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WPI Cuts Ribbon for Center for Well-Being; Officially Launches Health & Wellness Collaborative

amracicot — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Worcester, MA鈥擩anuary 26, 2023鈥擜t a ceremony held today, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) officials cut the ribbon to launch the Center for Well-Being, a groundbreaking model of wellness programming and support for the campus community. To help foster a more holistic approach to student health and well-being, the university has also co-located the new Center with its Student Health Services (SHS) and offices for the Student Development and Counseling Center (SDCC). The convergence of these three entities, plus WPI鈥檚 Office of Accessibility Services, comprises WPI鈥檚 pioneering Health & Wellness Collaborative.

鈥淭he connection between mind, body, and spirit is undeniable, and the creation of the Center for Well-Being and the establishment of the Health & Wellness Collaborative demonstrates a thoughtful and holistic approach to more fully supporting the wellness of every individual in the WPI community,鈥?said Winston (Wole) Soboyejo, WPI Interim-President. 鈥淎cademic success is best achieved when a student鈥檚 needs are met such that they can thrive both in and out of the classroom. This ethos of care also extends to supporting our faculty and staff in their work. I am truly grateful for all who worked tirelessly to bring this Center 鈥?and this Collaborative 鈥?to fruition, and I believe WPI鈥檚 experience can ultimately benefit others.鈥?lt;/span>

"The connection between mind, body, and spirit is undeniable, and the creation of the Center for Well-Being and the establishment of the Health & Wellness Collaborative demonstrates a thoughtful and holistic approach to more fully supporting the wellness of every individual in the WPI community." -Winston (Wole) Soboyejo

Centralizing Care for the WPI Community
The opening of the Center for Well-Being is the culmination of years of planning to centralize a broad range of services to support students in an integrated approach that recognizes the important connections between physical health, mental health, overall well-being, and academic and professional success. Guided by input from an internal Mental Health and Well-Being Task Force composed of students, faculty, and staff and collaborations with external consultants, this new Center will allow WPI to apply evidence-based practices that promote well-being for students and the broader campus community, recognizing the importance of faculty and staff in creating, maintaining, and modeling a healthier environment for all. Importantly, all components of the Center and Collaborative are built on engagement and connection and provide not only programming and resources for individuals to support their own wellness, but advisors, guides, and peers to help along the way, as well as structural and systems level changes to better support the well-being of the community.

The visionary new Center, designed by Lamoureaux Pagano Associates/Architects and built by Shawmut Design Construction, includes a welcome desk staffed by students serving as Peer Well-Being Ambassadors, staff offices, and a wellness hub with comfortable seating where students can connect or relax to the gentle and soothing sounds of water flowing in the waterfall feature. The Center also features a programming room for hosting wellness activities (such as meditation or yoga) and a rest and recovery room equipped with a zero-gravity chair, compression boots, and red light therapy to virtually connect with nature, find balance, and ground yourself with restorative content. The Center is adjacent to new spaces for Student Health Services, which relocated from another area of the campus and additional offices for the Student Development and Counseling Center. The overall project, supported by a $10 million commitment by the university, positions these significant health and well-being services next to the campus quad in an area well-traveled by students heading to the university鈥檚 largest dining hall.

鈥淎lthough these initiatives were years in the making, the importance of this work was underscored and accelerated last academic year 鈥?a time that brought unprecedented challenges and a major focus on mental health and well-being to the WPI campus,鈥?said Charlie Morse, WPI Dean of Student Wellness. 鈥淵oung people everywhere are grappling with a mental health crisis that was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Now all colleges and universities must gain a better understanding of how mental health and well-being intersect with the rigors of higher education so that we can identify opportunities to better support our communities.鈥?amp;nbsp;

鈥淥ur belief is that this new approach will help nurture a culture of wellness that promotes healthier habits, behaviors, and decisions that permeate all areas of the community. We aim to help students, faculty, and staff at WPI, while also sharing what we鈥檝e learned with other colleges and universities so they can help their own campus communities as well.鈥?lt;/span>

Charlie Morse Appointed Dean of Student Wellness

amduffy — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 12:00:00 +0000

WPI has appointed Charlie Morse the Dean of Student Wellness, a position created to align the university鈥檚 holistic vision and its resources for health and well-being on campus. Morse was previously Associate Dean and Director of Counseling in the Student Development and Counseling Center (SDCC). He will provide leadership and support for Student Health Services, the SDCC, the Office of Accessibility Services, and the Center for Well-Being.

In his new role, Morse will ensure that the mission and goals of each independent office flow smoothly to provide students with coordinated and collaborative support. He will report to Philip Clay, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, and will work closely with student-facing departments and academic leadership across campus.

He will lead the ongoing development of campus wellness approaches, encompassing empathic and compassionate care and support for a diverse student population through prevention, education, and outreach in partnership with departments and offices including Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Education, and other student-facing offices.

