Worried About My College Kid

The depression and suicide stats for 10-24 year olds are sobering. This episode is must-listen for families and friends of kids in college because it gives you words and guidance if you are worried about their mental health. Few are better prepared to guide us through this topic than guest Todd Sevig, Director of the University of Michigan’s Counseling and Psychological Services. After the interview, we try the Instant Vacation technique that’s always ready when you need to get away.

Episode Highlights

  • A snapshot of today’s college student mental health
  • 3 important considerations when you’re concerned about your kid
  • Words and approaches you can use when you want to talk with your child, relative, friend or colleague
  • If and how to bring up concerns about suicide
  • The Instant Vacation technique for quick, calming getaways

About Guest Todd Sevig

Todd Sevig is a clinical psychologist and the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Michigan since 2001. Todd is a longtime leader in college mental health and his affiliations include the Association of University and College Counseling Directors, the International Association of Counseling Services and the University of Michigan’s Depression Center.

Related Episodes

Mental Health Resources

National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 800-273-HELP (8255)

  • Crisis Text Line (US & Canada): Text HOME to 741741
  • SAMHSA National Healpline (for anyone concerned about mental health and substance abuse in themselves, relatives, friends, etc.): 800-662-HELP (4357)
  • Worldwide Suicide Prevention Hotline (lists resources by country)

Quick Calm Video Workshop

Get ready for the year with fast-acting ways to get focused, boost your mood, feel less overwhelmed and fall asleep easier. The Chill Factory host Jordan Friedman’s Quick Calm self-paced video workshop does exactly this by teaching you 10 data-driven stress and anxiety reduction techniques that he’s been teaching his stressed audiences for years. Learn more at quickcalm.net and use the discount code college to get 20% OFF through 1/31/22.

The Chill Factory App

Chill between episodes with The Chill Factory app, your calming companion to The Chill Factory podcast. It’s like a ‘spa in your pocket’ with hundreds of relaxing audio tracks, sleep enhancers, mindfulness guides, wellness reminders and much more updated daily. Download The Chill Factory app from the App Store or Google Play .

Instant Vacation Technique

Think about a peaceful, beautiful place where you’ve been or want to go.  Close your eyes (optional) and focus your attention on this place or situation. Picture it in as much detail as possible including colors, light and shapes. Listen to and hear this place; are there trees rustling, birds, ocean waves, etc? Smell this place, ie grass, flowers, sunscreen, candles, etc. Feel your surroundings, maybe a breeze, the warmth of the sun, your skin against a warm blanket, etc. Stay on this ‘vacation’ and sense all of it’s pleasant benefits; return whenever you wich (even if it’s just for a minute).

Alternatively, you can precede the above steps by focusing on an actual image or images of a place or situation you’ve enjoyed or hope to enjoy in the future. Keep these images handy for quicker ‘trips’ to calm.

About Host Jordan Friedman

Jordan is known as The Stress Coach, a career path that likely started when one of the world’s largest brain tumors was discovered in his head at age 10. The resulting, nonstop stress continued through college until he reluctantly enrolled in a stress management class that led to much less stress, a degree in public health, a job as Columbia University’s health education director and now a career as a global stress management speaker, trainer and author. For 25 years, Jordan’s been privileged to help and learn from 9/11 survivors, teachers, CEOs, police officers, incarcerated adults, students and lots of other stressed people who want to be more successful, get better grades, sleep easier and be healthier.

In 2004, Jordan founded The Stress Coach to provide innovative workshops, multimedia webinars, chill apps, online courses and more stress-relief opportunities. The Chill Factory podcast is Jordan’s latest effort to bring stress relief and better health to the world.

The depression and suicide stats for 10-24 year olds are sobering. This episode is must-listen for families and friends of kids in college because it gives you words and guidance if you are worried about their mental health. Few are better prepared to guide us through this topic than guest Todd Sevig, Director of the University of Michigan’s Counseling and Psychological Services. After the interview, we try the Instant Vacation technique that’s always ready when you need to get away.

Episode Highlights

  • A snapshot of today’s college student mental health
  • 3 important considerations when you’re concerned about your kid
  • Words and approaches you can use when you want to talk with your child, relative, friend or colleague
  • If and how to bring up concerns about suicide
  • The Instant Vacation technique for quick, calming getaways

About Guest Todd Sevig

Todd Sevig is a clinical psychologist and the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Michigan since 2001. Todd is a longtime leader in college mental health and his affiliations include the Association of University and College Counseling Directors, the International Association of Counseling Services and the University of Michigan’s Depression Center.

Related Episodes

Mental Health Resources

National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 800-273-HELP (8255)

  • Crisis Text Line (US & Canada): Text HOME to 741741
  • SAMHSA National Healpline (for anyone concerned about mental health and substance abuse in themselves, relatives, friends, etc.): 800-662-HELP (4357)
  • Worldwide Suicide Prevention Hotline (lists resources by country)

Quick Calm Video Workshop

Get ready for the year with fast-acting ways to get focused, boost your mood, feel less overwhelmed and fall asleep easier. The Chill Factory host Jordan Friedman’s Quick Calm self-paced video workshop does exactly this by teaching you 10 data-driven stress and anxiety reduction techniques that he’s been teaching his stressed audiences for years. Learn more at quickcalm.net and use the discount code college to get 20% OFF through 1/31/22.

The Chill Factory App

Chill between episodes with The Chill Factory app, your calming companion to The Chill Factory podcast. It’s like a ‘spa in your pocket’ with hundreds of relaxing audio tracks, sleep enhancers, mindfulness guides, wellness reminders and much more updated daily. Download The Chill Factory app from the App Store or Google Play .

Instant Vacation Technique

Think about a peaceful, beautiful place where you’ve been or want to go.  Close your eyes (optional) and focus your attention on this place or situation. Picture it in as much detail as possible including colors, light and shapes. Listen to and hear this place; are there trees rustling, birds, ocean waves, etc? Smell this place, ie grass, flowers, sunscreen, candles, etc. Feel your surroundings, maybe a breeze, the warmth of the sun, your skin against a warm blanket, etc. Stay on this ‘vacation’ and sense all of it’s pleasant benefits; return whenever you wich (even if it’s just for a minute).

Alternatively, you can precede the above steps by focusing on an actual image or images of a place or situation you’ve enjoyed or hope to enjoy in the future. Keep these images handy for quicker ‘trips’ to calm.

About Host Jordan Friedman

Jordan is known as The Stress Coach, a career path that likely started when one of the world’s largest brain tumors was discovered in his head at age 10. The resulting, nonstop stress continued through college until he reluctantly enrolled in a stress management class that led to much less stress, a degree in public health, a job as Columbia University’s health education director and now a career as a global stress management speaker, trainer and author. For 25 years, Jordan’s been privileged to help and learn from 9/11 survivors, teachers, CEOs, police officers, incarcerated adults, students and lots of other stressed people who want to be more successful, get better grades, sleep easier and be healthier.

In 2004, Jordan founded The Stress Coach to provide innovative workshops, multimedia webinars, chill apps, online courses and more stress-relief opportunities. The Chill Factory podcast is Jordan’s latest effort to bring stress relief and better health to the world.