Stress Management Part 5: Murielle RasmussenStress Management Part 5: Murielle RasmussenWhat a difference a friend makes. Now that you have become familiar with what stress is, identified your own stressors and stress cues, learned how to reduce and manage stress, and how to relax, you can be an important resource for your friends and others in your life. In this section, I will review steps for helping a stressed or distressed friend, and provide information on campus services that can assist a student in need. This could be a friend, a study partner, or you.My name is Murielle Rasmussen. I am the campus Depression and Suicide Prevention Co-Coordinator with Wellness and Health Promotion of the Tempe campus. I will be your instructor for Part 5 of the ASU:101 Stress Management course.You may come across a situation where a friend, roommate, or family member appears tobe experiencing too much stress. How do you know? Pay attention. Be mindful about your friend’s behaviors. Are they becoming overwhelmed by stress? Are they showing symptoms of stress overload?If you are concerned about a friend’s health and wellness, expressing your concerns and encouraging your friend to utilize the appropriate resources can make a difference in yourfriend’s life. These guidelines can assist you in initiating this important conversation.Before you talk, identify the issues you want to discuss. Gather the facts of the situation. Practice what you are going to say. Be aware of appropriate resources that may help yourfriend. When you initiate the talk, show that you care about your friend. Approach your friend assertively. Communicate and identify your concerns, the behaviors you have noticed, statements and attitudes that disturbed you, the reasons you decided to initiate this conversation.When you respond, stay problem-centered. Avoid defensiveness. Express your knowledge of available resources. Let your friend respond, and listen carefully, non-judgmentally, and with empathy. Arrange to follow-up with your friend.After your conversation, identify your own feelings. Examine your expectations. Are they realistic? Debrief with someone you trust. Talk about what happened and how you feel. Let go of the need to cure your friend quickly. Remember that change occurs slowly. Continue to support your friend, even if your friend seems not to appreciate your concern. Acknowledge that you have made an effort, and that your words will eventuallymake a difference.ASU 101: The ASU Experience Arizona State UniversityThe next five slides list resources available to each of the ASU campuses. I encourage you to browse through each department’s website to learn more about what programs andservices they offer. Brief descriptions with phone numbers and locations are outlined in the Notes section to the right of the screen.[End of Audio]ASU 101: The ASU Experience Page
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