He will also identify emerging trends relating to student wellness, including student health, mental health, and disability support, with a particular eye on how student wellness impacts the individual college experience, as well as the community as a whole. He will oversee service improvement initiatives including the opening of WPI鈥檚 new Center for Well-Being and new space for Health Services and Counseling.

"With data indicating that, nationally, the prevalence of student mental health issues is over 50 percent, we need to recognize that student distress is a population-based concern, and we need to develop strategies and interventions that reflect this understanding," said Morse. "Everyone at WPI has a part in making the campus community more supportive and responsive to our mutual well-being. I鈥檓 excited to be in this new role supporting WPI campus community health, with the new Center for Well-Being as a catalyst for change toward wellness for everyone. We will all benefit from living, learning, and working in a campus environment that values community wellness.鈥?lt;/p>

Morse has been with the SDCC since 1993 and became Director of Counseling in 2005, and Associate Dean in 2009. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and received his MA in Counseling Psychology from Assumption College. He has expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps students move towards their values with openness and acceptance.

鈥淲PI built wellness into our 2021-2026 strategic plan to harmonize and amplify the ongoing work in our student-support offices across campus. The establishment of the Center for Well-Being is a centerpiece of the strategic plan, and Charlie was responsible for developing the vision for the Center,鈥?said Clay. 鈥淗e was the ideal person to fill this new role鈥攏ot only because of his depth of experience in student mental health and counseling, but also because of his insightful leadership in support of the WPI community over the years. He has been instrumental in preparing WPI to recognize and respond to the dynamic mental health needs of the college-aged population. During the pandemic, in addition to managing the SDCC and counseling students directly, Charlie helped WPI build a public health infrastructure and a health team that formed the foundation of our COVID response. And last year, his guidance during an extremely challenging and sad time on our campus was steady, open, heartfelt, and forward-looking.鈥?lt;/p>

Said Morse, 鈥淢y goal is to enhance an environment in which students feel seen and supported, where they are able to build their own foundation for success鈥攏o matter how they define success鈥攁nd where they can acquire and grow the emotional, social, and intellectual tools needed throughout life.鈥?lt;/p>

Sabrina Rebecchi, LMHC, has been appointed Director of the SDCC, succeeding Morse.

Mental Health Implementation Team Enters Phase Two

In addition to his new role as Dean of Wellness, Morse will co-lead the next phase of the university鈥檚 Mental Health Implementation Team with Steve Kmiotek, Chemical Engineering Professor of Practice; and Rachel LeBlanc, Associate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. The three follow Philip Clay, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, and Lt. Col. Ronald Bashista, Director of Emergency Management, who co-led MHIT since it was created in March 2022.

MHIT has been operationalizing numerous recommendations from the Mental Health and Well-Being Task Force. The Task Force, formed in fall 2021, gathered input from students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni鈥攁s well as from external experts including the Jed Foundation and Riverside Trauma Center鈥攁nd summarized recommendations to address stressors and better support mental health and well-being for the community as the campus struggled with a number of student losses, against a backdrop of the pandemic and a national mental health crisis among young people.

According to a Fortune鈥痵urvey of 1,000 college students conducted by鈥?lt;a>The Harris Poll鈥痠n June 2022:

Three in five (60%) college students reported being diagnosed with a mental health condition by a professional, most commonly anxiety and depression. (This is significantly higher than 48% in the general population reporting similar diagnoses.)
The pandemic only exacerbated student mental health problems nationwide:
Nearly half reported that their overall mental health worsened since the pandemic.
About 56% have experienced worsening stress
53% reported heightened anxiety

45% cited increased symptoms of depression鈥?amp;nbsp;

MHIT is composed of a number of sections鈥攅ach of which includes students, faculty and staff鈥攖asked with specific initiatives aimed at infusing mental health and well-being into all aspects of campus life, making self-care a priority for all. MHIT meets weekly to report on progress and to discuss any needs or roadblocks. As progress is made, the teams will continue to evolve, much as the Coronavirus Emergency Response Team (CERT) did over the course of the pandemic, to phase sections in or out as needed. Morse, Kmiotek and LeBlanc are currently working with Clay and Bashista to determine the areas of focus and makeup of the next iteration of MHIT.

