Westchester Community College, State University of New York

The EMHC Steering Committee membership is comprised of interdisciplinary faculty and interdepartmental staff.  The charge of this committee is an extension of the ongoing efforts on campus to improve the learning environment of our students and the overall campus climate by assessing mental health needs. Mental health is health, and health is necessary for student success! As we wrap up the first academic year’s effort in this area, we will be responding to the Needs Assessment report conducted in collaboration with The Steve Fund researchers. Through this process we learned that WCC is ahead of the curve in many ways, such as with mental health programming, diversity committee work and initiatives. Yet, we anticipate learning further about areas of growth, new directions we can take and continuing the good work we’ve been doing for our community.

Do mental health and equity issues interest you?

• We are looking for student representatives to join our committee or provide input into this work. If you will be enrolled Fall 2022, please email Heidi Báez at heidi.baez@sunywcc.edu.
• If you are faculty or staff and would like to join our effort, we would welcome your participation, either by getting out the word, or joining in a more formal capacity. To express interest, you can also contact Heidi Báez at heidi.baez@sunywcc.edu. 

Your Equity in Mental Health on Campus Co-Chairs,
Heidi M. Báez and Jayson Brito

EMHC Tip: How can we support mental health holistically? One faculty tip we offer is adding the following language to your syllabus. Sharing this information with students helps to normalize help seeking practices, when the services we offer are brought to the forefront of student wellness.

Westchester Community College recognizes that student mental health and wellbeing is key to academic success. The Department of Mental Health & Counseling Services provides free and confidential mental health support to WCC students. Whether you are interested in individual therapy, group support, mental health trainings and workshops, or just want to know more about mental health, DMHCS is here for you!

Connect with us!

• Email: MentalHealthServices@sunywcc.edu
• Phone: 914-606-7431
• Instagram: @WCCMentalHealth
• On-campus: Mental Health & Counseling Services Suite (Student Center 190/next to Health Office)
• Students can Request an Appointment right on our website.

• Department of Mental Health & Counseling Services
• Support Groups
• TAO (Therapy Assistance Online) Self-help Platform
• Anonymous Stress and Depression Questionnaire
• Community Resources

I am always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. For example, I try to say “thank you for loving me”, but what comes out is “I’m sorry I am so hard to love”. My trauma bubbles and stickies in my stomach, and I am afraid it will get all over your hands. How do I talk about the rabbit hole without accidentally inviting you down it?

Since the age of 15 I have been heavily struggling with mental illness.

There are some days I feel so depressed I cannot leave my house. On these days, I test my gut. I kiss my brother’s fingerprint which is melded onto a silver pendant that Becky gave me at the last annual 4th of July party. Which, we had to stop having because grandmother’s cake never quite tastes the same when AJ isn’t there.

I am far too young to be so familiar with the pain accompanying death. When we got the news that my brother killed himself, I used extreme and unhealthy ways to cope. A big part of growing up for me after he passed was getting high in some strangers' garage. I’d drink a vodka sprite and call it tribute instead of coping. I’d try a new drug each day, and call myself a scientist, not an addict. I joked about drug addiction so often it became difficult to tell the difference between a punchline and a promise.

I was 17 when I got the news of the multiple overdoses and ultimate deaths lying within my old friend group.

There were days that I couldn't find the sun even though it was right outside my window. On those days I was so sad I couldn’t remember what it was like not to be. Almost like, when you have a bad cold and you forget how to breathe through your nose, and you're so sure you'll never breathe through your nose again. Except, when you have a cold you can call in sick to work, and people tell you to get well soon, and there is a whole soup genre dedicated to your well-being. I can't call in "sad" to work. I can't go to the grocery store and go to the "sad aisle" which would probably contain already stale cheetos and tea which your mom swears is good for you.

Now, when I have these feelings, I'll write to him instead of doing something harmful. More often than not, I find myself writing about him, rather to him. It’s easier to write ghost stories than to write to a ghost. It feels odd to say his name in the beginning, because it was always about the end.

Dear AJ, I'd write; Don’t read my letters during the day - read them at night, by a candle, in the playroom of our childhood home. Right by the television, but make sure it’s dark outside - watch the moonlight drip off tree leaves, listen to the bugs swarm the light by the chipped porch, and smell that sweet scent that only seems to be found in the summer. I want you to see the stars, see the flicker of the burning candle, and feel the beat of my heart.

Now that he is gone, I am trying to figure something out about our current mental health crises. Maybe part of it is out of my own selfishness and fears, but I refuse to sit by and not do anything. I hope through this, anyone can understand that they are not alone in this insanely difficult battle. If we hear, care, and genuinely try to understand one another, a difference will be made.

One time, at a poetry slam, a kid came up to me after I read one of my pieces and said he decided to keep living. From that day forward I thought, today is a good day to keep someone alive. So, I write until my hands feel blistered. I write until I run out of things to write about.

