Int’l Spiritual Teacher and GRAMMY Rocker Empower Inner Support with

New Spoken Word Music Album

Available Now On All Music Listening Platforms

 “… an extraordinary piece of spoken word poetry. The objective is clear: it is necessary to keep connected to your own paths no matter how distracting other possibilities are.” –RIVAL ONLINE

“Gleaming waves of delicious harmonic surfaces travel above as Zaheer’s soothing, hypnotic voice imbues the spoken-word lyrics with beckoning warmth…” –CelebMix 

“… ‘unusual,’ nurturing album…” – Ella Cobb –DAILY CAMERA

“…  an incredible and almost unprecedented collaboration between healer and teacher…” –GALORE

“Discover inner peace and mental clarity…” –OmTimes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(Boulder, CO, November 20, 2023) – For college students, heading home for Thanksgiving and winter break may not feel so merry, especially with the increasing rise in anxiety and depression from world events. After thousands of client hours helping many Gen Zers navigate their lives during Covid, Diana Zaheer, a spiritual teacher with over 30 years of experience, joined forces with musician and producer, Lincoln Parish, best known for his work as the lead guitarist of the alternative rock band Cage the Elephant, to create Over the Counter Meditations (The Orchard, Nov 2, 2023) a spoken word LP with a metaphysical purpose for positive transformation and reliable support during pivotal moments in people’s mental health journeys.

“I want people to have a variety of support tools as they navigate difficult moments in their daily lives,” says Zaheer, a Boulder resident who grew up in a family of healers in the San Francisco Bay Area, spending 15 years in an inner work school, and gaining wisdom from master teachers across the globe while living overseas in Asia and the Middle East for 12 years. “Feelings of hopelessness, sleep problems and lack of energy really can be helped when we have inner support. The spoken word album is a response to that need. Lincoln designed soundscapes and music – across many different genres – that move my short concentrated teachings in ways we did not even imagine.”

“I created musical emotion through a cinematic landscape,” says Parish, now a thriving music producer at his Nashville Talk Box Rodeo studio. “And it was exciting to allow Diana’s unusually soothing and compelling voice to stay in the forefront.” Parish originally co-founded Cage the Elephant with lead singer Matt Shultz and his brother, rhythm guitarist Brad Shultz, in 2006. Since moving on from the band he has worked with a variety of artists, including Lilly Hiatt, Rivers And Rust, Alicia Blue, and more. “This project broke the confines of writing typical pop songs, and it was therapeutic for me.”

Generation Z, also known as the most anxious generation, will benefit from the positive and creative approach Over the Counter Meditations brings to access support, as music is known to activate the limbic system triggering emotion in listeners.

In addition to the album, Diana has created many inner support tools including music videos (there will be 10 music videos for this album), relaxing meditations and her website’s private and free virtual healing rooms, which can also be accessed as playlists on her YouTube channel. She will soon be publishing a book about healing.

Please take a few minutes to enjoy this gift of Diana’s BREATHING MEDITATION and come back to yourself.

As well:

• Here is the link for people to listen to Over The Counter Meditations on all music platforms.
• You can also check out the single, “Your Side of the Street.”
• Watch the music videos on Diana’s YouTube channel.
• Visit her website.
• Media is welcome to listen on the private link.

If you’d like to chat with Diana and Lincoln, please contact laurie@lauriegraff.com. There is availability for interviews, reviews, roundups, broadcast, podcast, radio etc.

ABOUT DIANA ZAHEER

(Photo by Pop Portraits, Miss Emma Cole)

ABOUT LINCOLN PARISH 

(Photo by Tammie Valer Official)

Law school competition judges include DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Councilmember Christina Henderson, Councilmember Brooke Pinto, and Councilmember Zachary Parker

November 15th, 2023 Washington, D.C. – Registration opens today for the inaugural Richard K. Gilbert Policy Advocacy Competition, a law school competition designed to encourage law students to pursue careers in legislative advocacy. The competition, hosted by DC Justice Lab, is an opportunity for students to build their legal skills in the policy realm, including legal analysis and reasoning, legal research, and written and oral communication. Judges have been selected for their expertise in policy advocacy and include DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Councilmember Christina Henderson, Councilmember Brooke Pinto, and Councilmember Zachary Parker.

