A student raising his hand to ask a question.
It is widely accepted that students are the most important stakeholders in higher education. As a report in 2024 on Usefulprofessor.com supported, Students are the group acquired who apprentices. Students are also the stakeholders who generally pay to be on campus, often live on campus and are affected by policies and laws concerning higher education. Despite the status of being the most important of the stakeholders in the campus, there are often gaps between students and decision -makers, such as university administrators and politicians. Many students may not know how to hire administrators and politicians, and many decision -makers want more productive conversations with students. To fill this gap for problems related to the mental health of the campus, a group of students of more than 50 colleges and universities, in 18 different states, were coordinated to train The coalition for Student Wellbeing (C4SW).
What is the coalition for the well-being of students?
The C4SW is an organization made up of students and members of the Advisory Council and is dedicated to filling the gap between students and decision -makers by advocacy, collaboration and education. Carson Domey is undergraduate at the University of Texas in Austin and is executive director. When asked how the C4SW arrived, Carson Domey replied: “After the transition from a close friend to suicide in 2018, I became determined to defend policies that widen access to mental health care, Education and resources … I founded the coalition for the well-being of students because I was inspired by the equality of the dedication of students and presidents of colleges to create a healthier future for students . Carson said one of his motivations is to relieve the difficulties that non -profit organizations, government agencies and decision -makers are faced while trying to hire students and young people at regional and national levels.
According to Carson Domey, the students involved in the C4SW are either part of the council on the well-being of students, made up of a smaller number of very committed students, or part of the basic coalition, composed of a plus Many students participating in activities such as round tables to share their unique perspective. Carson explained that the C4SW also has an advisor’s council made up of university administrators, leaders of the health industry, state officials and staff of non -profit organizations.
What initiatives did the coalition for the well-being of students participate?
Carson Domey reported that during the fall of 2024, C4SW students went to the White House to participate in a round discussion on the mental health of young people, emphasizing increased awareness of the resources of mental health, such as 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. Carson Domey said the C4SW is currently developing a resource toolbox to allow students to plead for 988 added to their student identification cards. He said the C4SW also hoped to create a distributable guide so that parents and students approach the subject of mental health care when students move away from the house to start the university.
What are the students of the coalition for Student Wellbeing say about the mental health of the campus?
Audrey Schlotter is a member of the C4SW council and fourth year student at Oregon State University, studying public policy. Audrey said: “The reality of university life today is radically different from the experiences of those who make decisions concerning financing and university priorities. Most of the administrators with whom I worked, both at Oregon State University and the Spokane Community College, deeply care about students, their mental health and their ability to succeed. However, many of them have not been students for decades, and the challenges we face today are often unrecognizable for them … “
Shriya Garg is also a member of the C4SW council and second -year student at the University of Georgia, studying molecular biology and chemistry. Shriya commented on the need for peer support programs: “By recognizing that the young people themselves have an unequaled understanding of what it is to deal with mental health struggles, the coalition for the well-being of Students adopted a peer support model to advocate for young people … In addition, by collaborating with leaders of mental health organizations, the coalition for Student Wellbeing has made progress to raise their voice and the student center. In doing so, the coalition and its students adopt a new approach to social change. »»
Carson Domey encouraged all stakeholders to meet on the mental health of the campus. He said: “The coalition is still looking to connect with people in the student mental health space, and we encourage people to contact us!”