College students are faced with different stresses year-round. It could be dealing with school, family, work, money, relationships, you name it! When facing these pressures mental health problems and crises could arise. College of Western Idaho (CWI) Counseling and Wellness Services want students to know even through the stress, they are not alone and “It’s Okay Not to be Okay.”
Counseling and Wellness Services is hosting a two-day event where students are able to have honest conversations about mental health and get the right information when it comes to topics, such as suicide prevention. The event will give those in attendance a chance to connect with counselors and support staff on campus and learn about healthy activities that encourage stress management and healthy coping skills.
Additionally, the counselors will have fun activities to participate in and prizes to win.
Tuesday, Oct. 4
11:00 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.
Ada County Campus Pintail Building (APIN), Student Commons
Wednesday, Oct. 5
11:00 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Student Lounge
In a partnership with Southwest District Health, the Counseling and Wellness Services is also offering a dinner and movie night on Oct. 5. There will be free food and drinks; a 30-minute video clip ofof Hiding in Plain Sight, a documentary about the mental health crisis among youth in America; a guided conversation about the video; and an “Out of Darkness” walk.
Wednesday, Oct. 5
6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Student Lounge
“Idaho is ranked fifth in the nation for its high suicide rate, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-44 in our state,” said CWI Counselor and Basic Needs Coordinator, Christy Babcock. “Being a college student can be very stressful. We want students to know there is support all around them, including here on campus and throughout the community. We also want students to know how to support others who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts. This event will offer some fun activities while simultaneously addressing a very serious community concern.”
For those with questions or are in need of more information, contact Christy Babcock at christybabcock@cwi.edu or 208.562.2371.
Those in need of immediate assistance, contact the Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline by calling or texting 988 or 1.800.273.8255 or the Crisis Text Line, by texting HOME to 741741.