“I am pleased to join the DC Justice Lab by supporting this important opportunity for students to flex their advocacy muscles,” said Chairman Mendelson. “This competition will ensure we have more policy-focused advocates working with District lawmakers in the fight for justice, and a diverse and inclusive system.”

In its inaugural year, the competition will be open to students from any law school. Eight teams representing eight law schools will respond to the competition problem with proposed legislation and a fact sheet explaining their proposal. Mock legislative hearings will test teams’ oral advocacy on behalf of their bills. Teams will be scored by judges on their written work and oral advocacy, advancing through rounds tournament-style. The competition will conclude with an awards presentation and reception where the winning team will receive a $5,000 prize.

“We are excited to offer an experiential learning opportunity focused on lawmaking and legislative drafting. Students learn a lot from reading case law in their classes, but it’s crucial to recognize the power of change beyond the courtroom.” said Patrice Sulton, founder and executive director of DC Justice Lab. “This is an opportunity to teach aspiring candidates, Hill staffers, and movement lawyers how to craft solutions to our most pressing community challenges.”

The event honors Richard K. Gilbert, a champion of legal justice who believed that lawyers must not only help individual clients, but also help society at large by changing laws for the better. Rich was an adjunct professor at American University’s Washington College of Law, a forceful advocate for criminal justice reform, and a mentor to DC Justice Lab’s founding executive director. The Gilbert Policy Advocacy Competition honors Rich’s passion and his mentorship of younger lawyers to become change agents.

To register for the Richard K. Gilbert Policy Advocacy Competition visit https://dcjusticelab.org/policy-advocacy-competition

#

ABOUT DC JUSTICE LAB
DC Justice Lab is a team of law and policy experts researching, organizing, and advocating for large-scale changes to the District of Columbia’s criminal legal system. We develop smarter safety solutions that are evidence-driven, community-rooted, and racially just. We aim to fully transform the District’s approach to public safety and make it a national leader in justice reform.

Media Contact:
Vasuki Wilson
vasuki@risepublic.com
202.294.2342

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will install its 360th chapter at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, on Nov. 3. Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society recognizing academic excellence.

The installation of the Sacred Heart chapter comes after a thorough petitioning process, site visit and approval from the Society’s board of directors. To be eligible, an institution must be a regionally accredited four-year college or university with an established reputation of excellence and an expressed commitment to upholding the values of the Society.

“Congratulations to the dedicated individuals supporting the Sacred Heart University chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. Your commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement performed globally exemplifies our values. May your chapter support your institution’s commitment to educating the whole person while preparing students to lead and serve in the world today,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer.

Officers elected by the chartering group to serve the newly installed chapter include President Dr. Christina Gunther, President-elect Dr. Molly Paguaga, Secretary Guljana Torikai, Treasurer Chris Lieby, and Awards Officer Chris Mavrides and Volunteer and Service Learning Officer Anne Johnson.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded when Marcus L. Urann had a desire to create a different kind of honor society—one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 325 select campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines and inducts approximately 25,000 new members each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students, along with faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization’s more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards $1.3 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact
Alyssa Papa
Director of Communications
apapa@phikappaphi.org
(225) 923-7777

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will install its 359th chapter at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Oct. 25. Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society recognizing academic excellence.

The installation of the Meredith College chapter comes after a thorough petitioning process, site visit and approval from the Society’s board of directors. To be eligible, an institution must be a regionally accredited four-year college or university with an established reputation of excellence and an expressed commitment to upholding the values of the Society.

“Congratulations to the dedicated individuals supporting the Meredith College chapter. Your commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and service exemplifies our values. Furthermore, your commitment to student success provides the environment for your students to thrive.  May your chapter support your institution’s continued pursuit of knowledge and a brighter future for all,” said Society Executive and CEO Director Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer.

