USU Blanding putting focus on student’s mental success

From March 13-17, Utah State University Blanding hosted a mental health week focused on giving students the tools they need to ensure their mental success during a sometimes stressful college experience.  

Priscilla Arungwa, director of students at USU Blanding, helped to guide students as they planned the week’s events. She expressed how this event turned out to be a huge success, with more student participation than years prior. 

“This week we came together as a campus community to break the stigma that mental health should not be swept under the rug,” Arungwa said in an email with the Statesman. 

As well as bringing awareness to mental health, the event was also geared towards making USU Blanding a home away from home for attending students, faculty and staff.  

Mental health prevention specialists were brought on to support the mental health program on campus and increase involvement for the week’s activities with flyers, marketing and event planning. 

This year, different from all others, Blanding brought Native American Elder Don Mose Jr. to speak to the students about never giving up on their education. Blanding’s student body is 70% Native American.  

Throughout the week, students were given information on mental health resources and an article on resilience. 

Blanding included new training on communication methods for students struggling with their mental health. One such method was Kognito, a software that allows mental health prevention specialists to role-play simulations that can transfer to their students in real life. 

Arungwa spoke about getting students involved and the importance of connecting with their peers. 

“Addressing mental health using a peer support model has been a huge success because our students feel less afraid to ask for help from their peers, who they identify with best,” Arungwa said. 

The week opened Monday night with a showing of “Creed III” at a local movie theater with the intent to treat students to a de-stressing evening. The movie was followed by conversations on the importance of de-stressing and activities that can aid in the process.  

Another activity was the Memory Walk, where students were encouraged to wear honor beads to remember people they knew who had passed away.  

Other activities included mental health kits, goodie bags with resources, time management workshops and beanie decorating. 

This event comes at a time when nationwide surveys are looking at mental health across campuses. In a podcast published by APM Reports, surveys found that nearly 40% of students experience depression, and one in three have had anxiety.

As more students are in need of mental health care, USU is offering more resources to aid students in their success. Kristian Olson, associate vice president of USU Blanding, said he is grateful for what the campus is providing its students. 

“I am grateful I work for an institution which provides resources to students who are working through some difficult life challenges,” Olson said. “I know it is making a difference in the lives of our students.” 

Resources across statewide campuses are available for students struggling academically, physically or mentally. Visit usu.edu/aggiewellness/ for more information.