Foster an environment of wellness that increases students' awareness of their perceived stress
Understanding Your Stress: The PSS-10 Assessment
Perceived stress is how overwhelmed, or unable to cope, you feel in response to life's
demands. Unlike measuring specific stressors, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
assesses how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded your life feels right now.
Healthcare students face unique pressures such as academic demands, clinical responsibilities,
and financial concerns that can impact both well-being and performance. The PSS-10
is a brief, validated 10-item questionnaire that takes less than 5 minutes to complete,
and helps you understand your current stress level.
Benefits of Taking the PSS-10
- Gain objective awareness of your stress before reaching a crisis
- Receive personalized resources matched to your stress level (low, moderate, or high)
- Track your progress over time as you use stress management strategies
- Connect to support services designed specifically for healthcare students
- Build self-monitoring skills essential for lifelong professional wellness
Your responses are confidential. Taking the PSS-10 is a proactive step toward managing stress and succeeding in your healthcare education.

Campus Assistance Program (CAP)
CAP is a confidential support service at LSUHSC that helps students, faculty, staff, and their immediate family members with personal, academic, or work-related challenges. It offers short-term counseling, problem assessment, community referrals, and a 24-hour crisis line to support overall well-being. You can call CAP at (504) 568-8888.