Officers elected by the chartering group to serve the newly installed chapter include President Dr. Betty-Shannon Prevatt, President-elect Laura Davidson, Secretary Dr. Jean Jackson, Treasurer Dr. Whitney Manzo, and Awards Officer Dr. Rebecca Duncan.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded when Marcus L. Urann had a desire to create a different kind of honor society—one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 325 select campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines and inducts approximately 25,000 new members each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students, along with faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization’s more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards $1.3 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact
Alyssa Papa
Director of Communications
apapa@phikappaphi.org
(225) 923-7777

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will install its 358th chapter at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida, on Oct. 17. Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society recognizing academic excellence.

The installation of the Ave Maria University chapter comes after a thorough petitioning process, site visit and approval from the Society’s board of directors. To be eligible, an institution must be a regionally accredited four-year college or university with an established reputation of excellence and an expressed commitment to upholding the values of the Society.

“Congratulations to the dedicated individuals supporting the Ave Maria University chapter. Your mission-oriented community and commitment to academic excellence and leadership exemplifies our values. May your chapter symbolize the pursuit of knowledge, a dedication to serving others, a life well lived, and a brighter future for all,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer.

Officers elected by the chartering group to serve the newly installed chapter include President Agnes Berki, Presidents-elect Ladislav Sallai and Stephen Wirick, Secretaries Megan Hare and Marie Ferman, Treasurer TJ Ijima, and Public Relations Officer John Spadaccini.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded when Marcus L. Urann had a desire to create a different kind of honor society—one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 325 select campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines and inducts approximately 25,000 new members each year. Membership is by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students, along with faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” Since its founding, more than 1.5 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization’s more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist John Grisham and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards $1.3 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact
Alyssa Papa
Director of Communications
apapa@phikappaphi.org
(225) 923-7777

A class action lawsuit claims that Plaintiffs paid more for JUUL products than they otherwise would have paid if they had been given accurate information about JUUL products’ addictiveness and safety, and that JUUL products were unlawfully marketed to minors.

Following the $255 million settlement with JUUL Labs, Inc. and related individuals and entities, a $45 million settlement with the remaining defendant, Altria, has been reached to resolve the class action litigation.

The group of people who Altria has agreed to pay is called the Settlement Class and it includes everyone who purchased JUUL products from brick and mortar or online retail stores or from JUUL directly before December 7, 2022. Those who are in this group and want to get paid must file a claim.

Class Members who previously submitted a claim in the earlier settlement with JUUL Labs do NOT need to submit a new claim for the Altria settlement to receive payment. Class Members will receive a single payment that includes their share from both settlements.

Millions of Emails and Mailed Notices have been sent and continue to be sent to identified Class Members with information about the Settlement. Recipients can click a link in the email or scan a QR code in the Mailed Notice or simply return the postage pre-paid, return postcard to file a claim. Those who do not receive an email or postcard about the Settlement can file a claim by visiting the website at www.JUULclassaction.com or obtain a paper claim form by contacting the Settlement Administrator at 1-855-604-1734.

Payments will be based on how much each claimant spent on JUUL products compared to other Settlement Class members. How much each claimant will receive is unknown at this time because it depends on how many claims are submitted. More information about how payments will be calculated is available in the Plan of Allocation at www.JUULclassaction.com.

In addition to filing a claim, class members may object to the Settlement. If they have not filed a claim, class members may request exclusion from the Settlement Class. Class members who do not exclude themselves may be bound by the Settlement, which may impact their rights. Full details about Class Member rights and options, including the deadlines to exercise them, are available at www.JUULclassaction.com. A full list of the products included in the Settlement and the ongoing litigation, as well as other important documents, are also available at www.JUULclassaction.com.

$100,000 in Scholarships Presented to Needs-Based Local Leaders

Plano, Texas, October 2, 2023 – Frito-Lay® today announced the opening of a needs-based scholarship aimed at students who demonstrate a commitment to uplifting and leading their communities. The Frito-Lay Community Builders Scholarship will award four students $25,000 each to help further their higher-education goals. Applications open Tuesday, October 3, and students are encouraged to apply early and before the submission deadline of November 20.

