Guide for Student Health and Wellness at Oberlin College
College can be a challenging time for students, and it's not uncommon for them to experience emotional distress. In such situations, the role of faculty and staff becomes crucial in creating a supportive environment that helps students thrive.
Recognizing and Addressing Emotional Distress
Recognizing signs of emotional distress in students is often reported as a significant factor in successful problem resolution. Acknowledging concerns directly to students is another method that has been found effective. By acknowledging their feelings and concerns, students feel heard and understood, which can help reduce their distress and pave the way for problem resolution.
Seeking Assistance and Consultation
When a situation is unclear, Student Support and Outreach is available for consultations. This service can provide assistance in any unclear situation and is an option when one is unsure of a situation. Consulting Student Support and Outreach can help faculty and staff gain a better understanding of the student's needs and provide appropriate support.
Key Strategies for Support
Recognize and Normalize Help-Seeking Behavior
Encouraging students to reach out early for support helps reduce stigma and prevents crises. By normalizing help-seeking behavior, students are more likely to seek help when they need it, leading to better outcomes.
Be Informed About Resources
Being informed about campus and community mental health resources is essential. Faculty and staff should guide students proactively to these resources, which may include counseling centers, crisis hotlines, wellness centers, peer support programs, and teletherapy options.
Foster Supportive Communication
Fostering supportive and empathetic communication is key. Active listening, expressing care without judgment, and validating students’ feelings can help build trust and openness, making it easier for students to seek help when needed.
Promote Stress Reduction and Self-Care
Promoting stress reduction and self-care techniques can help students manage stress and emotional challenges. Suggesting mindfulness exercises, journaling, positive thinking, creative outlets, physical activity, and sufficient sleep can make a significant difference in a student's well-being.
Encourage Social Connectedness
Facilitating students’ engagement with campus clubs, organizations, and volunteer opportunities can combat isolation and build resilience. Encouraging social connections can help students feel more supported and less overwhelmed.
Facilitate Access to Mental Health Services
Facilitating access to mental health services is important. This may involve helping students navigate waitlists, exploring off-campus therapy options, and addressing barriers like stigma, cultural disconnects, and cost concerns.
Offer or Refer to Skill-Building Workshops and Peer Wellness Coaching
Offering or referring to skill-building workshops and peer wellness coaching can provide practical coping strategies and ongoing support on campus. These resources can help students develop the skills they need to manage their emotional well-being effectively.
By combining awareness, empathetic communication, active referral to services, and encouragement of healthy coping behaviors, faculty and staff can create a supportive environment that helps students facing emotional distress thrive during college. This guide can provide assistance when one is unsure of what to do in a situation.
- In the context of college students experiencing emotional distress, recognizing the importance of health-and-wellness, specifically mental health, is essential. Faculty and staff can foster supportive communication, normalize help-seeking behavior, and promote stress reduction techniques to help students manage emotional challenges and thrive.
- When faculty and staff encounter situations that are unclear or require additional support, they can consult the Student Support and Outreach service, which can provide assistance in navigating the student's needs and guide them to appropriate resources and services.
