Today: Mar 28, 2024

Resident Advisors talk mental health in Chase Hall

Jaylen Carr Sports Editor

Chase Hall resident advisers provided different ways for students to cope with depression and anxiety. These included seeking help and doing activities which helped students handle their mental health at a recent event.  

 “People need to know that they have someone to talk to and they have resources out there,” freshman psychology major and Chase Hall resident Tamara Carlino, a freshman said. 

Chase Hall residential advisers Selena Bautista, Aaralyn Torreira and Nicole Sanchez held an open forum event on Sept. 21, 2022, inside the lobby of Chase Hall to provide resources and coping mechanisms for students.  

“I feel like it’s a hush topic, everyone goes through it whether it’s more severe than others.” said Bautista. 

According to Torreira, a lot of people in her generation struggle with depression and anxiety, which lead the residential advisors to hold this type of event for the residents.  

Bautista said one of the major reasons they wanted to have this type of event was because it’s Suicide Prevention Month. 

“I’m in the Army National Guard and I’ve lost a lot of friends to suicide. You just can’t tell, because you have to put up a front when you are in uniform or as an R.A. (Residential Advisor)” said Bautista. 

According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, “Up to 44% of college students reported having symptoms of depression and anxiety” and 75% of students that struggle with depression and anxiety are unwilling to seek help. 

According to Torreira, there are great mental health resources on campus such as the Counseling Services located in Engelman Hall B219 and the Wellbeing Center located in Schwartz Hall, Room 100.  

The residential advisers taught about the signs and symptoms of anxiety (irritability, a sense of dread and the feeling of worry) which provided the students with information on indicators to look out for.  

Bautista said that staying active, journaling and finding a support group can help coping with anxiety and depression.  

According to Sanchez, Emotional Support Animals (ESA) can be therapeutic to someone that is suffering from anxiety and depression. 

 “I feel like a lot of people secretly struggle with it. Now that times have changed, it’s important to let people know just how important mental health is for everyone.” said Torreira. 

Carlino said talking about mental health should not be taboo or controversial. 

 “You can feel yourself changed; you can feel yourself relaxed a little bit more and you can feel relief that you have someone to talk to,” Carlino said. 

The resident advisers of Chase Hall always try to have events for the students to help provide support in life and education.  

Bautista said Chase Hall has been a safe place for students and a place free from judgement. The people of Chase Hall are friendly, and they advocate for each other  

According to Owl Connect, Chase Hall is a gender inclusive housing community and a living learning community for future health professionals.  

Carlino said Chase Hall is a “good community even if you don’t know people. It’s a place where you can hang out, especially in the basement.” 

“We try to have weekly events for the residents to try to keep them in touch about resources and really get the residents into bonding time.” Torreira said. 

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