Nigel Cares: Events offer refresh for mental health
By Chelsea Story, case manager for Dean of Students Office
In a recent survey conducted by The Healthy Minds Network, 80% of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ students reported that their mental health issues affected their academic performance at least one day per week. The prevalence of mental health concerns among °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾'s student population is not unique as mental health is currently a growing concern across institutions of higher education.
Moreover, suicide is a leading cause of death among college students in the United States, but the key here is that it is also preventable.
Ultimately, these statistics illuminate a need for more discussion, support, and awareness surrounding mental health and suicide prevention among college students. Any effort made to educate yourself on mental health can help you help yourself and those you love. For instance, contrary to popular belief, asking someone whom you are concerned about if they are considering suicide could save their life.
Since mental health issues and suicide can be difficult subjects to think about or approach with friends and family, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ has decided to host a Refresh event on each campus in February. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾'s Refresh events are part of an ongoing effort to destigmatize mental health issues and create a more supportive campus environment.
Specifically, Refresh is designed to uplift you, to provide you with an opportunity to learn about how you can engage others who might be struggling in a conversation about their mental health and risk for suicide, and to inform you of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾’s mental health resources that are available to you at no additional cost.
Attending Refresh and getting connected to mental health supports at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ this spring could make the difference between your success and failure — academic and otherwise — or that of a friend. Accordingly, we hope you will plan to join us at Refresh so you can start strong, stay strong, and finish strong this spring — let us help you thrive! Refresh will include several interactive booths, food and giveaways. Refresh locations and times include:
- Blue Ridge: Main lobby on Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Cumming: Main lobby on Feb. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Dahlonega: Recreation Center on Feb. 16 from noon to 2 p.m.
- Gainesville: Nesbitt lobby on Feb. 23 from noon to 2 p.m.
- Oconee: Student Resource Center, Room 522 on Feb. 21 from noon to 2 p.m.
For questions about Refresh or if you are interested in volunteering at one of the events, please contact Chelsea Story at cvstory@ung.edu.
Additionally, between now and Refresh, please familiarize yourself with the following resources at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ that are available to help you or a friend.
Other resources include the 24/7 Georgia Crisis Line at 800-715-4225 and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
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