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Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) has received a Public Higher Education Student Behavioral and Mental Health Grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The goal of grant funds is to address the increased need for behavioral health services resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Throughout the past year, MWCC has been able to expand its mental health support and counseling services through Christie Campus Health, providing each student with free counseling services, as well as prescriber services from a nurse practitioner. Access to these services on campus has helped to reduce waiting time for students who are seeking mental health services. Funds are also being used for the train-the-trainer framework in suicide prevention for two students, who will then be able to train their peers. Faculty members will receive behavioral and threat assessment training.
In support of the development of healthy behaviors around nutrition and physical fitness, the grant enables MWCC to offer benefits including healthy food choice discount cards when students choose healthy meals at the campus café and semester passes for students to use at Mount Fitness. In addition to the fitness passes, seven stationary bikes will be placed in various areas on campus to promote movement.
The College has also developed Wellness Wednesdays to encourage self-care, including Reiki and chair massage on campus, and a meditation and wellness room with yoga supplies, lounge chairs, light screens, and adult coloring books.
On April 26, MWCC will host Kevin Hines, a national suicide prevention speaker, and later in the year, Wes Woodson, a mental health speaker, on campus to address students, faculty, staff, and community members. Hines personal story includes his own suicide attempt in 2000 by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. After his remarkable survival, he has dedicated his life to sharing his story and teaching people the importance of wellness. This speaking event will be held April 26 from 1:00 to 3:30 pm at the Gardner Campus in the South Café. The public are welcome to attend.
If you would like to learn more about the mental health services being offered on campus, please visit bewellthemount.com or call 833-434-1217 for more information.