By Aleksandra Sidorova
SUNY Plattsburgh is supporting students by investing in wellness and mental health programming and awareness — and students say it’s working.
“Plattsburgh cares a lot about the student body, I’d say — more than most schools,” said Nicholas Powers, a first-year majoring in music arts management.
The college hired Heather Bennett as wellness and health promotion coordinator. Bennett said her position includes wellness programming, outreach to students, referrals to campus resources and health coaching. She also teaches group yoga classes Tuesdays at 5 p.m. and Fridays at noon, in Memorial Hall.
“Anything that I can do to try to help people,” Bennett said.
Bennett’s most recent endeavor was “Strong Start,” held Sept. 10. To host the event, she collaborated with access and opportunity programs, athletics, Campus Housing and Community Living, the Center for Student Involvement and the Student Health and Counseling Center.
“What we’re trying to do is we’re trying to make sure that we’re creating a sense of belonging for the students on campus,” Bennett said.
At “Strong Start,” campus clubs, offices and organizations tabled with activities, giveaways, fidget toys, coloring sheets, popcorn and cold-brew coffee. Boris, a therapy dog listed as Health and Counseling Center staff, was at the event, too.
Bennett said she found that students were open to checking out the activities.
Powers said the event was helpful for him.
The purpose of “Strong Start” was to raise student awareness about available resources for wellness and mental health.
“I think it’s very important to understand that having a strong start doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to stay strong the whole time,” Bennett said. “But having a strong start and knowing that if, by chance, you do start slipping or not feeling as healthy as you should be, there’s a lot of places out there, both on and off campus, that can help out if you need them.”
For some students, de-stressing events get repetitive. Patrick Carter, a sophomore majoring in economics, suggested spicing up the events by gathering ideas from other students.
“It’s cool to check the stuff out, but it gets kind of old pretty easily,” Carter said.
Carter’s friend, sophomore computer science major Christian Perez, said he appreciates the continued efforts.
“Anything helps,” Perez said. “It’s better than not doing anything. As long as they try, it shows that they care.”
Undeclared first-year Koky Duarte, who is on the men’s soccer team, said he has a network of supportive coaches, professors and counselors.
“As a student athlete, my mental health has a lot to do with sports and school, because it can be very overwhelming at times,” Duarte said.
Duarte makes use of campus spaces, such as the library, and office hours for support — “all those things help me mentally,” he said.
For some students, such as first-years Matthew Pennise, an expeditionary studies major, and Ryan Baker, majoring in digital media production, going outside is enough to feel better.
“I see the emails about (events), but either I’m too busy to go, or I just don’t feel like it,” Pennise said. “I don’t feel I need it as much as maybe some other people.”
Baker agreed, but said he’s not immune to Boris’ charm.
“Seeing the dog walk on campus, though, is kind of gas,” Baker said. “That makes me happy.”
Students all said they turn to their friend circles for support, but if they needed more, they could find it at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Perez said, “I feel like if I did need the help, the school would be able to help me.”