To date, WPI is investing more than $1.4 million annually on MHIT-related efforts (not including capital expenditures). While a fuller update will be forthcoming, some recent and ongoing activities include the following:

Student Life

Produced and distributed (in print and online) Gompei鈥檚 Guide to WPI, a student-developed booklet providing tips and resources for succeeding at WPI
Identified/labeled gender-inclusive restrooms in all academic buildings on campus.
Established new student identity centers: Lavender Lounge (LQBTQIAP+) and Center for Black Excellence
Added crisis support information to the back of new WPI IDs for quick reference.
Added a Student Activities Office staff member focused on late-night programming to expand offerings; enhanced programming throughout the week

Added Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education staff member focused on religion and spiritual life to expand Collegiate Religious Center programs and services.
Examining strategies to reduce stress related to housing selection process
Offering faculty and staff incentives to dine at Morgan Dining to allow for student connection
Opened new South Village Student Center, featuring additional dining options and gathering spaces
Hosted multiple activities fairs in August to support student access to clubs and organizations in a format that was less overwhelming than the prior single massive Activities Fair
Added full-time Care Team manager to Dean of Students Office staff
Hired 3 additional permanent staff members in the Housing & Residential Experience Center
Enhanced student leader training for Program Ambassadors (PA), Community Advisors (CA), and Resident Advisors (RA) to highlight how to refer students to campus resources and make mental health referrals.

First-Year Experience

Re-imagined New Student Orientation to include more social/networking opportunities, mental health training, programs focused on transitioning to college.
Hosted 10 pre-orientation Welcome Experience Days in the summer to support students/families and create early connections
Reworked course registration process for first-year students; Academic Advising registered students directly after individual meetings with student/family
Reviewed for-credit PE requirement to include wellness opportunities

Coordinating offerings for preventive behavior/health support and education, including Kognito training, Get Inclusive training
Enhancing peer-mentoring programs for new students
Reviewing foundational STEM course offerings

Academics

Reworked Academic Calendar to incorporate Wellness Days in each term
Reviewed for-credit PE requirement to include wellness opportunities
Launched Educator Exchange document launched to provide tools for faculty to use throughout the year to support students, including ideas for discussing syllabus, expectations, office hours/contact, flexibility and student-self care
Reassessing roles and use of MASH tutors, Tas, PLAs to better meet student need

Established testing center and hired proctor to better accommodate make-up tests

Programs, Training & Services

Opened Center for Well-Being (in temporary space in Unity Hall); permanent space in Morgan Wedge to open in B Term; Center is fully staffed
Launched Kognito for all students, faculty, and staff as part of a comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention education initiative
Established programming model and implementation plan for Wellness Days; first is September 23

Expanding mental health and suicide prevention programs to provide students, faculty, and staff with tools to deepen their learning: Recognizing and Responding to Student Distress (RRSD); Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR); and Student Support Network (SSN)
Trained students to work in Center for Well-Being as Peer Well-Being Ambassadors and ProjectConnect facilitators
Offering Koru Mindfulness courses for PE credit for undergraduate students and as part of wellness programming for faculty, staff, and graduate students
SDCC coordinating with appropriate campus partners to provide mental health services and trainings that address the needs of our LGBTQIAP+, BIPOC/ALANA, international, and neurodiverse communities
Piloted psychoeducational workshop session for trans students through SDCC; additional sessions to be offered throughout academic year

Staff & Faculty

Established Staff Council; members elected by staff vote.
Provided summer work hours and four-hour time-off block May through August
Finalized remote/flexible work policy

Updated employee tuition benefits:

Eligibility waiting period shortened from 3 years to 6 months
Tuition remission/reimbursement now includes PhD programs
Dependent tuition benefit extended to up to 6 years for accessibility purposes

Established clear and transparent salary increase distribution method

Reviewing benefits and compensation
Launched employee exercise programs (Walking Challenge, lunchtime yoga in A Term)

Communications

Developed/continuing Be Well Together web pages to house resource information

Launched Center for Well-Being web pages
Updated SDCC web pages for easier use
Supported Gompei鈥檚 Guide to WPI production/distribution
Enhancing WPI Mobile app for fuller use by all members of the community
Established student Slack group for greater student input on comms

As part of her co-leadership of MHIT, LeBlanc will continue to monitor and support all budgetary requests and operational and logistical needs, as she had while serving as the MHIT Strategic Initiatives Liaison.

In addition, Stephanie Pasha, Assistant Vice President of Strategic Donor Outreach, serves as Parent Liaison and meets regularly with WPI Strong, a group of parent volunteers, to help keep families apprised of the university鈥檚 resources and engaged in supporting their students.

Mental Health and Well-Being Task Force and Mental Health Implementation Team Work to Bring a Culture of Wellness to WPI

dfiorentino — Thu, 19 May 2022 12:00:00 +0000

The last academic year brought a major focus on mental health and well-being to the WPI campus as the community and the nation faced a crisis in youth mental health that was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. To work towards nurturing a culture of wellness that promotes healthier habits, behaviors, and decisions that permeate all areas of the community, in September 2021, President Leshin convened a Mental Health and Well-Being Task Force (MHWBTF), which was made up of students, faculty and staff. The Task Force鈥檚 main charge was to seek input from all members of the community in order to better understand the intersection of mental health and well-being and the rigors of higher education, and to identify new opportunities to support the community.

