To help students during this stressful time of living through a pandemic and attending school virtually, counselors and clubs are offering mental wellness activities and programs. 

Jacklyn Floyd, Social Emotional Behavior Specialist for RSD, provides social/emotional support, crisis support and coping skills to students. 

“People have lost their jobs, resulting in being unable to make ends meet financially, and isolation from peers or adult supports outside of the home can cause mental health concerns,” Floyd said. “Also, not all families have optimal learning environments at home, so the ability to have time set aside to work on school is a struggle.”

Consequently, RSD has started the Mindful Mondays program. The virtual program runs at 10 a.m. on Mondays via Zoom. Students can join Mindful Monday zooms or view recordings by visiting the Counseling tab under Courses on Canvas. 

“We provide coping skills and strategies to help students navigate this stressful time, and it is also a great time to just connect with staff and students outside of an academic setting,” Floyd said.  

They’ve done sessions on square breathing, gratefulness, grounding and progressive relaxation. 

Brenda Casey, social worker, hosts Mindful Mondays and said she is thrilled to see the school prioritizing mental well-being. 

“I feel like we have resources here to help students, but in order for them to work, the students have to reach out,” Casey said. “Ideally, I wish that all students tapped into Mindful Mondays because sometimes I think we get overwhelmed, and we just don’t know where to go.”

Casey said virtual learning has made helping students difficult, as it is hard to  tell how somebody is feeling through a screen. However, she said she hopes Mindful Mondays can provide an outlet for students and help them during these uncertain times. 

Senior Pranav Nagila, secretary of Mustangs for Mental Health (M4MH), said M4MH has become a safe haven for him and other members, especially in isolation.

He said mental health is still a taboo subject at MHS. 

“It’s not enough to just explain what mental health looks like and what to do if you suffer from a mental illness,” Nagila said. “Marquette doesn’t do enough to teach people how to start that conversation. Without that crucial part, there is no point.”

M4MH has been using Zoom sessions as a way to talk about mental health, plans and projects. They have done yoga sessions, group discussions, writing prompts and meditation while in isolation. 

“It’s a way for the members to speak their mind and get whatever they need off their chest in an environment where they will not be judged,” Nagila said.