“At Frito-Lay, we are committed to celebrating and supporting the next generation of community leaders by providing them with resources to help build a brighter future,” said Joan Cetera, vice president of corporate affairs at PepsiCo. “As these young leaders take the reins, we see a path towards a future where communities are more resilient, where diversity and inclusion are celebrated, and where every individual has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”

The scholarship is an opportunity to honor students from all backgrounds who improve their communities and provide additional financial assistance to alleviate the burden of higher education costs. In addition to the application requirements, students will be asked to submit a response to a prompt about how they contribute to their communities and how it impacts their higher education path. Students are encouraged to illustrate their demonstrated leadership skills, extracurricular activities, work experience, and personal and professional goals.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must:

• Live in the United States (U.S.)
• Be high school seniors, graduates or current college undergraduates
• Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study in the U.S. at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year
• Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)

A diverse group of employees from Frito-Lay, including frontline workers, employee resource group leaders, and executives who each have a unique commitment to community building will make up the judging panel and review submitted applications. All applicants will be notified of their award status by January 30, 2024.

To learn more and enter, visit learnmore.scholarsapply.org/frito-lay.

About Frito-Lay North America

Frito-Lay North America is the $23 billion convenient foods division of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. Frito-Lay snacks include Lay’s® and Ruffles® potato chips, Doritos® and Tostitos® tortilla chips and branded dips, Cheetos® snacks, Stacy’s® pita chips, PopCorners® popped-corn snacks, SunChips® multigrain snacks and Fritos corn chips. The company operates 30+ manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Canada, more than 200 distribution centers and services 315,000 retail customers per week through its direct-store-delivery model. Learn more about Frito-Lay at the corporate website, www.fritolay.com, on Twitter (@fritolay), on Instagram (@fritolay) and on Facebook (Frito-Lay).

MEDIA CONTACT: frito-lay@mww.com

SPARTANBURG, S.C., September 26, 2023 — Denny’s (NASDAQ: DENN), America’s Diner, where top companies and blockbuster movies are hatched over sizzling ‘Grand Slam’ breakfasts and endless cups of coffee, is on a mission to fund the next BIG idea. Today, the iconic brand announced the launch of the Denny’s Trillion-Dollar Incubator Contest, offering innovators nationwide $25,000 in seed money to help make their dreams come true. Whether the idea is connected to music, entertainment, technology, science, or fashion, Denny’s wants to be the launchpad for the next trillion-dollar concept. The catch? The idea must originate in a Denny’s booth.

From now through November 21 at 8:59 AM ET, all entrepreneurs and creative thinkers are invited to submit their idea and a high-quality photo capturing their Denny’s visit where the concept was born at www.dennys.com/trilliondollarincubator. Following the entry period, 10 semi-finalists will be selected for a nationwide vote. The five semi-finalists with the most votes will be eligible to present their idea to a panel of judges, who will evaluate the idea based on the essential elements of creativity, innovation, originality, and the visual quality of your Denny’s booth snapshot.

While only one entry will be crowned the ‘Grand’ winner, taking home $25,000 to fund their concept, both semi-finalists and finalists in the Trillion-Dollar Incubator Contest will be rewarded with Denny’s gift cards valued at $100 and $500, respectively. The Grand Prize winner will be announced in early 2024.

“At Denny’s, we love to feed people: bodies, minds, and souls, while inspiring conversation and creativity. For the past 70 years, our booths have incubated global technology companies, award-winning films, and bestselling literary works over breakfast favorites and late-night cravings,” said Kelli Valade, Denny’s Chief Executive Officer. “With this competition, we hope to inspire the next generation of up-and-coming entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, and designers, helping them realize their own unique paths to success. We’ve seen it happen before, and we want to create opportunities for others to transform their dreams into tangible realities.”

For contest rules and regulations, please visit dennys.com/trilliondollarincubator. For more information about Denny’s, please visit dennys.com.