Led by co-chairs Jean King, Peterson Family Dean of Arts & Sciences, and Matt Barry, assistant director of the Student Development & Counseling Center (SDCC), the Task Force included more than 35 students, faculty, and staff and gathered information from a major survey, town hall listening sessions, and many other sources to identify high-level findings which were presented to the community by way of three reports focused on students, faculty and staff, and underrepresented groups on campus.

鈥淭he six-month effort of the task force was essential in destigmatizing mental health issues of all community members at a critical stressful time for WPI. The Task Force provided listening sessions, data collection and data analysis that supported the expansion and, more importantly, the steps to make the university鈥檚 mental health initiatives sustainable. The data pointed to common issues experienced by community members and identified ways we can take individual responsibility for our own self-care while building a more resilient community for all,鈥?amp;nbsp;said Jean King, Peterson Family Dean of Arts & Sciences and co-chair of the Mental Health and Well-Being Task Force.

WPI Cares: The Care Team鈥檚 Important Role in Supporting Students

dfiorentino — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

They say it takes a village, and at WPI that village is made up of people across campus who work with students every day to help them succeed in all facets of college life. Central to that is the WPI Care Team, established in 2006, which is coordinated by the Dean of Students Office and meets weekly to help troubleshoot issues individual students are facing, from needing accommodations for a sprained ankle, to seeking help with roommate challenges or interactions with faculty, to finding support for academic challenges or mental health concerns.

鈥淎s a group, we work directly with students to help them manage any challenge they may be facing,鈥?says Emily Perlow, associate dean of students, who has overseen the Care Team since 2015. 鈥淭his is a very caring, connected community, and students come to the Care Team鈥檚 attention in any number of ways: they contact the Dean of Students Office themselves or we get a heads-up from friends, parents, roommates, faculty, coaches, or staff who are concerned, and often through the I鈥檓 Concerned About a Student form, which comes directly to us. Everyone here is looking out for students, and the Care Team is a major hub of our efforts to help.鈥?lt;/p>

The Team includes representatives from nearly every student-facing office, including the Dean of Students, Academic Advising, Student Activities (including Greek Life), the Housing & Residential Experience Center, Student Aid and Financial Literacy, the Registrar, the Global Experiences Office, Graduate Studies, Undergraduate Studies, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Athletics, the International House, the SWEET (Supporting WPI through Effective and Equitable Teamwork) Center, the Office of Accessibility Services, Campus Police, and the Student Development and Counseling Center.

The Care Team serves an important role in WPI鈥檚 student support structure, and each member of the team is dedicated to ensuring that every student brought to their attention has what they need to be successful at WPI. When the Care Team is made aware of a concern, the Dean of Students reviews the initial information, triages it, and assigns the case to a member of the Care Team the same day. Because the team includes representatives of nearly every facet of campus life, members can connect the dots to help identify what鈥檚 going on with a student.

For example, if a student鈥檚 roommate submits a concern, or their parent mentions the student is under a lot of stress, their faculty member might then realize that they鈥檝e missed some assignments recently. By drawing together these separate observations, the Care Team can piece together a holistic view of the issue and identify the resources the student needs to be successful. Then, if the Team knows the student has a close relationship with their academic advisor, or coach, or RA, the Team works with these individuals to reach out to the student in a way that feels warm, comfortable, and non-judgmental, and helps to facilitate an open dialogue. When the concern is mental health鈥搑elated, the Care Team relies heavily on personal connections; those who are often deeply invested in the student鈥檚 mental health and personal success can be especially helpful by relating to the student wherever they are and encouraging them to seek help. Team members manage this work discreetly and with the student's privacy and best interests top of mind. They also document the process and whether and how the student has followed through on connecting to resources.

鈥淲hile we work to support the student with whatever resources are needed, ultimately, this is a partnership,鈥?says Perlow. 鈥淲e cannot solve a student鈥檚 issues for them鈥攖hey must act on their own behalf and use the many resources we offer. It鈥檚 rewarding to see students grow and learn to advocate for themselves and develop skills to solve the inevitable problems we all face in life. That鈥檚 an invaluable part of their education.鈥?lt;/p>

As the work of the Care Team has evolved and the volume of new cases has steadily increased, the Dean of Students Office has added members to the team and has recently hired a full-time case manager. Lauren Buffone, LICSW, joined WPI in late February and is working to review the current team infrastructure, technology, and processes to ensure they are efficient, streamlined, and serving the team鈥攁nd students鈥攚ell.

Perlow considers the increase of volume of new cases to be a good thing, as it means that the WPI community is using the system and gaining an understanding about what the team is and does. She believes the Care Team can help provide context for processes and procedures at WPI, helping provide a more cohesive and positive overall experience for students.

