The university has several mental and physical health resources in place on campus to support students throughout their education.
Middle Tennessee State University has several mental and physical health and wellbeing initiatives in place on campus to support students throughout their education. The university recently put on events to highlight the types of support it offers, including the Mental Health Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair on September 16, and Overdose Awareness Day in August. In addition to events and awareness campaigns, the university has resources in place to help students all throughout the year.
The Mental Health Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair was put on by MTSU Counseling Services, with Channing Phillips, a mental health provider within the organization, helping to lead the effort. The event worked to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention resources.
According to an article on Middle Tennessee State University’s website, Phillips was quoted as saying of the event, “The Mental Health Wellness and Suicide Prevention Fair is a great opportunity for students to learn more about mental health and suicide prevention resources available both on and off campus. The fair also helps remind students that they are not alone and that support is available to them. During the fair, students can stop by to meet therapy dogs, participate in activities, enjoy giveaways, and grab a free Chick-fil-A sandwich while learning more about the free resources available to them.”
MTSU Counseling Services offers services and resources like mindfulness tools, tele-groups and in-person groups, drop-in counseling, weekly counseling, short-term psychiatric services, and crisis services.
Phillips is also the leader of a new initiative on campus called The Green Bandana Project, which seeks to provide college students with peer support when they are facing mental health struggles. Phillips noted that some students don’t feel comfortable talking to professionals, but may be open to receiving support from their own peers.
Phillips said, “If you see a student wearing a green bandana, they are someone who has been trained to provide support and ultimately mental health resources. Faculty and staff are great, I am one of the counselors, but I think students are more willing to go to their peers at times. And so, it’s kind of, it’s a student-led, pure interaction, basically.”
Students who wish to act as peer supporters in The Green Bandana Project will have two training sessions to prepare them. One is the QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) training, and one is an orientation to the project.
Another resource on campus to help students and staff with their mental health and wellness is the Zen Den, which is a space with relaxation supports like massage chair, cushions to lie on the ground, a desk and computer access, dim lighting, and background music. Within the room, students will be able to access Headspace, an app that provides guided meditation, breathing techniques, and stress and anxiety management tools.
Christian Williams, a counselor with the MTSU Counseling Services, said, “Definitely in the beginning and the middle of the semester, I want to say that’s when it’s most popular. Kind of when that stress picks up and somebody’s like, ‘You know what? I just need quiet or I need to just relax,’ that is when it definitely picks up. It’s not so busy to the point where students can’t get in there, but there are popular times. Faculty definitely use it too. Of course, we do and then there’s been some people in the Career Development Center who’ve used it. I don’t think faculty know that they’re allowed to use it too, but I think if they did, they would be more open to using it.”
In order to access the Zen Den, students, faculty, and staff can reserve time in person, online, or over the phone.
In August, the MTSU Health Promotion Office held an event for Overdose Awareness Day. The event was to provide students with knowledge and resources to help prevent drug overdoses. Narcan kits were handed out, as well as informational pamphlets.
Upcoming events put on by the Health Promotion Office include a sexual health event from Music City PrEP, which is a clinic that provides testing for STDs and offers the PrEP pill.
For more information about Middle Tennessee State University, visit the school’s website.