Daily Titan | Mental Health Guide | March 13, 2023

Club event highlights mental health barriers for students of color

because of the foundation and the thoughts and the ideology behind those statements,” Harrison said.

Harrison brought up an example of a microaggression she faced. Harrison had gone to the bathroom a couple times in the same day but ran into the same person twice. The person said to Harrison, “I see you so much it’s like you could work here.”

Harrison said she felt uncomfortable because it reflected how people of color are historically exploited in places like the service industry.

“Depending on who was saying that to me, which was the older white woman, I very much felt that she was equating me to the positions that she usually sees Black and brown bodies, which is not a colleague or a professor,” Harrison said.

Harrison likes to tell her students to remember a situation where something happened to you, and you felt uncomfortable afterwards but didn’t know why. This is likely a time when they experienced a microaggression.

The Latinx Student Psychological Association hosted an event to discuss the mental health of students of color last Tuesday with Dr. Asya Harrison, an associate professor of psychology at Cal State Fullerton.

In collaboration with the National Society of Black Engineers, LSPA put on the event while also discussing

the societal standards that have been put in place to keep people of color from succeeding as easily as others.

“We thought this was just an important topic to cover, especially since we’re a Hispanic serving institution,” said Vanessa Pelayo-Cobian, the president of LSPA.

Harrison was asked to speak at the event because of her research on the childhood and upbringing of Black and African American families, Pelayo-Cobian said.

The National Society of

Black Engineers is a club that provides networking and career opportunities for engineers. Nii-Kwame Oteng-Quarshie, the president of the club wanted to work with the organization because he felt like mental health is something that is often overlooked in STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“A lot of the time, it’s just about staying on the grind and just working, working, working, and not taking the time to assess what’s

going on with your mind,” Oteng-Quarshie said.

Harrison and Pelayo-Cobian began the discussion with an article about the education of minority children and unequal access to academic resources.

The group touched on microaggressions, which can be detrimental to students’ progress and self-esteem.

“Microaggressions are usually not conscious, intended to be malicious. They are statements that people say that are inherently racist,

Another topic was cultural barriers that prevent people from finding solutions to their mental health. Vanessa Pelayo-Cobian said machismo, the belief from Latinx culture that men shouldn’t cry or show their emotions, is one of the cultural barriers that prevents people from seeking help.

Pelayo-Cobian said she recommends people go to CAPS to use their resources and participate in activities to help their mental health.

“There are a lot of different ways you might want to replenish yourself and do self care to get yourself back on track,” Harrison said.

MARGARET TREJO Sta Writer

Asya Harrison, an associate professor of psychology at Cal State Fullerton, spoke on how racial inequities a ect mental health.

MARGARET TREJO / DAILY TITAN

Guided meditation soothes CSUF students

JEREMY JIMENEZ Sta Writer

The Social Justice and Equity Commission hosted a healing sound bath event, which allowed students to relax and de-stress by listening to resonant sounds, Thursday night at Tuffy Lawn.

The Sound Bath was conducted by Kyle Lam, founder of Kyle Lam Sound Hearing, a company based out of Orange County that has been hosting sound bath meditation events throughout Southern California since 2016.

A sound bath is a musically guided meditation that is meant to use the foundations of music through notes, harmonics, frequency and vibrations to help people focus on their emotions and live in the moment. The sound bath setup had many instruments, which included a set of four gongs, ten crystal bowls arranged in a circle, a crystal harp, rainstick, ocean drum and other smaller accessory instruments.

Each of the different instruments on display had different notes and tones. For example, Lam said the gongs in particular emitted a certain frequency that is soothing to the body. When participating in a sound bath, a person doesn’t just experience the auditory sensations of the music, but also feels the physical vibrations.

The event drew in around twenty students, and for many of them it was their first time experiencing this type of meditation. Upon arrival, attendees were advised to set up and make themselves comfortable, starting close to the instruments before expanding outward once more people arrived.

Students started either in a seated position or laying down while Lam began with a guided breathing exercise.

Once settled in, Lam began producing sound from crystal bowls and rotated between the different instruments, occasionally walking around the students with handheld instruments.

For the many students with full class schedules who are riddled with stress, maintaining a good state of mental health can be a challenge. Among other methods, a healing sound bath can prove to be beneficial for one’s

mental health, Lam said.