• In the media and our socialization, we can be tricked into thinking that self-care involves some of the following activities: getting your hair or nails done, paying for an expensively promising gym membership, going on expensive trips, having plans every weekend with friends, eating out at restaurants, etc. Unfortunately, this lifestyle becomes unsustainable, can greatly affect your pocket and inability to keep up with your finances and lifestyle, and thus, even affect your mental health.
  
  I'd like to healthily challenge us all to think of ways we can incorporate self-care without breaking the bank. This can include: having a consistent morning or night routine that will get you ready for the day or relaxation, communicating your boundaries and needs at home so you can have more time for yourself, listening to your favorite music when completing a stressful task for work or school, finding enjoyable activities to do alone or with friends that don't involve spending, being intentional about what (and who) you make time for.
  
  Are there other ways you think self-care and finances can overlap to promote greater mental health? Would love to hear your thoughts in the next newsletter!

• The best advice I ever heard: EAT WHEN YOU'RE HUNGRY.

• Affirmations from a Kindergartener:
1. You gotta say your affirmations in your mouth and your heart. You say, “I am brave of this meeting!”, “I am loved!”, “I smell good!”, and you can say five or three or ten times, until you know it.
2. You gotta walk big. You gotta mean it. Like dolly on a dinosaur. Because you got it.”
3. Never put a skunk on a bus.
4. Think about the donuts of your day! Even if you cry a little, you can think about potato chips!
5. You gotta take a deep breath and you gotta do it again.
6. Even if it’s a yucky day, you can get a hug.
7. Don’t get distracted and your feet will stay on the sidewalk and not too full of snow.

The Mental Health Task Force at Westchester Community College has been committed to the wellbeing of our entire campus community. As a team of faculty, staff, administrators and student representatives, we have engaged in honest and open conversations about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of our community. We assessed concerns about return to campus and brought our recommendations to WCC’s Pandemic Response Team. The Mental Health Task Force will continue to assess and address College policies, procedures, and general practices as they pertain to the mental health and wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff. The title of this newsletter is no coincidence your mental health really does matter. No matter what your role is on/off campus, student, faculty, staff member, there is an opportunity for you to connect with others and advocate for mental health awareness. Please stay tuned for more exciting initiatives sponsored by WCC’s Mental Health Task Force. Check out our website at www.sunywcc.edu/MHTF for more information or connect with us by e-mailing MHTF@sunywcc.edu.

Spring 2021 Update

The Mental Health Task Force has had a busy Spring 2021 semester working on various ways to promote conversations and education around mental health. An important goal the MHTF had was to launch a website and e-mail address, which both went live in March: Website: https://www.sunywcc.edu/student-services/mental-health-services/mentalhealth-task-force/ E-mail: MHTF@sunywcc.edu The website is designed to share information specific to the MHTF with the college community. The e-mail address is meant for initiatives pertaining to the MHTF. The MHTF is excited to have these new ways of promoting mental health to our fellow Vikings. As part of the college’s 75th Anniversary celebrations, the MHTF is launching 75 tips on ways to sustain and improve positive mental health practices. This is a continuation of our “Mental Health Tip of the Month” feature and will continue throughout the college’s milestone anniversary year. Also in March, we completed the JED Campus Life Skills Inventory. This inventory allowed us to see what programs we offer that discuss various life skills, such as mindfulness and stress management, and gaps we can possibly fill with programming in the upcoming academic school year. Related to programming already in place, several support groups and trainings for students were held regularly throughout the semester, such as Healthy Relationships Group, Grief Support Group, and Help a Friend Training. For faculty and staff, the Personal Counseling Department continued their successful Supporting Students in Distress Training, with a renewed focus on how to help support students in a remote environment. Finally, in May, the MHTF publicized free mental health crisis intervention training for faculty and staff sponsored by SUNY which focuses on how to help someone dealing with suicidal ideation. The training centers on three steps, QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer. The training takes less than an hour and results in a two-year certification. Here’s how faculty and staff can sign up: Go to the QPR account page: https://www.qprtraining.com/setup.php Enter “SUNY” in the “Organization Code” field. Create your free training account using your @sunywcc.edu email address. Follow the instructions to complete the training.

