By Hayley Kowalczyk
At Merrimack College, where academic, athletic pressures and the fast-paced digital world often collide, mental health and the stigma surrounding it has become more than just a talking point. It’s reality for many students that they are balancing the demands of school, social lives and external factors.
While students are navigating this new chapter of their lives, they’re not just looking for support, they demand it. This advocacy for personal needs pushes to redefine wellness and self-care on other individual terms by Merrimack College students. Mental health is as essential as any class on their schedule; they will continue to break the stigma surrounding asking for help.
Merrimack College has taken steps to meet the rising demand for resources for mental health. In the Sakowich center, the Counseling Center specializes in individual therapy and group therapy as well as wellness workshops that aim to help students cope with stress, depression and anxiety in healthy ways. However, with the concern about mental health continuing to increase, the question remains, “Is enough being done to meet the needs of the students?”
Student-athletes, such as senior nursing major Ellen Church, is a member of the women’s lacrosse team, face unique challenges trying to balance athletics with academics. “Taking 20 credits while being in season last year was a lot to handle,” Church sighed. “We were traveling frequently and I was missing a lot of classes.” She recalled going to extra office hours, meeting with a peer tutor and communicating extra with professors to stay on top of the missed content.
Beyond resources provided by the campus, there are student led organizations that have become pivotal in promoting mental health awareness across campus. Organizations such as Morgan’s Message, a nation-wide organization with the slogan Taking a Shot at Mental Health, focus on reducing the negative stigma that surrounds mental health in student-athletes, by encouraging individuals to ask for help and reminding them they are not alone.
Carie Fiedler, President of Morgan’s Message at Merrimack shares, “Our mission is to work to amplify stories, resources, and educate student-athletes on their mental health.” She emphasized how by providing a platform for advocacy, it encourages peer conversations surrounding mental health. By having monthly meetings, dedicating athletic games or providing resources and workshops mental health has become a more normalized talking point on campus.
Many students face significant pressures, but academics are often a major source of stress and challenges with mental health. The demands of balancing coursework and extracurriculars such as sports or a job can lead to burnout.
“I’ve definitely felt the burnout,” says Church. “I’ve learned to set boundaries when it comes to my school work, I stop doing homework at a reasonable time at night and make time for self care before bed.” She continued to give examples such as taking a long shower or watching tv in bed. “It’s important to remember that you can’t do everything at once.”
Hannah Scruton, clinical health professional, along with the counseling center staff encourage students to prioritize their mental health by practicing time management or wellness practices, “There is an abundance of coping mechanisms out there, and what works for one person may not work for someone else.. Self-care can really be anything that helps someone rest, reset, and restore themselves.” She began to give examples such as going for a walk, journaling, listening to music etc, anything that makes the individual feel good. The counseling center offers resources to increase students’ comfortability with advocating for themselves and their needs.
In addition to formal mental health resources on campus, students are beginning to incorporate self care and practice wellness in their own daily routines. From classes in the fitness center to other wellness spaces on campus help students take better care of their well being. Merrimack College continues to adapt to support its students by fostering a healthy environment balancing academic life, athletics and overall mental health. With mental health awareness continuing to grow, students are expecting greater results from their self care practices. By advocating for resources and promoting wellness practices, campus culture is being shaped to recognize the importance of mental well being.
