Mental Health Events

Ella Meyer 

Staff Writer 

Mishawaka – Being a college student is stressful, and if you feel that way you are not alone. Thankfully, Bethel has good opportunities to relieve some of that stress. Some exciting events that will be happening on campus this year include a men’s health event with free beard shaves and haircuts, Sock-it-to-Depression, and several wellness groups. Some of these groups are a stress and anxiety group which will be starting on October 10^th on Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m., a mindfulness group, and possibly a Yoga with Jesus group. Additionally, Wellness Week is coming up on October 23-29^th, during which a special speaker will be at chapel to talk about relationships and gender issues. To serve as reminders to students to take care of themselves, there are plans for monitors to be put up in the AC that will display whole-person wellness quotes, scriptures, and next steps for students to take. When I asked RJ Jennings, the associate director of counseling, what positive effects she’s seen these events have on students, she said, “Last year when we did the succulent event in the spring toward finals week, we really got to see students who had never planted before get their hands in the dirt. I’ve gotten a few pictures emailed to me from students who had succulents last year and they’re still alive this year. We know that when people are caring for other people or animals or plants, they actually increase their own personal happiness and their self-esteem goes through the roof.”  

Students can attend as many of these events as they would like, and these do not affect their 8 free counseling sessions available to all students. RJ also wanted to encourage students to take advantage of these sessions, as there is currently a full team of 5 counselors ready with no waiting list. If you would like to know more about some of these wellness events, please pay attention to the BethelNow Instagram page, chapel announcements, and the screens inside SG as more information will be announced as the semester continues.