WPI Names Paula Fitzpatrick, PhD, Inaugural Director of New Center for Well-Being

dfiorentino — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +0000

As an integral part of the university鈥檚 efforts to support campus mental health and well-being, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has named Paula Fitzpatrick, PhD, as the inaugural director of its new Center for Well-Being, which will provide wellness programming and support for the campus community. She will join WPI on February 28, 2022.

As part of a holistic approach to wellness, spanning academic and non-academic aspects of the student experience and aspects of work/life balance, the Center for Well-Being will apply evidence-based practices to promote well-being for students and the broader WPI campus community, recognizing the importance of faculty and staff in creating, maintaining, and modeling a healthier environment for all.

鈥淚 am delighted that Paula will help make the university鈥檚 vision of wellness on campus a reality by leading the efforts to create both the physical space for the Center and new programming that aims to help students develop the tools they need for their overall well-being as they successfully navigate college life,鈥?said Charles Morse, LMHC, associate dean and director of WPI's Student Development and Counseling Center. 鈥淗er vast experience in higher education, and her particular familiarity with mindfulness practices, position her well to lead the integration of campus-wide efforts to support our entire community, including faculty and staff, as we more purposefully center on wellbeing. WPI planned the Center for Well-Being as part of our 2021-2026 Strategic Plan: Lead with Purpose, and the current national climate surrounding mental health and well-being has made it even more critical that we implement that vision now.鈥?lt;/p>

Fitzpatrick joins WPI from Assumption University where she is the dean of the D鈥橝mour College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a professor of psychology, and a certified mindfulness meditation teacher. While at Assumption, she forged campus-wide collaborations between residential life, academics, and student success, and strengthened its programming for first-year students, while providing vision and leadership for Assumption and its faculty. She has taught many courses on psychology, including Positive Psychology: Neuroscience of Well-being, Psychology of Art, and general cognitive and experimental psychology. She is certified as a Koru Mindfulness Teacher and an MSBR Mindfulness Teacher and has taught courses including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Koru Mindfulness, and Perception. She will join WPI as an affiliate faculty member in the Psychological and Cognitive Science program.

At WPI, Fitzpatrick will work closely with a team tasked by the university to implement recommendations developed by the Mental Health and Well-Being Task Force, a group convened last fall to assess student, faculty, and staff mental health needs in the wake of a number of student deaths at WPI. She will also collaborate with key campus partners in the university鈥檚 counseling, health services, marketing communications, physical education/athletics, the Housing & Residential Experience Center, and dining services offices. Fitzpatrick will work closely with academic departments to develop opportunities for student project-based learning experiences aimed at improving campus well-being.

鈥淚 look forward to working with representatives across the WPI community to make the Center for Well-Being a focal point for the support programming and wellness resources already in place, as well as a physical location that is seen as a safe space where individuals can slow down and connect mind, body, and spirit in meaningful ways that foster greater resilience and holistic well-being,鈥?said Fitzpatrick. 鈥淚 am impressed with and excited by the bold step WPI is taking in creating this Center. I think it holds great promise for weaving wellness into the educational and work experience across all of WPI.鈥?lt;/p>

The Month in Photos: January 2022

amracicot — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +0000

What do you get when you cross snowstorms and new buildings with dance showcases and ROTC accolades? Well, WPI in January, of course. Take a look at the rest of what our students, faculty, and staff were up to this month through the lenses of our talented staff photographers.

WPI Expands Student Development & Counseling Center Staff

adill — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000

As part of the university鈥檚 ongoing efforts to support the mental health and well-being of the WPI campus community, the WPI Student Development & Counseling Center (SDCC) team has added three full-time counselors to its staff. Joel Gopurathingal, Kelia Bergin, and Nafi Gogbeh have all joined the SDCC over the last several months and will be integral to supporting WPI鈥檚 holistic approach to student mental health.

鈥淲e are excited to welcome three experienced, compassionate and knowledgeable counselors to the SDCC,鈥?says Charles Morse (he/him/his), associate dean and director of the SDCC. 鈥淲e know that graduate and undergraduate student mental health needs have increased significantly for a number of factors and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The addition of these three counselors will assist us in continuing to meet the mental health needs of our students in a timely and caring manner.鈥?lt;/p>

Joel Gopurathingal, (he/him/his), joined the SDCC WPI in August. Joel recently completed his MA in Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, while also completing an internship in Adult Outpatient Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center. Joel draws on his own recent experience as a graduate student and says, 鈥淚t can be challenging to be a student having to navigate day-to-day life while maintaining a rigorous course load. My goal is to provide a safe space where WPI students can feel comfortable and feel seen and heard as they navigate the challenges they may be facing.鈥?lt;/p>

