Well-being and mental health initiatives at colleges and universities, including emerging technology and application solutions, need to support the increasing numbers of students who report experiencing anxiety, depression, and related concerns. Faculty and administrators will need to navigate more frequent encounters with students seeking well-being and mental health help, since students who do not have effective intervention services or treatment available to them will likely be less successful in academic and social activities. https://library.educause.edu/-/media/files/library/2020/3/2020_horizon_report_pdf. pdf?#page=7&la=en&hash=0C5E0415C9202F58BC1E5577A709A5D673AB27D8 Wellness According to Batra et al., (2021) college students bear a disproportionate burden of mental health problems worldwide, with females having higher anxiety and depression levels than males. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have exacerbated this situation. The need to develop solid, holistic interventions that take into consideration our students’ social, emotional and psychological needs is vital to the health and wellness of our college campus. This can transpire by following the current societal trends that include mindfulness as a preventative measure to mental health crisis. Mindfulness skills are specific behaviors that can be taught and encouraged for healthy life practices aiding a person’s mental and physical well-being. Even on the best of days, a college student may can experience judgement of self or anxiety about the future due to academic or social stress or perhaps apprehension about transitioning to new environments. Teaching college students the tools to practice living in this way, focusing on what they can control and not the past or the future, could offer benefits far outreaching those of a more traditional medical path. Students can learn to thrive using holistic methods to facilitate a healthier frame of mind, even in a pandemic. Our university has implemented Wellness Days to ensure that our students understand holistic preventative care concerning their wellness needs. Wellness days are intended to give a break to our students, staff and faculty and allow them to focus on self-care. KU executes special programming and activities during these wellness days, including free food, giveaways and events such as yoga, meditation workshops, and stress relieving activities. Questions for consideration: ❚ Is KU prepared to adequately assist students who are experiencing wellbeing and mental health challenges? ❚ What, academic and operational, changes prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic should be carried forward?
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