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Elizabeth Sirett 杏吧原版�22 is a firm believer in the importance of taking care of one杏吧原版檚 mental health. Sirett, who has suffered from anxiety, says 杏吧原版淚 would not be where I am today without counseling and psychological services.杏吧原版�

Sirett recently spoke at an event held at the University of New Haven during which announced the launch of a new program that will dedicate up to $2.7 million in funding to colleges and universities across the state to help them respond to the ongoing student mental health challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Likening mental health to the weather, Sirett spoke to attendees about the importance of checking in with one杏吧原版檚 杏吧原版減ersonal weather report.杏吧原版� She says that mental health is 杏吧原版渏ust as important杏吧原版� as physical health, and that the pandemic has only added to students杏吧原版� mental health challenges.

杏吧原版淚 believe our experiences and environment are directly related to our mental health,杏吧原版� said Sirett, a mathematics major. 杏吧原版淭ake a physical scenario in which a turtle were to be placed in a desert. I think we can agree it would have a difficult time adapting based on what it knows, which may lead to stress. Students entering the new and unfamiliar climate of a college campus can have a similar experience.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版楨very ounce of support possible to students in need杏吧原版�

The Connecticut Campus Mental Health Program (CCAMHP) will provide awards to higher education institutions to support innovative and evidence-based strategies that expand access to care, increase education and awareness of mental health programs and services, and enhance the knowledge of students and staff to enable them to better support students. It is particularly focused on serving underserved and minority students.

杏吧原版淚n particular, Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), and other underrepresented students are experiencing increasing mental health issues because of the unique barriers and challenges they face,杏吧原版� said Ophelie Rowe-Allen, Ed.D., dean of students at the University. 杏吧原版淭his initiative will help universities be more progressive in their approach to integrating mental health well-being into the classroom, curriculum, and other academic and co-curricular settings.

杏吧原版淭he University of New Haven welcomes this opportunity to explore creating new well-being initiatives,杏吧原版� she continued. 杏吧原版淭his will help students develop the resilience and coping skills they need to manage the challenges they will encounter now and in the future, and to succeed both personally and academically."

Expected to benefit more than 130,000 undergraduate students at more than two dozen colleges and universities in Connecticut, the program杏吧原版檚 funding will be administered by the .

In Fall 2020, more than a third of college students reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many institutions of higher education in Connecticut report that counseling centers have seen a significant increase in demand from students.

杏吧原版淭he COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating toll on the mental health of college and university students that, left unchecked, could have significant long-term ramifications on their overall well-being,杏吧原版� said Gov. Lamont. 杏吧原版淭his funding is an important step forward in ensuring our institutions of higher learning are equipped to provide every ounce of support possible to students in need after a distressful school year.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版楾he potential for counseling to better the lives of many more students杏吧原版�

The event, which included local and state leaders, University staff, and representatives from the , included a discussion on the prevalence of mental health challenges and the importance of addressing them 杏吧原版� particularly among college students. Nearly three out of four college and university presidents have identified student mental health as a pressing issue for the current academic year.

杏吧原版淲e recognize that the ongoing impact of COVID-19, unrest and division across our nation, and social media have created challenges and obstacles that, frankly, older generations did not experience as college students,杏吧原版� said Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., athletics director for the University. 杏吧原版淥ur continuing charge is ensuring that, as educators, we continue to raise awareness and understanding to the importance of protecting our mental health and the resources that are available to enable all of our students to thrive in and out of the classroom.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版淭here are so many social and academic pressures on students,杏吧原版� added , a Connecticut State Representative, an adjunct professor at the University, and the mother of a college student. 杏吧原版淲e see complications in their education for mental health reasons.杏吧原版�

Sirett, the math major, believes it is critical to prioritize mental health, and that the University杏吧原版檚 Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is an 杏吧原版渋nvaluable resource杏吧原版� that has helped her and countless other students.

杏吧原版淲e are self-doubtful, insecure, prideful, creative, beautiful people who are still learning,杏吧原版� she said. 杏吧原版淓ducation in college can go far beyond the classroom setting and can involve serious self-growth. I see the potential for counseling to better the lives of many more students. Imagine how impactful it would be to meet more students杏吧原版� needs and give them the rich soil, sunlight, and water that anything so organically beautiful will need to grow and expand.杏吧原版