Kelia Bergin, (she/her/hers), joined the team in November. For the past five years, she worked with grieving children and families with Jeff's Place and Experience Camps. She continues to be involved with various organizations locally that support those who are grieving. 鈥淎s a counselor at WPI, I meet individually with students, facilitate support groups and trainings, and am delighted to be a part of such a dynamic and empathetic team,鈥?Kelia says. 鈥淚 count Jim Henson (creator of The Muppets and Fraggle Rock and a famously upbeat, silly person with a who never lost touch with his inner child) as one of my heroes and would be lying if I said he wasn't part of what's brought me here. I believe being able to laugh at yourself is an undervalued skill.鈥?lt;/p>

Nafi Gogbeh, (she/ her/hers), arrived in January. She has worked primarily in substance use, mental health, and trauma-informed settings and served as a Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Advocate with New Hope Inc., a nonprofit organization serving Southcentral and Southeastern Massachusetts. 鈥淚n my time as a clinician, I have learned how to foster therapeutic relationships that are lasting and built on empathy, trust, and honesty,鈥?she says. 鈥淢y primary focus on providing services has always been to serve in support of the individuals I am working with, and advocate for them as needed. I believe that in serving as a model and educating the individuals I work with, we can build life skills they will use across their lifespan.鈥?lt;/p>

鈥淭he addition of these three counselors will assist us in continuing to meet the mental health needs of our students in a timely and caring manner." - Charles Morse

Critical Conversations Panel Deliberates Student Mental Health

cbwamback — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +0000

When COVID-19 hit last year, college students across the country鈥攊ncluding those at WPI鈥攈ad already been facing a list of stressors impacting their mental health. Throw a pandemic into the mix and anxiety, stress, and depression have seemed to increase.

To help the WPI community better understand and address this important issue, Student Mental Health: Surviving Isolation, Stress, Depression, and Anxiety, the latest in the Critical Conversations series, was held virtually on April 7. This multi-disciplinary panel shared ways students can not only alleviate their own stress, but also reach out to their peers and build trust and community.

鈥淚 am grateful to be able to bring this panel to you,鈥?moderator Jean King, Peterson Family Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, said at the beginning of the program, adding that over the past 18 months, students have been struggling more than ever with these issues. 鈥淲e want to make sure that you understand student mental wellness. That鈥檚 what we鈥檙e striving for.鈥?amp;nbsp;

Panelists included Charlie Morse, associate dean/director of counseling at WPI; Angela Rodriguez, assistant professor of social science & policy studies; Dr. Kerry-Ann Williams, medical director of the Justice Resource Institute; and WPI students, M. L. Tlachac, a PhD candidate in the data science department; and Robbie Starr 鈥?1, electrical & computer engineering.

Stress has been increasing among students

Morse, who鈥檚 worked at WPI for the past 28 years, kicked off the talk by sharing national data related to students and mental health, including 鈥渟ome pretty alarming rates鈥?of depression and anxiety over the past six years. In 2013, according to trending data from the American College Health Association鈥檚 National College Health Assessment, 31.3 percent of students across the U.S. felt so depressed that it was difficult to function, a number that climbed to 45.1 percent in 2019. In 2013, 51 percent of students said they felt overwhelming anxiety, which jumped to 65.7 percent in 2019.

Morse said that the number of undergraduate students seeking mental health help at WPI has increased each year, from 628 in the 2015-16 school year to 900 in 2018-2019, which he said could be attributed not only to increasing distress among students but to a reduction in stigma around seeking help.

鈥淭here鈥檚 been a lot of loss this past year on so many levels,鈥?Morse said, adding that the Student Development and Counseling Center staff have been extremely busy supporting students remotely and expect the need to increase as students continue to process the trauma.

Rodriguez, who researches stress, said that nine times out of 10, students at WPI say their exams are their top stressor. Add the pandemic, their workload, and thinking about their futures, and 鈥渃ollege students are really, really stressed out,鈥?she said.

While there are barriers to cultivating mental wellness鈥攕uch as feeling too busy, or not having the enough money to pay for therapy outside of WPI and/or for exercise classes (which can help alleviate stress)鈥擱odriguez said one of the fundamental goals is to help students overcome these barriers and to shift the culture from all-night study sessions being the norm to understanding that getting enough sleep is important.

Williams, a psychiatrist and host of a radio talk show, Black Mental Health Matters, said that the biggest issue for students is that if people close to you point out that you鈥檙e not acting like your usual self, 鈥測ou should pay attention to that.鈥?lt;/p>

While 鈥渨e鈥檙e taught to take pride in going it alone,鈥?Williams said reaching out for help or deciding to talk to a counselor is 鈥渕ore of a mark of bravery鈥?than a sign of weakness.

