N.C. campus creating spaces to promote student wellness

LOCUST, N.C. — October marks Mental Health Awareness Month for many wellness organizations, aligning with World Mental Health Day and National Depression Screening Day.

At Stanly Community College, staff are using this time to spotlight resources and support services for the 10,000 students at its Albemarle campus, Crutchfield Education Center in Locust and other learning sites.

This week, the college hosted “Color Yourself Happy” and “Walk & Talk with a Counselor” events, inviting students to take a break and focus on the moment.

“We try to do things like that throughout the year, we know college can be extremely stressful,” said Kara Finch, dean of Health Sciences and Public Services. “We want to make sure we’re paying attention to mental health needs of college students.”

Finch said over the years, the community college has taken huge strides with supporting mental health needs, taking a more holistic approach all year-round.

This includes resources embedded across the school’s campuses to meet wellness needs.

“We have a food pantry, counseling services here on our campuses to provide support,” Finch said. “We also have a focus on mental health first aid and QPR (question, persuade, refer) suicide prevention for our faculty and staff. We have a lot of staff and faculty trained in mental health first aid, about 85% of our faculty and staff are trained in suicide prevention.”

Finch said the college is also integrating mental health awareness into student orientation, where staff discuss self-care and signs of depression and anxiety.

“We want our students to be successful,” Finch said. “Part of that means there’s not just a focus on their education, there’s a focus on their mental health and physical needs, all of those things.”

“We know students can’t learn on an empty stomach. Providing snacks for them when they’re on break, having the food pantry for those students who might need that support, we know it’s a stressful environment,” Finch said.

Jonathan Ho is a student in the emergency medical science program at SCC. He said midterms and constant studying can be overwhelming.

“Trying to remember everything you learn in class, there’s so much stress,” Ho said.

For Ho, the “Color Yourself Happy” activities were an opportunity to draw while releasing stress. 

“Take our mind off studying, trying to focus on mental health and doing something non-school-related while at school,” Ho said. “Makes you forget about everything else, you’re just focusing on the picture.”

“[These events] make you feel like you’re not just a student, people actually care about you and want to see you succeed,” Ho said.

The school said mental health extends to academics, particularly in the nursing program, where self-care is part of the curriculum.

“We spend a lot of time in one of the first classes they take [focusing on] self-care, the importance of self-care while they’re in school and also while they’re in the field,” Finch said.

Nursing student Maggie Thompson said the program’s new “fidget basket,” filled with stress-relief tools, helps her manage anxiety.

“Even after tests, my nerves are always up. Having something in my hands [a fidget toy] can relieve my stress. I love it, it shows that I’m cared for and they’re constantly evolving to be there for students,” Thompson said.

SCC adds a self-care statement in each course syllabus, a reminder that mental wellness is a priority.