“There’s so much stimulation from our external environment that it prevents us from looking inward,” Lam said. “When we go into sound baths, which is basically a form of meditation, it gives us that safe and quiet environment to really explore our inner self.”

According to Lam, the first step to overcome any physical or mental issues is to have an exploration of the body and emotions. He said people may not be aware of the tension they are holding onto, which affects their decision making.

For Liam Joi Aquininog, a fourth year communications and advertising major, it was her first time doing a sound bath in person, but she has done it through YouTube before. She said she believes a sound bath can be beneficial for students looking for ways to tend to their mental health.

“I think it was very eye-opening,” Aquininog said. “I think there’s so many different forms of meditation, especially one of these, utilizing sound and music, just having this type of event is a good way to ground yourself.”

Students may not always have access to an in-person healing sound bath, but there are many other ways to participate in this meditation. Lam suggests for students to look up “sound bath” on audio streaming apps so they can find tracks using similar instruments to the ones used in the event.

“Leave it on for a little bit, put on a pair of headphones, find a quiet spot in your room, in your home or whatever, and allow yourself to soak in to the sounds. And notice what is actually going on within you,” Lam said.

Kyle Lam guides a restorative sound bath session to teach students about the mental health bene ts of meditation.

JEREMY JIMENEZ / DAILY TITAN

As week eight approaches, students might feel overwhelmed by their heavy workload but your study environment should foster productivity while still being relaxing.

Here are some spots around Cal State Fullerton to unwind while studying.

Pollak Library north wing second and fourth floor

If you need the perfect indoor spot to study while hanging out with friends, the Pollak Library north wing on the second or fourth floors is your go-to place. The floors offer a variety of seating options, from long study tables situated near the windows, to tables equipped with computers and built-in charging outlets.

Jesse Sanchez, a first-year

student in the teaching credential program, said he enjoyed the fourth floor for its natural lighting.

“The natural lighting is super relaxing. It doesn’t just feel like walls of paint,” Sanchez said. “Also at this level, there’s some chit chat going on, which is super nice, it’s not dead silent.”

Because the floors usually do have that faint ambient noise in the background, they are an excellent place for you to study with a few friends without worrying about loud disturbances.

Students can find quieter study spots in the south wing of the library on the third, fourth and fifth floors. For people who need to work without any distractions, these floors are perfect.

Zen Garden Education Building

For students who need a secluded nook to study in and be outdoors, the Zen Garden in the Education building is worth the visit. Located in the basement, this study spot is a small courtyard decorated with succulents and items to evoke peace and mindfulness.

The downside is that this spot only has one bench and one table with a couple of chairs, so the chances of being able to snag a spot during busy commuting hours are low, but not impossible. However, it’s still worth the venture if you’re able to find a free spot, and it is a peaceful area away from all the hustle and bustle for a few friends to host a study session.

CHELSEA ARANGCON Editor

Titan Student Union courtyard is a great outdoor place for students to study in groups while feeling the cool breeze on their skin.

DAVID NUÑEZ / DAILY TITAN

Mayank Saxena and Ashley Shenrs relaxing at the Arboretum.

DAVID NUÑEZ / DAILY TITAN

Shaded orange tables

If you’re looking to catch some fresh air while cramming for midterms, there are orange tables spread throughout campus. Some of these tables are also surrounded by shaded orange trees, like the ones in front of Langsdorf Hall.

Jason Gomez, a junior mechanical engineering student, said he likes to study at the orange tables because of the environment.

“I like the scenery, the green trees around, so that’s what brings me here,” Gomez said.

If you’re worried about studying without outlets, do not fret. These tables offer two standing charging outlets at the end of each table. The tables are the perfect spot to study outdoors and some even provide healthy snacks. When the temperature is just right for your needs, these tables offer a relaxing change of pace either to study alone or with friends.

The Titan Student Union Courtyard

The TSU has many great indoor and outdoor study spots, but the most notable one is the courtyard. Placed in the middle of the first floor, the courtyard offers a plantfilled outdoor haven. Whether you are by yourself or with friends, there are a lot of tables and a couple of lounge chairs and couches to sit at. Most of the seating is shaded and it usually doesn’t reach an intense level of chatter.

