World Mental Health Day shines a spotlight on the innovative wellness programs bringing hope to Hokies

Shannon Atkins and
Melody Warnick

9 Oct 2023

Josie, a yellow lab with an orange bandana tied around her neck, sits on the lap of a young man in a Virginia Tech hoodie. — Yellow lab Josie soothes a student in the VIA Living-Learning Community as part of her work as a Virginia Tech therapy dog, the furriest, friendliest mental health resource on campus. Photo by Christina Franusich for Virginia Tech.

World Mental Health Day, on Oct. 10, may not be the most well-known holiday on the calendar this autumn. But for Hokies, it’s worth celebrating.

“It's important that there's a world day recognizing mental health and breaking down the stigma around mental illness,” said Colleen Driscoll, assistant director of mental health initiatives with Hokie Wellness.

Why it matters

According to a spring 2023 Inside Higher Ed/College Pulse survey of 3,000 undergraduates nationwide, half of the student respondents rate their mental health as fair or poor — distress that has been blamed on everything from chronic stress to financial anxiety to the aftermath of COVID-19.

A global day to acknowledge the centrality of mental health offers a chance to highlight a host of recent Virginia Tech initiatives that aim to enhance well-being among students. For instance:

The new Residential Well-Being initiative supports students in on-campus housing with professional case managers, well-being coordinators, embedded counselors, and highly trained student leaders.
This spring, Virginia Tech became the first Certified Digitally Well University, with a slate of resources and programming designed to help students disconnect from devices and enjoy life.
Cook Counseling moved into expanded offices in the new Gilbert Place building, which includes a calming Serenity Space.
Epcot became the newest therapy dog to participate in the beloved Animal Assisted Therapy Program.
Hokie Wellness partnered with the Mental Health Coalition on its fourth year of Hokie Hiccups, an event that encourages student resilience by offering a creative space to share stories of struggles, mistakes, and ensuing growth.
Hokie Wellness continues to offer its well-received Mental Health First Aid course to all members of the campus community.
Student Affairs continued #VTBetterTogether, a campaign for community mental health.
FEELS Peer Support Circles give students the chance to talk about challenges and stressors with other students and highly trained student facilitators.

A day for celebration

For the first time, Hokie Wellness is honoring World Mental Health Day with an event that encourages students to de-stress and to talk to staff about options for support. “We’re making a space for you to come and engage in free activities to just take a break in the middle of your busy day,” said Driscoll. “I think that it shows the students that we care about mental health, and we really want to make sure that we're doing things they want to be part of.”

The World Mental Health Day celebration includes:

Information about campus resources for mental health
Appearances by the Virginia Tech therapy dogs from 1–2 p.m
Chair yoga
Rock painting
A build-your-own-stress ball activity
A station to make a glitter jar
Mindfulness activities
Coloring
An affirmation station
Student facilitators from the FEELS peer support circle
A selection of wellness-focused books that students can check out from the library
Free tea

Students are welcome to drop in at the World Mental Health Day event. “You can just stop by and check it out, or you could stay for an hour,” said Driscoll. “Do what you want to do with it.”

In other words, no stress.