For college students, winter break is a great time to relax, spend time with friends and family, and of course try to catch up on sleep. After the stress of the semester and finals, it’s an important chance to celebrate all the work you’ve done and check in on your mental health and wellbeing.
If you’re a campus mental health advocate, winter break can also be a time of reflection and preparation. What worked in the fall and what progress did you make? What could have been better? What will you focus on during the spring semester?
If you’re looking for ideas or inspiration, check out the work of our Collegiate Mental Health Innovation Council (CMHIC), a program dedicated to highlighting the work of student leaders who have found ways to fill gaps in traditional services and supports on campus. Our inaugural Beyond Awareness: Innovation in Campus Mental Health report summarizes the research and perspectives of our 12 initial CMHIC members on the importance of peer support, technology, and disability supports in improving student mental health. Additionally, it highlights the work of the members, including a summary of their programs, how they got started, and potential issues you may run into when trying to implement something similar.
Student leaders like you are part of the growing transformation of mental health on campus. Learning from others as you plan for a new year is a great way to save time and build momentum.
To learn more about CMHIC, check out our page here.
