As you know, TCC was granted approximately 45 thousand dollars by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) to support students’ mental well-being. These funds will help us in our concerted and strategic efforts to help students persist to program completion despite barriers, including mental health challenges. The bonus is that most of us (as faculty and staff) will also benefit from the use of those funds as we roll out institution-wide educational programs and training! 

At the end of March, Student Success and the Mental Health Framework group sponsored De-Stress Fest to share relaxing activities and helpful resources. Below is some initial data from the event: 

• 76.7% of survey respondents (N=43) were able to identify at least two relaxing activities after attending the event; an additional 9.3% identified one activity
• 58% of survey respondents were able to identify two well-being resources after attending the event; 34% identified one resource
• When asked to what degree the event improved well-being, responses averaged 2.7 on a 4-point scale
• When asked how supported they felt by TCC well-being resources, responses averaged 8 on a 10-point scale
• When asked how likely they were to engage in well-being supports offered by TCC, responses averaged 7.6 on a 10-point scale
• When asked how helpful IMPACT is, 60% of respondents indicated they’d never used the resource; 10 of these students reported no knowledge of IMPACT. 30% rated the helpfulness of IMPACT as a 3.8 on a 5-point scale (on average)
• When asked if De-Stress Fest raised their awareness of well-being resources offered at TCC, respondents averaged a 4 on a 5-point scale
• During the week of the event, there were 2 new inquiries about therapy reimbursement and 1 new reimbursement submission

De-Stress Fest also seemed to raise awareness of our efforts to get Peer Support Groups rolling for next academic year. So far, we've hired two group leaders--Ashley Herring and Cody Proffitt! Peer Support Group leaders will receive training this summer via IMPACT and a scholarship next year (per the Mental Health Grant) for their service to TCC. 

Stay tuned for more exciting info from the Mental Health Framework group. We look forward to seeing you all at the Mental Health First Aid Training on May 2nd in Classrooms 111-113. Lunch will be included! Click here to register.