After the recent National Suicide Prevention Week that ended on September 11th, 2021, Concord University wants students to take initiative when it comes to mental health.
On Concord’s campus, students have a wide array of resources to combat poor mental health, as well as other issues that may impact a student’s learning environment, like being unable to obtain food, hygiene products, and financial issues.
In an email entitled “Suicide Awareness Month” sent on behalf of Andrew Sulgit, the Assistant Dean to Students, Sulgit wrote:
“[Concord University] encourages [its students] to get information about available resources, be a listener for those that need someone to talk to and refer those in need to the resources that are out there and available, locally and around the clock.”
Andrew Sulgit
Getting the appropriate and necessary support is important because students facing poor mental health due to financial strains regarding food, housing, and tuition experience stress, anxiety, and even depression, which can have a negative effect on long-term achievements and lower GPA results.
Resources available on campus include food pantries, free counseling, and scholarship opportunities to help alleviate stress students may experience while attending college.
There are several food pantries located on campus. Recently the J. Frank Marsh Library has opened its own food pantry that offers students snacks during study breaks, hygiene products, like deodorants, toothpaste, mouthwash, and many other items. There is also the food pantry in the Veteran’s Office, located in the Rahall Technology Center.
Food pantries aren’t the only resources for students who may be struggling to make ends meet. The Financial Aid Office provides students with applications for grants, financial aid, housing, and scholarships opportunities to help alleviate financial strain that attending college may have on college students.
Statistics surrounding financial strain college students experience with Ohio State University’s 2015 National Student Financial Wellness Study finding that 70 percent of college students reported feeling stressed about their finances. To help alleviate these concerns, Concord University has created scholarship opportunities, most predominantly the CU Gap Fund. The CU Gap Fund helps students meet unmet financial need regarding textbooks, transportation, and other resources by providing small grants to undergraduate students at Concord who have high unmet financial need or who find themselves in a financial situation that may lead to their dropping out of college.
In light of COVID-19, there are many grant opportunities for students that find it challenging to attend college during a global pandemic, such as the American Rescue Plan Grants. Students can apply for the American Rescue Plan Grants through an online application or by contacting the Financial Aid Office located on the second floor of the Marsh Building or call 304-384-6069.
Students are also welcomed to utilize four free services offered through Brandon Whitehouse and the Collegiate Recovery Program at Concord University. Students can participate in Wellness, Recovery, and Meditation 101, SMART Recovery for People Affected by the Addictive Behavior of a Loved One, learn Naloxone Trainings, and attend support groups for Depression and Bipolar Disorder.
On Concord’s campus, there is free counseling available to CU students. Students are encouraged to reach out and seek help. The campus counseling center can be reached at 304-384- 5290 or counseling@concord.edu (M-F, 8am-4pm). Outside of those hours, there is still help. If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, you can be the difference in getting them the help they need by contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text (741741 or 838255).
by Grace Watson