• Wayne State University (WSU) hosts second Mental Health Day on Feb. 18
• The event includes a week of virtual activities and events from Feb. 12 – 19
• Many students took advantage of their optional day off
• Other students feel as though it should be more structured

WSU hosted its second Mental Health Day of the 2020-2021 school year on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021.  This event was coordinated with a week of mental-health programs from Friday, Feb. 12 through Friday, Feb. 19, to allow people to have the opportunity to participate regardless of schedules. The institution held its inaugural Mental Health Day on Oct. 30, 2020, last fall semester.

The tradition began after a Student Success Town Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, where more than 250 participants discussed the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic brought about. At the end of the meeting, WSU President M. Roy Wilson announced that the university would hold its first Mental Health Day.

Winter semester’s Mental Health Day was announced in an email sent to the campus community from the Office of the Provost, Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo, Ph.D., RN, FAAN.

“The ongoing pandemic and ensuing need for physical distancing, wearing face coverings and online learning have continued to take a toll on students, faculty and staff. As such, Wayne State University has designated Thursday, Feb. 18, as Mental Health Day,” said Clabo. “We hope this day will offer members of our campus community the opportunity to connect with each other, discover available resources to support their health and well-being, and take some much-needed time to prioritize their own self-care.”

WSU senior and author of The Home Body blog, Emily Erdt, says that she was able to take the day off from her role as the Social Media Assistant for the WSU Alumni Association.

“I think mental health day was a very good concept. The event itself was nice, had very good intentions and was much better planned than the first one back in the fall,” said Erdt. “My classes and assignments that day were canceled, too.”

“One thing I wish WSU did differently was better prepare their professors for the day. I know many students who still had homework, class and exams on Mental Health Day, which isn’t fair,” said Erdt. “I might even suggest that WSU have a mental health course for professors to attend that day; That way, they can be better prepared to help students.”

Khouloud Rahal, a WSU student majoring in German, says that she also enjoyed her mental health day with a day off from classes but with some reservations.

“I just dropped everything and took a walk outside, and it felt great,” said Rahal. “I’m taking four classes, and I am a parent of three teens. I just wish Wayne State would offer more than just one day. Teachers still assign homework on weekends where one is supposed to take a break and recharge.”

Kira O’steen, public relations major and Society of Information Management Detroit Intern, says that she didn’t get to enjoy the same opportunity as other students.

“I didn’t find out about Mental Health Day until after it was over,” said O’steen. “I wish it were advertised more, and they encouraged instructors and professors to participate. After all, it’s managing school and online learning that we need a mental break from.”

O’steen has found other avenues to maintain her mental health in the remote working and educational environment.

“In order to keep my sanity, I’ve had to make a strict schedule for myself that allows time for classes, schoolwork, extracurricular activities and some resemblance of a social life,” said O’steen. “The balancing of all these tasks has been tiresome in itself but allowed me to take at least one day to relax.”

“Overall, I think it is a very useful and considerate thing for the university to implement,” says Arron Campbell, WSU senior and public relations student.” College is so mentally exhausting for students, and it’s very comforting knowing that others understand and help us with that.”

View the slide below and download this PDF for more information for managing mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional information about WSU’s Mental Health activities can be accessed here.

Source: Nina Knauf