Roughly a week before students moved back onto campus for the spring semester, Furman released an overview of their new campaign to better support students’ mental health during COVID-19. Many students shared with the administration that the Fall 2020 semester was one of the most stressful they have ever experienced, which prompted Furman’s decision to change several policies allowing for increased quality of care for students and promoting healthy stress management.
Most notably, the University calendar added three no-class days and the Furman Counseling Center set up a 24-hour crisis line. These changes come after two new counselors joined the Counseling Center after six staff members left unexpectedly in August 2020 prior to the Fall semester’s start.
Student efforts to improve mental health on campus should also not go unnoticed. Before the start of the spring semester, Furman SGA partnered with Furman’s Promoting Healthy Options through Knowledge, Understanding, and Service group (PHOKUS) to purchase student accounts on the app “Headspace.”
Headspace provides stress-reducing meditations and many other features to improve student quality of life. According to SGA President senior Griffin Mills, around 200 students have already signed up for Headspace, but Mills hopes that number will continue to increase.
Originally, SGA and PHOKUS were given a “free-trial” deal by Headspace, which ultimately lead to a mass discount that SGA and PHOKUS used to provide Headspace to all Furman students for free. The current plan is to extend the membership beyond semesters affected by COVID-19 so long as students continue signing up and utilizing the app’s services.
“Headspace offers a lot more services than just mental health – there are options for working out, mediations, and playlists to help you focus and sleep!” said SGA president Griffin Mills. “Give it a chance,” he added, after expressing his excitement about the services the app can offer to Furman students.
Mills also mentioned that he is always open to suggestions from students, and encouraged the Furman community to reach out with any questions or suggestions they may have. When it comes to thoughts regarding improving on-campus quality of life, Mills and Furman SGA suggest students with any comments, questions, or concerns contact him at [email protected] to share their ideas.
Students who are interested in joining Headspace should click this link to sign up today for free. A detailed list of the mental health resources available to students can be found on the Counseling Center website. Anyone facing an immediate mental health emergency can reach the Counseling Center crisis line by calling 864-294-3031 and pressing #3.