If you’re looking to relax in an environment that resembles being on a patio

instead of being on campus, the TSU courtyard is the perfect place to get work done or to even hang out with a few friends.

The Arboretum

If you’d like to take a breather from the main campus but

still stay in the area, the arboretum is located at the intersection of Yorba Linda Ave. and Associated Road. It’s an engaging botanical garden that offers a wide variety of plants worth walking by. While entrance is free, parking at the arboretum lot is $4 an hour.

There aren’t many tables and benches, but the arboretum provides an ample amount of grass space to lay down on. If you want to switch up your study location, bring a picnic blanket to the arboretum and situate yourself at a scenic study spot by

the lake. If you’re lucky, you might get to see little turtles and birds swimming around. The Arboretum is a great place to be surrounded by nature while studying, and can be a peaceful environment to help take your mind off the stress of school.

Pollak Library south provides students with air conditioned places to get work done or study alone without distractions.

DAVID NUÑEZ / DAILY TITAN

Pollak Library north fourth oor o ers plenty of tables for groups to relax and study together with ambient chit-chat in the background.

DAVID NUÑEZ / DAILY TITAN

How to use yoga to find your peace

BORLEN CHONG Editor

With so many stressors coming from school, work and maintaining a social life, students need to take breaks and establish time to destress. For any student feeling overwhelmed, incorporating a short yoga routine into your daily schedule can help focus your mind on the present.

A daily yoga routine can improve concentration and mental health throughout the week. Yoga has many physical benefits, like improving balance, helping with back pain, strengthening your heart and overall improving your level of energy.

Samantha Rebert, a yoga lecturer at Cal State Fullerton, said yoga uses meditation and breathing techniques

to help your body with relaxation and focus.

According to the American Osteopathic Association, yoga can increase body awareness, relieve stress patterns, relax the mind and center one’s attention. Because yoga helps you focus ono your posture and breathing, it can improve concentration throughout the day.

Rebert said it is more important to practice yoga frequently instead of marathoning your yoga routine in one day.

“It just depends on each person, I think that more so, the frequency is more important than the length of time. You can sit in meditation for three minutes and still get plenty of benefits from it,” Rebert said. “Maybe, 5 to 10 minutes, a couple times a week, should be enough.”

Yoga can also help improve academic performance. Rebert said doing physical activities can allow students to better access their brains.

“There’s actually research that’s been done that shows that if you’ve been physically active in the morning, that you actually have better test results for things like math,” Rebert said.

While having a workout routine trains the muscles, yoga, on top of physical benefits, also trains your brain, Rebert said.

Another big stressor students have is a lack of sleep. Because yoga helps improve your body’s relaxation, yoga can also help you get better sleep, according to John Hopkins Medicine.

For students who can’t find the time to practice yoga in the morning or during

the day, don’t worry. Yoga focuses on the practice of meditation and breathing. Students can incorporate breathing exercises into their day when they are waiting in a line, in class or just relaxing at study spots around campus. The most simple form of a breathing exercise is just breathing in through the nose, holding it for a few seconds, and then exhaling.

Meditation doesn’t have to involve sitting cross legged with your eyes closed, but can simply just be you setting aside your phone or laptop and focusing on your breathing while tuning out the noise around you.

Meditation and breathing exercises can be especially helpful with reducing stress and anxiety, calming your mind from everything you need to get done and

helping you refocus on getting that done.

It’s perfectly ok if you can’t incorporate a full 5 to 10-minute yoga session into your day. Instead if you find yourself overwhelmed with work and school throughout the day try practicing simple breathing exercises or drowning out all the extra noise through meditation.

However, if you have the time, then doing a yoga session in the morning can help activate your brain early on, improving your focus and mood for the rest of the day while providing physical benefits as well.

For students trying to practice yoga, CSUF offers one yoga course under the Kinesiology department. The Student Recreation Center also offers Vinyasa yoga and yoga sculpt sessions.

CHELSEA ARANGCON Editor

Cal State Fullerton is littered with flag poles that declare “Finish in 4 for you,” or “Finish in 4 for your future,” hoping to inspire students to graduate in four years. To do so, students are expected to take 15 to 18 units each semester as if they have no other obligations.

