World Mental Health Day
Today is World Mental Health Day, an internationally observed day for mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma, first recognized by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992.
Here at UNCSA, it's a day that we remind our community that good mental health is essential to our ability to learn, to create and to connect with one another. It also offers an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to caring for ourselves and for each other.
We recognize that the demands of a rigorous arts and academic environment can be challenging. That's why we may be the first and only conservatory to make Health and Wellness one of the pillars of our strategic plan, UNCSA Forward. I encourage you to Take 5ive to check in — with yourself, your friends and your colleagues — and to use the services and resources available to support your mental and emotional health.
Under the Take 5ive umbrella, students not only have access to on-campus counseling via Counseling Services, but to free teletherapy and crisis support through Uwill, as well as Art Pharmacy, a social prescribing program to support well-being.
Because we want students to achieve a better balance between their arts training and academic pursuits and a personal life, we've built in Intermission, which occurs 12:30-2:30 p.m. every Wednesday when you can do whatever you need, from laundry to a nap. Collaborative Days are three days each semester, as indicated on your academic calendar, when all classes and activities are suspended so you can focus on personal arts projects or collaborations with friends. (Don't miss the Oct. 16 Collaborative Day, when Take 5ive Live presents the UNCSA Fall Music Fest, featuring live music, food trucks, interactive activities and prizes, happening from noon to 4 p.m. on The Hill.)
Faculty have done a lot of work this past summer – really, the past four years – to create a sustainable workload for our entire community. Faculty and staff have already had a preview of our new Integrated Schedule that will launch next fall, and students should stay tuned for information about it after the first of the year.
I also want to note the many resources for our talented, hard-working and dedicated faculty and staff. We know many may be dealing with issues at home as well as in the workplace. You should know that the university-sponsored Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to you and members of your household to provide support, resources and information for both work and personal issues at no charge.
Administered by ComPsych, the EAP offers specialists who can connect you with confidential emotional support, legal guidance, financial information, and so much more, any time of the day or night. From researching what elder care is available locally to connecting to counselors who can help with depression or anxiety, EAP can help. It really is like a concierge service for life's challenges.
The World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, has organized a global campaign in support of World Mental Health Day every year since 2013. And since the pandemic, it seems, mental health and well-being have deservedly taken a much higher priority in everyone's lives.
According to the WHO: "World Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that there is no health without mental health."
I couldn't agree more. Mental health care is not something nice to have; it's as essential as a trip to the Wellness Center to get treatment for an injury or your Primary Care Physician for a preventive screening.
Taking care of your mental health is not only important — it is vital to your success. Let's continue to foster a culture of compassion, understanding and support for ourselves and our friends and colleagues across our campus community, today and every day.
Sincerely,
Brian Cole
Chancellor