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About Denny’s Corp
Denny’s is a Spartanburg, S.C. based family dining restaurant celebrating its 70th anniversary year and founding purpose: We love to feed people. That purpose has led us to become a restaurant brand that guests worldwide rely on for delicious value and craveable contemporary meals across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. Every day, we welcome guests to dine whenever and however they prefer, whether it’s at our brick-and-mortar locations, via Denny’s on Demand – the first delivery platform in the family dining segment, or at The Meltdown and The Burger Den, our two virtual restaurants. Our longstanding commitment to supporting our local communities is brought to life with our Mobile Relief Diner that delivers hot meals to our neighbors during times of disaster.

Denny’s is one of the largest franchised full-service restaurant brands in the world, based on number of restaurants. As of March 29, 2023, Denny’s had 1,594 franchised, licensed and company restaurants, which includes 161 restaurants in Canada, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

To learn more about Denny’s, please visit our brand website at www.dennys.com or the brand’s social channels via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or YouTube.

Media Contact
Denny’s Media Team
864.597.8005
media@dennys.com

A visual guide that highlights the diverse types, symptoms, diagnoses, and misconceptions of ADHD

San Francisco, CA (September 26, 2023)—Chronicle Prism, an imprint of Chronicle Books, publishes today The Mini ADHD Coach: Tools and Support to Make Life Easier, a new book that empowers individuals to fully understand and then master symptoms of ADHD, in their own journey and/or in that of a loved one. Through impactful visual representations, author Alice Gendron dedicates her artistry and her considerable platform to address common hurdles of a late onset diagnosis as well as providing a framework for those not diagnosed, but who want to learn more.

“Looking back, my ADHD was obvious all my life,” says Gendron, who was diagnosed with ADHD at age 29. “I was a dreamy student, able to focus for hours on my artwork, but not able to fully pay attention to what my teacher was saying in class…once I got my diagnosis, I was able to stop asking myself, ‘what’s wrong with me?’ every day. I had an answer. And most importantly, I wasn’t alone anymore.”

The Mini ADHD Coach uses Gendron’s original artwork to present and then address how ADHD affects everyday activities, including things like:

Texting
Eating
Sitting in class
Dating
Doing Homework
Housework
Misplacing items

And more, offering advice for successfully working through the challenges ADHD introduces into each, making this book an invaluable resource. If you find that deadlines are hard to meet, that you consistently flake on plans with friends, and that others often misunderstand your behavior, the techniques in The Mini ADHD Coach could be life changing.

“Gendron has a knack for channeling her personal experience through sweet, relatable doodles that make readers feel less alone and create the space to have open conversations with the people in your life about ADHD,” says Chronicle Prism Editorial Director Cara Bedick. “That same gentle manner extends to the advice she offers in the form of sixteen hacks to try and see what works for your life.”

The Mini ADHD Coach is available now, everywhere you normally purchase books. For more ways to connect, please visit Alice Gendron on Instagram, @the_mini_adhd_coach.

ABOUT ALICE GENDRON
Alice Gendron is an artist and freelance writer. Her diagnosis of ADHD at the age of 29 changed her life and inspired her to help others. She started and runs The Mini ADHD Coach, an online and social platform and community, offering tips, advice, and a place to connect for over half a million followers, empowering those with ADHD (and those who love them) to thrive.

ABOUT CHRONICLE PRISM
Chronicle Prism was founded in 2018 to expand the range of content that Chronicle Books publishes. A Chronicle Prism book challenges perspective, nurtures understanding, and deepens the conversation and practice of our lives. Our select list of nonfiction is rooted in (but not limited to) the categories of health and wellness, self-help, creative business, science, spirituality, and social change.

Media Contact:
Michelle Triant
Associate Director of Publicity, Chronicle
Michelle_triant@chroniclebooks.com ‖ 510-504-0431

This story is sponsored by The Jed Foundation (JED) and is dedicated to promoting mental health support for teens and young adults on college campuses nationwide.

For many first-year students, the start of college can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. Life transitions are so much easier and enjoyable with the right support. The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults, helps students manage their emotional health, cope with challenges, and support the people in their lives.