WPI students share their experiences

According to Tlachac, graduate students have to balance so much more thant their studies, which could include research, work, volunteerism, caretaking, and the usual responsibilities that come with being an adult, such as paying bills. 鈥淓ach of these roles brings in unique stressors,鈥?Tlachac said, adding that students need to remember 鈥渢o do human things,鈥?such as eating, sleeping, and socializing.

Starr, a senior, said that WPI is a place that can be very difficult sometimes. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so much pressure on students to perform here,鈥?he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no one-size-fits-all definition of success. Your presence here, that in and of itself, is valuable.鈥?amp;nbsp;

Both students said the key to improving student mental health is to start talking about it and building community. 鈥淭alking is a first step in creating a healthier community and more understanding,鈥?Tlachac said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so important just to start talking and making it known that it鈥檚 OK if you鈥檙e not always OK.鈥?amp;nbsp;

Starr鈥檚 advice to students is to start using more intentional language when talking to friends and peers, asking, 鈥淗ow are you feeling?鈥?versus 鈥淗ow are you?鈥?which can lead to more open and meaningful conversations. He said students can get connected through the SDCC Student Support Network and SDCC support groups.

How WPI is tackling mental health

Rodriguez noted that there are classes related to mental health in the Psychological Science program and that WPI started a Be Well initiative on campus that offers free yoga and meditation classes and wellness talks. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 one of the ways the community has stepped up to offer wellness resources,鈥?she said.

Morse said the Counseling Center hosts training with faculty, staff, and students, but that 鈥渕ore could be done.鈥?He added that he鈥檇 love to see some student projects related to the center and to hear more direct student feedback.

What parents can do

When students say they鈥檙e feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, the first thing parents should do is be supportive and validate those emotions, according to Williams. The next step is to ask if there鈥檚 a time you can talk and work together to create some balance, 鈥渓etting your child lead.鈥?amp;nbsp;

At the end of the talk, King said that she would love to create a support group for parents to help each other, adding that anyone can reach out to her with concerns.

鈥淭his is a family,鈥?she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e here for you.鈥?amp;nbsp;

- By Melanie Thibeault

Day-by-Day: Tips and Tricks from the WPI Community

admin — Wed, 06 May 2020 12:00:00 +0000

There鈥檚 a lot to love about WPI, but one of the best aspects of our community is the fact that everyone brings something special to the table, most recently when it comes to dealing with the current pandemic. Much of what we鈥檙e focused on are long-term projects, but just as important are pieces of advice on how to take things day by day. From adapting to a new work-from-home environment to checking in with friends and family and letting them know you鈥檙e thinking of them, WPI staff members share some tips for faculty, staff, and students alike as we continue to work through this together.

Kindness to All鈥擨ncluding Yourself: Amidst all the changes we鈥檝e seen over the past few months, one thing鈥檚 for sure鈥攐ur current situation is not normal, and it鈥檚 okay to acknowledge that. 鈥淭here鈥檚 so much more going on right now than any of us can control,鈥?says Matthew Barry, assistant director for community development at the Student Development & Counseling Center. 鈥淲hen we focus on that, on how much is out of our control, we can feel disempowered, depressed, and frustrated.鈥?His advice? Focusing on what you can control, and remembering that you鈥檙e not alone. 鈥淲e鈥檙e all going through this together. There can be a great sense of unity even in our isolation when we remember this is a challenge we鈥檙e taking on as a human race, not just as our own individual selves.鈥?lt;/li>
An Apple a Day: One of the most prevalent things on our minds nowadays? Staying healthy. While director and nurse practitioner of WPI鈥檚 Health Services Regina Roberto says that can be achieved by following guidelines from public health officials and maintaining balanced schedules to keep our immune systems strong, she鈥檚 got one more thing to add: 鈥淩each out to others in need, virtually or safely otherwise. Having a purpose to help others will go far in getting us all through this challenging time.鈥?lt;/li>
Walking on Sunshine: Spring weather is finally starting to arrive, and it looks like it鈥檚 here to stay (knock on wood)! While nothing beats fresh air, it can still be easy to forget to carve out some time to spend outdoors (with the appropriate face coverings, of course). Director of physical education Lisa Moreau shares the importance of getting outside, even if it鈥檚 just for a short walk or a minute to decompress with a tip that鈥檚 applicable to students, faculty, and staff alike. 鈥淓xercise is a great way to stimulate the brain,鈥?she says. 鈥?.. if you鈥檙e feeling tired and overwhelmed, don鈥檛 reach for that energy drink, get up and move!鈥?lt;/li>
The Final(s) Countdown: April showers may bring May ... finals. Transitioning D-Term to remote learning was quite the feat, but as we move into finals week, stresses may be even higher than usual. Studying鈥檚 a given, but what else can students do to prepare? Assistant dean of student success Paul Reilly has an idea: 鈥淐ontinue taking care of yourself holistically,鈥?he says. 鈥淓at well, get appropriate sleep, and take breaks during study time so you can recharge. Also, keep reaching out to members of the WPI community if they can assist you in any way. We鈥檙e here to help.鈥?lt;/li>
Treat Yourself: We get it鈥攚e love pizza and pasta as much as the next person, but we can鈥檛 survive on that alone. 鈥淓mpower yourself during this challenging time by how you nourish yourself,鈥?says registered dietician Shavaun Cloran. She recommends a variety of healthy snacks (trail mix, yogurt with seeds, nuts, and fruit, and homemade smoothies and spreads) and whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, and oats) to keep us full and healthy. However, she also knows how important a good comfort meal is in getting us through this. Her advice? 鈥淧lan sensible portions throughout the week to satisfy that important part of you.鈥?lt;/li>
A Job Well Done: We鈥檙e all getting used to a new way of not just living, but working, which is why associate director of operations Bailey Rand says it鈥檚 important to keep work environments and habits as close to normal as possible, both to aid in our own productivity and to set a good example for students. 鈥淧rofessional attire and a consistent workspace go a long way,鈥?she says. And for students who are anxious about their future job prospects? Associate director of co-op and career services Amanda Laungani has some words (and stats) of reassurance: 鈥淐ompanies are still hiring,鈥?she says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 an 86% positive sentiment in the market for full-time offers, and a 70% positive sentiment in the market for internship offers.鈥?lt;/li>
Get Lost (in a Good Book): Reading can go a long way in offering an escape (not to mention a good story), but what do you do if you鈥檙e feeling too overwhelmed to tackle hundreds of pages? WPI鈥檚 librarians have an idea: a book of poetry. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to read it all at once. You don鈥檛 even have to finish it. You can pick it up and read a poem or two when you want a short break from everything.鈥?Looking for ways to start? They鈥檝e got you covered there too鈥攃heck out their Poem in Your Pocket Day guide for poetry and eBook recommendations.

