilience.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health

Balancing academics, relationships, responsibilities, and personal well-being can be challenging. Emotional well-being is an important part of mental health and involves understanding your emotions, managing, stress, maintaining healthy relationships, and recognizing when additional support may be helpful. Prioritizing emotional well-being does not mean feeling positive all the time but rather developing healthy ways to navigate challenges and respond to our own needs. Whether through setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, connecting with others, or seeking support, taking time to care for your emotional well-being is important.

Academic Stress and Mental Well-Being

Your emotional well-being plays an important role in your overall health and college experience. Managing stress and taking care of your mental health can support your ability to open with academic demands, stay engaged, and maintain your overall well-being. | Learn More

Substance Use and Mental Wellness

Substance use and mental health are closely connected. Many young adults experience challenges related to both. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 11.1% of young adults aged 18-25 experienced both a substance use disorder and a mental illness in 2025. Therefore, it is important to understand the connection between substance use and emotional well-being. Certain drugs and alcohol can negatively affect mental health, and individuals experiencing difficulties with their mental health may turn to substances to cope. Two examples are cannabis and alcohol use. Studies have found an association between cannabis use and anxiety and depression. Similarly, alcohol is often used to relax or improve mood, but chronic misuse can contribute to depression and anxiety. Both substance use and mental health conditions share common risk factors, such as stress and trauma. Understanding this relationship emphasizes the importance of taking care of our emotional well-being with healthy coping strategies.

Become a Peer Health Educator

Become a Peer Health Educator and make an impact while building your campus community! Students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher, an interest in health and wellness, strong communication skills, and a willingness to participate in training, weekly meetings, and campus events. You'll also have the opportunities to create wellness events, meet new people, make friends, and build connections across campus. A strong sense of belonging in college is associated with greater engagement, persistence, and well-being. | Apply Now

Engage With Your Well-Being

• GLP-1s: Hype or Help? | Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 2-3:30 p.m. | UC Breezeway
• National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Month
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21 | 1-3 p.m. | Westbrook Walkway
  • Thursday, Oct. 29 | 3-5 p.m. | Westbrook Walkway
• Climbing League
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21-Thursday, Oct. 22 | Outdoor Adventures | Learn More
    
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28-Thursday, Oct. 29 | Outdoor Adventures | Learn More
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4-Thursday, Nov. 5 | Outdoor Adventures | Learn More
• Wellness Week
  • Adult CPR, AED, and First Aid | Monday, Oct. 26 | 5-7 p.m. | Herbert Wellness Center | Learn More
  • Fitness Myth Buster Workshop | Monday, Oct. 26 | 6-7 p.m. | Herbert Wellness Center | Learn More
  • Ladies' Night with Girl Gains | Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Herbert Wellness Center | Learn More
  • Meditation & Chair Massage | Thursday, Oct. 29 | 1-3 p.m. | Centennial Village | Learn More
• Hunter's Moon Yoga | Monday, Oct. 26 | 7 p.m. | Lakeside Village | Learn More
• Wild Card Walk | Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 11:30-1 p.m. | Herbert Wellness Center | Learn More
• Soccer Referee Training | Monday, Nov. 2-Thursday, Nov. 5 | Apply Now
• Narcan Training | Wednesday, Nov. 4 | Noon-1 p.m. | Shalala Student Center
• Belly Dance Fusion | Friday, Nov. 6 | 4-5 p.m. | Herbert Wellness Center | Learn More
• Serve, Set, Slay Women's Night | Deadline: Friday, Nov. 6 | Register Here

Check your email every Wednesday for Ibis News to see upcoming events for the week, and view the University events calendar for a complete listing of on-campus events and programs.