Students in ActiveMinds put out 1,100 flags and decorate the spirit rock in support of students across campus who are dealing with mental health issues. Photo credit: CMHS
On-Campus services provided for students
- Counseling and Mental Health Services. CMHS is where students can go to seek one-on-one therapy, group therapy, psychiatric services, alcohol and drug services, and consultations where students and faculty can learn more about their services and how to deal with mental health.
- Rainbow Center. Located in the Student Union, the Rainbow Center provides a safe haven for students of diverse gender identities, expressions, and romantic and sexual orientations. They provide resources, services, education, and advocacy for all students who want a welcoming space.
- Student Health Services. Student Health Services provides clinical help for students. They focus on both physical and emotional health by providing sexual assault services, an advice nurse available 24/7, and help with other health issues students are having.
- Wellness and Prevention Services. Wellness and Prevention’s mission is to promote public health services to students through educational programs, workshops, and health awareness events around campus focusing on sexual health and stress management. Their events include pet therapy, suicide prevention week, free STI testing, massage therapy, and many others.
- Women’s Center. The Women’s Center provides education, advocacy, and support for gender equity on campus. Their program, Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP), is consisted of student advocates who raise awareness about sexual assault across campus and give support and educational services to victims.
Students Helping Students
Student’s have also come together and formed advocacy groups that help raise awareness about mental health issues and provide support and education for students. One advocacy group, Active Minds at UConn, helps change the stigma surrounded mental health.
“If we can help just one student then our work is worth it,” McCurry said about ActiveMinds. Photo credit: Jaime McCurry.
“We participate in a number of outreach activities and education on campus,” Jaime McCurry, the fundraising and social chair, said. The club brings guest speakers who have dealt with mental health issues and participate in suicide prevention week by placing 1,100 yellow flags out the Student Union.
“This represents the suicides that occur on college campuses annually,” McCurry said. Another outreach activity they do is going to First Year Experience classes to talk to freshman about campus resources, coping strategies, and experiencing mental health issues in college.
While Active Minds talks to all freshman, the one question they get most from students is how they can help a friend in need.
“A question I’ve gotten at a few FYE presentations I’ve done is people ask how they can help a friend who is struggling with their mental health,” McCurry said.
McCurry’s response to the student is to ask their friend the most pressing question. “We tell the students that the most important thing to do is ask the pressing question, no matter how hard it may feel, and that question is whether their friend feels suicidal,” McCurry said. They also provide them with campus resources, but also remind them that if it is an emergency to call 911.