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Name & Gender Data Updates at Student Health Service and CAPS

As of February 26th, 2025 Student Health Services (SHS) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) are collecting and storing students’ lived first names, pronouns, gender, and sexual orientation independently of the rest of campus. This will allow students to use a name and pronouns with their healthcare providers that they may not be comfortable using with the rest of the university. An initial update questionnaire will be assigned to students upon their first appointment after February 26th, 2025.

For a full FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) menu, please visit this information page by selecting the button below:

Name & Gender Data FAQ

To visit the Student Health Service Website, please select the button below:

Student Health Service Website

To visit the CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) Website, please select the button below:

CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) Website

Resources for Socio-Political Stress

Sociopolitical stress has been shown to significantly affect mental health, especially in college students. The constant barrage of news, social media conversations, and personal encounters with these issues can contribute to a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, anger, and depression. As a result, it is important to recognize the connection between sociopolitical stress and mental health, and to develop effective strategies for coping. By understanding the underlying factors of this stress and adopting healthy management techniques, you can better navigate the complexities of an increasingly polarized world and protect your overall wellbeing. If you notice any of the following signs, you may be suffering from sociopolitical stress. 

• Worry & Anxiety: Finding yourself thinking about the political climate constantly and its implications, which can increase anxiety and worry, making it hard to relax and enjoy your usual activities.

• Difficulty Concentrating: Having trouble focusing on work, studies, or your personal life due to racing thoughts about the political climate.

• Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomach aches, and increased heart rate, are symptoms associated with anxiety.

• Difficulty Sleeping or Sleep Pattern Changes: Waking up feeling tired or have trouble getting a good night's rest because your mind is racing about the political implications.  

• Increased Irritability: Things that normally wouldn't bother you trigger frustration more easily.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!  There are many ways to manage socio-political stress and there are resources available to you. 

UwIll, an online mental health resource contracted with UCSB CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services) is available to UC Santa Barbara students.

Uwill is available with the use of free available credits (plenty are available) and can also be used for brief online therapy 30 minute sessions without needing the approval from CAPS. Additional sessions can be extended upon request with CAPS as well!

You can register for Uwill here with your UCSB email address:

UWill

For additional resources on managing election stress, check out this new resource page:

Sociopolitical Stress Management

Additional sessions can be extended upon request with CAPS as well! You can register for Uwill here with your UCSB email address:

Register for Uwill (Online Mental Health Resources & Therapy)