Protecting students’ mental health

The second event of the Student Success Events series called “Protecting Your Mental Health” took place on Jan. 31 in Edwards 257.

Associate Director for LiveWell, an organization on campus to promote student wellbeing in a wide range of categories, Chris Donevant-Haines was the main speaker at the event. She presented a seminar and covered an array of tools and strategies for students to use in order to look out for their own mental health as well as those around them.

As the Student Success Events go on throughout the semester, students seem to enjoy the events that are most relevant to them and their college experience. Those who attended the mental health seminar were able to go home with a bag of popcorn and a stress ball.

LiveWell is hosting its Wellness Week from Feb. 21-25 on Prince Lawn. Donevant-Haines stressed there will be lots of information and therapy dogs for students.

Donevant-Haines recommended to talk to someone struggling with depression or anxiety. QPR is available at coastal.edu/livewell/initiatives/qpr. There is a recorded version of the mental health seminar on Coastal Carolina University’s website, coastal.edu/livewell, at the bottom of the page.

As well as personal strategies, Donevant-Haines spread awareness of in-person and online resources around campus available to all students. One resource is Resident Dietician Molly Ford, who is available and free to all students for counseling and information. Ford can be contacted at ford-molly@ aramark.com.

Th e CINO Pantry, located in the Lib-Jackson Student Union room A-215, is also available for any students who are in need of food and hygiene essentials, no questions asked. Only a CINO card is needed to go in.

Donevant-Haines also talked about the Student Benevolence Fund, which is a program for qualifying students who struggle financially.