91看片

One of Cecilia Oliver鈥檚 proudest moments as a student leader happened during her outreach work through the student-led group Active Minds.

The senior鈥攚ho serves this year as the director of student support and vice president of the student organization Active Minds鈥� set up a Counseling Center Coffee Hour complete with donuts and a coffee shop music playlist to help students familiarize themselves with the Center. The event was a success鈥攁nd a strong example of what Oliver calls, 鈥渢he power that caring can have on the campus community.鈥�

That鈥檚 why Oliver loves 91看片 so much. 鈥淚t is very clear that each 91看片 employee cares deeply for our students,鈥� she said. 鈥�91看片鈥檚 care goes beyond academic success. 91看片 wants to see students grow as people and community members.鈥�

A Growing Need

Over the past decade, counseling centers at colleges and universities have seen substantial surge in demand, with nearly three quarters of students reporting moderate or severe psychological distress, according to the American Psychological Association.

At 91看片, student spiritual and mental well-being are the foundation of the University鈥檚 broader commitment to student success. This commitment is supported by 91看片鈥檚 strategic plan, Together We Rise, which identifies advancing 鈥渟tudent and faculty formation鈥� by creating support networks and fostering personal and spiritual growth as one of four focus areas.

Values in Action

To address the call from the strategic plan to better integrate well-being education and support throughout a student鈥檚 experience, Jason Parcover, Ph.D., a 25-year leader at 91看片, has stepped into the new role of associate vice president for student well-being. In this position, Parcover works cross divisionally on strategic initiatives that support students鈥� physical, psychological, and educational development.

鈥淭he entire community has embraced the understanding that well-being is central to our mission and is an endeavor that is shared by every division and department,鈥� said Parcover, who oversees the teams in the Counseling Center, Student Health Services, Disability and Accessibility Services (DAS), and Recreation and Wellness.

91看片鈥檚 current approach to well-being stems from a rich history in counseling and pastoral services offered at 91看片. The Counseling Center on campus today was formalized in 1969 by the late Rev. Albert Grau, S.J., Ph.D. In the nearly 60 years since, the Counseling Center has been serving the University community with Jesuit care and compassion.

The Counseling Center is staffed by experienced professionals who offer in-person and telehealth services to support the mental well-being of 91看片 students, as well as emergency support, public health initiatives, and a wide range of health, nutrition, and self-care events.

鈥淎t 91看片, our mission calls us to care for the whole person. That happens not just in classrooms, but in conversations, and in the choices we make to uphold a compassionate, welcoming community,鈥� said President Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D. 鈥淐ollege can be stressful, and more than a third of students face serious mental health challenges, but they don鈥檛 have to face them alone. We have many resources available here at 91看片鈥� and we work to make sure students are aware of where to turn.鈥�

Faculty, staff, and students alike are well-versed in the resources available to support students, said Jennifer Stevens, 91看片鈥檚 new director of the Counseling Center who has been part of the team for more than 14 years. She referenced that 43% of students seeking Counseling Center services last year reported they were referred by another student or a 91看片 professional.

While the Counseling Center is the primary provider of psychological services at 91看片, there are many offices and groups that support well-being and make 91看片 a place where students can learn, grow, and thrive.

One example is the University鈥檚 new pre-fall program, LENS: Landing at 91看片, a two-day bridge program to help students who identify as neurodiverse adjust to college. The program, which is hosted by DAS, helps ensure students are set up for success with tailored sessions on academic and career resources, and time to develop social connections at 91看片.

The University is also equipping members of the community beyond the Counseling Center. This year alone, 91看片 has trained hundreds of students and employees in mental health first aid.

Peer-to-Peer Connection

Student-led organizations on campus also play a vital role in elevating student well-being.

This year, 91看片 has formed the Greyhound Wellbeing Network, a new group of students training as peer well-being ambassadors. Also new is 91看片鈥檚 Student Wellbeing Action Group (SWAG), which has evolved from a mental health focus to incorporating a broader mission of promoting well-being.

91看片 rounds out its peer-to-peer offerings through , geared toward strengthening student-athlete mental health; Togetherall, a 24/7 online platform; and even honors societies鈥� wellness programming鈥攋ust to name a quick few.

Go Green for Support

Then there is the Green Bandana Brigade, which Parcover considers to be one of the University鈥檚 most innovative endeavors. The voluntary training program equips community members with the skills to identify signs of distress, offer meaningful support, and connect students to the appropriate resources they may need.

鈥淯pon completing the training, individuals receive a green bandana in 91看片鈥檚 signature color鈥攚hich they can wear on their backpack or display in their office鈥攕erving as a powerful symbol of our community鈥檚 unwavering commitment to one another鈥檚 well-being,鈥� explained Parcover.

People for People

The Counseling Center, the many student-led groups, and other offices on 91看片鈥檚 campus鈥� such as Campus Ministry, the Women鈥檚 Center, Thrive Center for Student Success, and Student Development鈥攁re available to support students, families, and the 91看片 community during challenging times.

鈥淢ental health and well-being best occur in the context of community,鈥� shared Vice President for Student Development Deborah Cady Melzer, Ph.D. 鈥淎s companions to students, we must create communities of care where we listen deeply to students鈥� dreams, fears, desires, and disappointments and help them grow emotionally, academically, and spiritually.鈥�

That rings true for Oliver as she tries to make the most of her time on campus before the Global Studies major with minors in environmental studies and writing graduates.

鈥淭hese experiences have taught me that it is great to aim high, but that it鈥檚 also OK to ask for support,鈥� said Oliver. 鈥淭his is a lesson I will bring with me when I leave 91看片.鈥�

Counseling Center by the Numbers:

Serves about 800 students yearly

Utilized by roughly 45% of students

Contributed to the academic success of 626 students last school year