By Marianne Luedeman
Photos Courtesy of Gardner-Webb University and Claire Ledford (for Gardner-Webb)
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Students, faculty and staff at Gardner-Webb University are practicing self-care this September in recognition of the month’s dual distinction: National Suicide Prevention Month and National Self-Care Awareness Month.
Officially designated as National Suicide Prevention Month in 2008 and National Self-Care Awareness Month in 2017, September is a month where people of all backgrounds are encouraged to take extra time to focus on well-being and mental health.
For many college students, giving special attention to their mental health and self-care practices is critical. According to the American College Health Association, around 48% of all college students reported having moderate to severe psychological stress throughout their college experience.
Gardner-Webb Counseling Center Director Stephanie Allen said that “self-care is, in simple terms, the act of caring for yourself in deeper ways than just reflecting on your day.” She further added that self-care is doing something intentional to improve your mental health.
To both former and current students, self-care means a variety of things that all lead to the same goal: taking time to really focus on your own well-being.
Former GWU student Jalen Fearrington, who graduated in May of 2024, gave his own personal definition of self-care: Self-care is “respecting yourself enough to take care of yourself and put yourself in the forefront.”
Jen Escalera, another May 2024 graduate, added that “self-care is taking care of the mind, body and soul.”
According to Allen, practicing self-care is something that each person has to tailor to themselves. “What I would do for self-care is not going to look the same as what you would do for self-care,” she said.
For Allen, self-care is expressed through taking time to relax and reflect. She added that she likes to take time to walk her dog, and that “journaling is one of the most effective ways” for her to practice self-care.
Escalera and current student Xolanie Millner each expressed their way of practicing self-care.
“Personally, I practice self-care by going to Jesus first and opening my Bible” said Escalera. “I take naps, and I watch TV shows,” Millner added.
Gardner-Webb offers a variety of resources to help students practice self-care and improve their mental health. When asked about these resources, Allen noted the counseling center on campus, the yoga classes offered on campus, Paws Awhile (where emotional support animals are available at Tucker), and the gym among others.
When asked what resources helped him the most during his time on campus, Fearrington mentioned Gardner-Webb’s Grief Share program and said that many student and faith leaders on campus are also there for students.
“We have leaders here that are willing to talk to you. Basically, talk to the people here, talk to the campus,” he stated.
Millner mentioned the value of the private spaces offered on campus. “(Gardner-Webb) has study rooms, where I can just be by myself and focus on me,” she said.
Gardner-Webb has also begun offering Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training to faculty, staff and students to better help those in crisis.
Dean of Students Lesley Villarose notes that the program “empower(s) individuals to recognize the signs of emotional distress and suicidal ideation” and support those in need.
To access QPR training, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to log on to qprtraining.com/training and enter the organization code “GWU.” From there, an account can be created to begin the training.
Allen further emphasized the counseling center as among the most valuable self-care resources, stating that “counseling is the biggest option (to practice self-care).” She also noted that the counseling center offers small-group services in the evenings, focused on topics such as self-care among others.
The Gardner-Webb Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be made by contacting [email protected] or by calling 704-406-2729.