Mental Health Peer Services​

MHP NEURODIVERSITY SUPPORT SESSIONS (NSS)

To register for a session, click on the link below! A Mental Health Peer will be in touch with you soon afterwards to schedule your session.

Neurodivergent students (ADHDers, Autists, and others) often struggle with executive functioning. They may struggle with attention and focus, procrastination, organization, prioritizing, initiating tasks, and setting achievable goals.  These challenges may impact their ability to study, get school work done, and fulfill other responsibilities and tasks. While neurodivergent students can do very hard and complex things, they sometimes struggle to do easier or more boring tasks. If you are struggling in these ways, these NSS sessions are for you!

Our NSS programs typically include 40-minute long 1-on-1 sessions with a Mental Health Peer who will tailor the session according to the student's needs. 

​*NOTE: Sessions are scheduled within regular business hours.

Massage & Egg Chairs

The Mental Health Peer Program is located to the right of the main CAPS lobby. If you are standing in front of CAPS, follow the path to the right and enter building 434, door 100. Sign-in sheets to use the chairs will be found at the check-in desk. (NOTE: Last sign-ins for the chairs end at 3:30 pm so we can get everyone in before closing time.) All chairs are available on a first come, first serve basis.
MASSAGE CHAIRS

​We have 4 massage chairs! Our chairs combine air, heat, vibration and rollers to create a full-body, relaxing massage. They release tension and increase circulation which can ease general body pain, headaches, cramps, and reduce stress.
ALPHA WAVE EGG CHAIR
​
​Using the chair puts your brain into the alpha wave state, which is the most relaxed state possible while awake. It lowers pulse rate, releases muscular tension and revitalizes the body.
Peer Counseling
Our peers are trained to help students develop tools to better manage stressors related to school as well as relationships to family, friends, romantic partners, and roommates.  Peers can also help students get connected to other resources around campus.

The peers are available during business hours. If you are interested in coming in for a peer-to-peer drop-in session, please stop by the Mental Health Peer Program space. If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by either the MHP or the CAPS ​front desk. 

Workshops & Trainings

Are you interested in providing your residents, clubs, organizations, student coworkers with one of our Mental Health Peer lead workshops?

Select from many workshops, including:
  • CAPS 101
    • ​This presentation gives students an overview of all counseling services offered at UCSB, how to navigate mental health topics with others (recognizing warning signs of distress, bringing up concerns to friends, etc.), and other resources at UCSB.
  • Imposter Syndrome
    • A persistent belief that you've fooled people into thinking you're more competent and talented than you actually are
  • Microaggressions
    • This is a presentation that addresses the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.
  • Stress Reduction
    • Gain practical skills to tackle stress, learn how common stress is among college students, learn signs of stress.
  • Self-Care & Coping
    • Learn how to cope with the unique challenges that the pandemic brings and get some tips on how to take care of yourself more effectively during these times. (Also a version of stress reduction/self-care for students studying abroad!) 

Outreach to Campus Groups


Our peers actively reach out to student communities on campus to understand and identify the unique priorities and issues that are most challenging for each group. They also work collaboratively with these student groups to determine how to can best deliver programs to help them build on their strengths and increase resilience. Peers facilitate discussions, offer informative presentations, help groups learn skills to better manage their stress, cope with difficult relationships, and thrive in school.

Quarterly Events

Each quarter the Mental Health Peers host an event that helps students to better understand and address common challenges. Some of the events we have held in the past year provide tools to....
  • Learn how to effectively communicate your own needs when you are distressed
  • Learn how to talk about concerns you have for others when they are distressed
  • Increase self care
  • Reduce stress
  • Manage transitions (e.g., graduation, moving home, studying abroad)
Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to keep up to date on our next event! (@ucsbmentalhealthpeers)