If you were unable to attend the presentation, we urge you to read “How to Respond to Racial Microaggressions When They Occur” written by J. Luke Wood and Frank Harris III which discusses in more detail the framework they developed, called R.A.V.E.N. The term microaggressions was first coined in the 1970’s by Chester Pierce who stated, “racial microaggressions are the subtle forms of racism that are communicated to people of color through messages that degrade and demean them.” Many cases of microaggressions occur when comments such as, “you are so articulate” or “you do not look Latinx” are directed at a person of color. What may seem to be a compliment by non-BIPOC individuals may actually be perceived as an insult to a person of color. Microaggressions are not only comments, but can be actions and/or behaviors as well such as assuming a person of color has cheated on a paper/exam because the teacher may have lower expectations of students of color. Another example of a microaggression is a store employee following a person of color while they are shopping because the assumption is they will steal items. Microaggressions can have a negative impact on a person’s mental health. In a recent article by Elizabeth Montoya (2021), she discusses the effect of microaggressions on one’s health, especially mental health. Montoya states, “Microaggressions negatively affect the individual’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Over time, these microaggressions create inner conflict and chronic stress; this only increases their risk for the onset of traumatic stress symptoms and depression.” Because of the challenges faced by people of color every day, Wood and Harris (2020) “developed the R.A.V.E.N.–a framework that is particularly useful when responding to microaggressions that occur in public (physical and online) spaces. The R.A.V.E.N. is a five-step approach that entails 1) Redirecting the conversation or interaction, 2) Asking probing questions, 3) Values clarification, 4) Emphasizing your own thoughts, and 5) offering concrete next steps... The R.A.V.E.N. is not intended to be a sequential process but rather a framework to guide thinking and actions to disrupt racial microaggressions when they occur. The framework also works best when actions and statements are unconscious in nature and not intentionally racist as the latter requires a direct and stern response.” Wood and Harris believed that individuals might benefit from having the R.A.V.E.N framework to consider what they would do when either experiencing or witnessing microaggressions. Otherwise, most are likely to do nothing. “Microaggressions are harmful, so don’t be a bystander…do something.” How to Respond to Racial Microaggressions When They Occur May 5, 2020: by J. Luke Wood & Frank Harris III https://diverseeducation.com/article/176397/# The Effects of Microaggressions on One’s Health – Morning Sign Out at UCI March 9, 2021: by Elizabeth Montoya s

Navigating the New Semester Thursday, August 26, at 4:00 p.m. Relationships Group Every Tuesday at 5:15 p.m., starting September 7 COPING: Mental Health Support Group Every Thursday at 6:00 p.m., starting September 9 Wellness Screening Wednesday, September 22, at 11:30 a.m. Wellness Screening Thursday, September 23, at 4:30 p.m. Navigating the New Semester: A Follow Up- Wed. Sept 29th at 11:30 AM Wednesday, September 29, at 11:30 a.m. Parenting Students Workshop Wednesday, September 29, at 5:30 p.m. Success from Head to Toe- Thurs. Oct 7th at 4:30 PM Thursday, October 7, at 4:30 p.m. Help a Friend Training Wednesday, October 13, at 11:30 a.m. Stress Management Toolbox- Wed. Oct 27th at 11:30 AM Wednesday, October 27, at 11:30 a.m. Help a Friend Training- Thurs. Nov 18th at 4:30 PM Thursday, November 18, at 4:30 p.m. Stress Free Finals Week- Dec. 6th - Dec. 10th

For Faculty/Staff

Employee Wellbeing Support with NY Project Hope Thursday, September 2, at 4:00 p.m. Supporting Students in Distress Training Thursday, September 16, at 4:00 p.m. Employee Wellbeing Support with NY Project Hope Thursday, September 16, at 4:00 p.m. Employee Wellbeing Support with NY Project Hope Thursday, October 7, at 4:00 p.m. Supporting Students in Distress Training Thursday, October 21, at 4:00 p.m. Employee Wellbeing Support with NY Project Hope Thursday, October 21, at 4:00 p.m. Employee Wellbeing Support with NY Project Hope Thursday, November 4, at 4:00 p.m. Employee Wellbeing Support with NY Project Hope Thursday, November 18, at 4:00 p.m. Employee Wellbeing Support with NY Project Hope Thursday, December 2, at 4:00 p.m.

• Create a routine – setting up a daily routine can help organize and manage your time.
• Prioritize sleep - good sleep habits help maintain physical and mental health. Getting plenty of sleep can reduce the effects of stress on the body and help boost the immune system.
• Eat a healthy diet - including fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Healthy food can boost your energy levels, ability to focus and memory function.
• Check in with a campus counselor - WCC provides an amazing support system for students. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
• Stay connected with others - Get involved with student clubs, sports or activities. Social connection can decrease anxiety and depression and help us regulate our emotions.
• Practice mindfulness - Activities such as meditation and deep breathing are proven to be helpful in managing stress.
• Reward yourself - Whether this is your first or last semester or somewhere in between, you made it here. You are on the right pathway to reach your goals.

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Send Us Your Tips

Are there certain things you do to help your mental health? What do you do for self-care? How do you show yourself some self-compassion? We want to hear from YOU: students, faculty, AND staff. In honor of the 75th anniversary of Westchester Community College, the Mental Health Task Force is collecting mental health tips from faculty, staff, and students. Our goal is to collect 75 mental health tips to be published in an upcoming newsletter. Please submit your tips here: : 75 Mental Health Tips Submission Form We are excited to learn more mental health tips from everyone.