-By Allison Racicot

Learning the Warning Signs of Student Stress

amracicot — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 12:00:00 +0000

Maybe some students have stopped coming to class, and when a professor sees them around campus, they don鈥檛 look well. Or perhaps a student submitted writings in a journal or essay that an instructor found concerning.

Later this month WPI will host a training program, 鈥淩ecognizing and Responding to Student Distress" (RRSD) to help faculty and staff learn signs of mental or emotional distress in students鈥攚hen to be concerned and how to provide immediate support and referral.

The "Recognizing and Responding to Student Distress"

program is part of the Student Support Network.

The session on Friday, March 23, will be held from noon to 1:30 pm in the Rubin Campus Center's Hagglund Room, according to Charlie Morse, director of counseling at the WPI Student Development & Counseling Center. Lunch will be provided.

The offering is part of the Student Support Network, which started in 2006 after WPI received a federal grant for a suicide prevention program where students could help their peers. The six-week program became available for faculty and staff as well, says Morse, but a need was identified for a program that would bring awareness to the same topics with a shorter time commitment.

鈥淚t鈥檚 under the umbrella of what we call gatekeeper training programs,鈥?he says. 鈥淧art of our core mission is to train the community as a whole to be more sensitized and responsive鈥?to potential signs of student distress.

RRSD is offered multiple times during the year with information on what actions faculty or staff members can take in the moment when faced with a potentially distressed student.

Not alone

The American College Health Association (ACHA) National College Health Assessment shows that in spring 2016 some 65 percent of college students in the U.S. reported that they had 鈥渇elt very sad鈥?over the previous 12 months; 58.4 percent said they had experienced 鈥渙verwhelming anxiety鈥?over the previous 12 months. Both percentages were increases from three years before, according to the ACHA.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a very practical conversation about students and mental health issues, and helps faculty and staff reflect on their roles as part of the overall network of support here at WPI.鈥?-Charlie Morse

Morse points out that stress, anxiety, and depression account for about 90 percent of mental health issues in the U.S. 鈥淲e work to create conversations around critical issues鈥?within the RRSD program, he says.

They may be issues of general student stress, or concerns specific to WPI, such as the university鈥檚 seven-week terms, he explains. Gender imbalance in school enrollment can also be a source of anxiety, and students from other countries may experience difficulty adjusting to living and studying here.

The WPI sessions include discussion and role playing on how to support a student at risk of having a breakdown, he says. They show teachers and staffers what to do if faced with this situation, and how and where to make successful referrals for help.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a very practical conversation about students and mental health issues," says Morse, "and helps faculty and staff reflect on their roles as part of the overall network of support here at WPI.鈥?lt;/p>

Space for the session is limited to 25; faculty and staff may register for the program through Tuesday, March 20 at 5:00pm.

- By Susan Shalhoub