JED’s Set to Go program offers easy-to-use resources and guides that meet students where they are so they can manage the transition to college with less stress and more confidence. Set to Go provides  in-depth information covering important topics such as managing homesickness, getting to know campus services, asking for help, staying safe on campus, adjusting to college life as a first-generation student or student veteran, taking care of mental health in college, and much more.

“It’s important for not only first-year students, but all college students, to understand that they are not alone during this big transition. There are all kinds of support available, including mental health services,” says Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth, JED’s Chief Medical Officer. “College is a great time to learn the skills of advocating for yourself and putting in place the things you need to feel comfortable and be successful.”

As part of a nationwide original research study conducted by JED to investigate the expectations and experiences faced by teens and young adults as they transition from high school to college, 830 participants ranging in age from 16 to 24 were asked for their perspectives on the types of support they want and the systems that have been most helpful to them^[1].

The study’s findings helped to inform and guide JED’s Set to Go programming and included the following tips.

Create a Support Network

As a first-year student, you may experience at least some awkwardness building a new social life when starting school. JED’s research finds that nearly half of current or former college students report feeling out of place or isolated while in college. There’s nothing weird or wrong about feeling unsettled or lonely in the first few weeks or months at school. It’s actually normal. The good news is that going off to college doesn’t mean losing your network, but rather it gives you the opportunity to strengthen existing connections and build a larger, more robust support system.

• Take time to build relationships with classmates, roommates, and professors. Building a community will help you feel a sense of belonging and support. CDC data shows that students who feel more connected to people at their school have better mental health. While fostering connections and building new friendships, make a mental note of people who make you feel safe, heard, and seen. Knowing who you feel comfortable talking to—and being yourself around—will ensure that you have someone to lean on when times are tough. Here are some quick tips for creating connections in college:

◦ How to Feel More Connected On Campus
◦ How to Make Friends in College
◦ Finding Your Latiné Community in College

• Utilize campus support. Most schools offer a variety of academic, social, and emotional resources and support. These offices and staff members are there for a reason: to help you make the most of college. Use them. Check out these guides to find on-campus support.

◦ The Importance of Asking for Help in College
◦ College Campus Services Explained

Prioritize Self-Care

A majority of current or former college students cite maintaining a healthy routine as a challenge. Prepare for it by dedicating time to activities that recharge your mind and body, such as regular exercise, meditation, hobbies, or spending time in nature. Check out these guides:

• Self-Care for College Students
• Staying Active on Campus
• Your Guide to Actually Getting Good Sleep in College

Reach Out

If you experience struggles during your freshman year, you are not alone: 14% of students reported suicidal ideation this year, 6% planned a suicide, and 2% attempted suicide.

• Lean on your friends, family, and faculty. It’s never too early to start conversations about mental health. Here are some tips for having the conversation:

◦ How to Tell Your Parents or Caregivers You’re Struggling
◦ How to Tell Someone, “I’m Depressed,” and Ask for Help
◦ How to Tell Someone You’re Thinking About Suicide

• Get professional support. Don’t hesitate to connect with a mental health care provider if you’re struggling. It’s a sign of strength to reach out for help when you need it, and trained professionals are there to support you. Here are ways to find that support in college:

◦ Finding Mental Health Help as a College Student
◦ Getting Health Care and Mental Health Care on College Campuses

Set to Go also provides resources for families and educators to help them assist you while also caring for themselves during this pivotal transition.

# # #

This is intended as a resource only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health-care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a mental health, suicide, or substance-use crisis, reach out 24/7 to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) by dialing or texting 988 or using chat services at suicidepreventionlifeline.org to connect to a trained crisis counselor.

For more information on The Jed Foundation or its Mental Health Resource Center, please visit jedfoundation.org.

Media Contact
Justin Barbo
Director of Public Relations
The Jed Foundation
Justin@jedfoundation.org
914-844-4611

^[1] This sample was representative of the U.S. population of 16- to 24-year-olds, with respect to race/ethnicity and geographic region. Participants were a mix of current high school students, current and former college students, and high school graduates who did not attend college.