This expectation or standard goes against many CSUF students’ reality: for a typical student, their week consists of juggling between attending their 15-unit classes, working at their part-time job or attending on-campus clubs while maintaining other outside responsibilities.

The university should expand their programs and resources to include students who require more semesters to complete their degree.

According to The Healthy Minds Study winter and spring 2021 data report, 34% of students experienced anxiety, and 41% experienced severe or moderate depression. Due to the difficulties of these emotions, 27% of students reported a negative academic impact for six days or longer.

Adding a time frame students need to graduate within to feel successful only adds to their stress and can debilitate their already struggling mental health.

Laura Zettel-Watson, professor and vice chair of psychology at CSUF, said the four-year campaign has to be careful not to alienate students who don’t fall into the four-year timeline.

“It could increase the strain and pressure on students if they feel like that message is being forced upon them,” Zettel-Wattson said.

According to CSUF’s Draft Student Success Plan, their graduation initiative for 2025 expects 75% of first-year students to graduate in six years and 44% on the four-year track to graduate on time. In its most recent poll, 62% graduate in six years and 22% of four-year track freshmen graduate on time.

They hope to achieve this by

increasing the summer classes offered, hiring more student assistants and peer mentors and offering higher-unit online remedial summer courses for pre-CSUF enrollment.

While this initiative seems like a good idea, the issue lies in CSUF still pushing a four-year graduation plan and failing to address the financial or mental burdens it puts on them. It makes little sense to promote the four-year plan like it’s the only timeline to graduate in, especially when students have higher success rates when graduating in six years, at CSUF and across the nation.

Additionally, CSUF’s four-year graduation plan does not apply to every major. For example, a biology student with a cell and developmental biology concentration is advised by CSUF’s Academic roadmap to take 17 units for at least two semesters. Certain art concentrations expect 18 units for at least four semesters.

To “graduate in time,” these students are expected to take six classes over four semesters or summer courses, further adding to unnecessary psychological or financial stress.

According to the Ohio State University’s National Student Financial Wellness Study, 72% of college students experienced financial stress due to not paying tuition on time or their monthly expenses.

The Federal Pell Grant may seem like a reasonable financial solution, but not everyone qualifies for its aid, and it is a unit-based grant, meaning funding eventually runs out once 120 units worth of aid have been spent. This only adds to the stress of completing courses with a satisfactory grade, for added pressure is added to a student who may need to retake a class. Furthermore, some aid offered, like the Federal Pell Grant, only applies to tuition.

As a result, students may need parttime or full-time jobs to afford necessities, such as school supplies, bills, food and housing that scholarships and financial aid will not cover.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics study

in 2020, 74% of part-time and 40% of full-time students are employed. This further adds to their stress and impedes their ability to take 15 to 18 units and meet the four-year goal CSUF imposes on them.

To combat the inability to take many units each fall and spring semester. However, even taking one summer class can add to financial burdens.

Financial aid is given to students if they have remaining funds left over from the academic year. However, most students don’t have any aid left for summer and end up paying for these classes out of pocket or taking a loan.

In CSUF’s 2020 summer term, 7,942 students had to pay for courses out of pocket, and 955 students could use financial aid, according to the CSU’s Summer Enrollment report of 2020.

Summer courses can be costly; one undergraduate, three-unit summer class can cost $1,217.30.

Students are bound to become more stressed when they must take summer courses to graduate in four years, adding to unnecessary financial stress.

Elizabeth Boretz, the assistant vice president of academic advising at CSUF, said she recognizes the expectation of a four-year graduation rate does not apply to every student.

“Our message has to do with ensuring that every student understands that, that we want to empower every student to decide what is the timeline they’d like to take,” Boretz said.

While the university creates road maps and supports students aiming to graduate in four years, CSUF should implement more inclusive initiatives for those planning on taking longer. While encouraging people to graduate sooner for efficiency’s sake is admirable, it is not grounded to believe that it is achievable for everyone to accomplish such a task.

Although CSUF is currently looking for a new president, among other vacant roles after the retirement of Framroze Virjee, incoming leadership should consider rebranding or at least attempting to offer security in resources for those not pushing to graduate in four years.

SYDNEY CARROLL / DAILY TITAN