When Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) students asked for consistency and variety in programming at the Student Counseling & Wellness Center (SCWC), Mental Health and Wellness Educator, Emma Campbell, MLD, and the staff listened.
Starting last February, the SCWC launched weekly programming to provide students with options each week to connect while they develop coping and stress-management skills.
“Consistency is so crucial for students,” Campbell said. “When we look at best practices in higher education, offering one-time programming is great, but it’s not a lot of time to put those skills into practice. The consistency and diversity in programming matters so much, so we found unused space in Le Fer Hall where we could offer a lot of ongoing programs.”
The weekly schedule includes a little something for everyone. Movement seekers can practice yoga. Artistic students have several options to help unleash their creativity. There’s even a group to encourage men to talk.
It’s the “Beyond the Game” group that had clinical intern Kaitlynne Mrdja, of Clinton, Ind., most excited this semester. Mrdja, a student in Indiana State University’s clinical mental health counseling program, spent the school year running the group for student-athletes who are exiting their sport for any reason – medical retirement, graduation or unforeseen circumstances.
“An athletic identity becomes a big piece of people’s lives and requires a great investment of time, energy and resources, especially when you can compete at the collegiate level,” Mrdja said. “The idea is to provide a transitional space for individuals to explore who they are outside of being an athlete. It lets them know others are going through this phase, as well.”
Connections, decreasing isolation and shared experiences are especially important in college.
“This is a time in a student’s life when they’re exploring who they are outside of their hometown, who they are as a person,” Mrdja said. “It helps having a variety of groups – spirituality, athletes and artistic expression groups – where people can explore who they are and find a network here on campus is very important.”
Bryant Sanders, a senior music and psychology major from Marshall, Ill., frequented many of the Tuesday afternoon “Sound Sessions with Tim” events, featuring campus minister Tim Tesmer, in the Zen Den area on the second floor of the Conservatory of Music.
That’s where Sanders brings his guitar or ukulele to the “fun, well put together event” that he said has shown how much people care about the well-being of others on campus.
“I was a music therapy major when I was encouraged to start coming on Tuesdays, and this time is fun and relaxing to me,” Sanders said. “Tim and I will go back and forth playing a song. Or we’ll play a song together if we both know it. It’s a good way to make new friends, too. Sometimes people will stop and hang out with us, and we’ll even take their song suggestions.”
The SCWC programs will return in the fall. Now Campbell’s focus turns to discussions with students, faculty and staff about any gaps in the programming. Her office is also working to bring peer programming to online students.
“We’re launching a virtual format for distance students, so we’ve started sending a Zoom link to our distance faculty, staff and students,” Campbell said. “No one’s logged in yet, but we’ll keep doing it. If people see these opportunities are not going away, they’ll be more likely to start attending.”
Heading into next school year, Campbell’s No. 1 goal is to build a strong foundation for consistency and turnout in the programs.
“We’re always looking for student feedback about what programming they want to see,” she said. “Once we get students feeling comfortable in this space, I think, the sky’s the limit.”