Finding your fit: THRIVE Week connects students to support

During THRIVE Week, Sept. 7-11, Ohio University students had multiple opportunities to focus on their well-being, from mental health resources and student organizations to activities across campus.

For some students, that meant leaving the Charles J. Ping Recreation Center in a golf cart with a reminder to take care of their well-being. 

As part of THRIVE Week, well-being coaches from the Department of Well-Being and Recreation at the Charles J. Ping Recreation Center have been using THRIVE Mobile to connect with students and share information about free well-being coaching available to OHIO students. 

Mal Rickel, a well-being coach at Ping Center, said the mobile approach allows coaches to reach students who might not otherwise stop at a traditional campus event. 

“The golf cart for THRIVE Mobile is a great way to reach students because being mobile you have access to more people walking around campus heading to and from work and class,” Rickel said. “A lot of students here see it as a fun little activity or experience so they’re more willing to join in.” 

Through well-being coaching, students can fill out a form about what they may be struggling with and meet one-on-one with a well-being coach. Coaches work with students to identify their needs, create specific goals, and connect them with resources that can help. 

“Our main goal when talking to students through THRIVE Mobile is to let them know about our program as well-being coaches and just show them that there are many resources on campus that they have access to that they might not know about,” Rickel said. “Well-being coaches are here to guide students towards the right campus resources that can help them.” 

THRIVE Mobile is one of many examples of how THRIVE Week connected students with resources focused on their mental health and overall well-being. 

THRIVE is OHIO’s student-focused well-being initiative, which recognizes that students have different needs and different relationships with well-being. The week gives students opportunities to explore resources, connect with others and find ways to support themselves throughout the semester. 

Connecting with campus and community resources

One of those opportunities was the Mental Health Resource Fair, where students could learn about campus and community resources and talk with student organizations focused on mental health. 

Taylor Bauer, associate director of Make Respect Visible and Health Promotion, said the resource fair was designed to increase students’ awareness of the different resources available to them. 

The fair brought together student organizations that promote well-being and work to reduce mental health stigma, along with community partners that provide mental health services. 

“We hope it helps expand students' awareness of the resources out there to support well-being,” Bauer said. 

Student organizations welcome new members, hold special events

Among the student organizations at the fair was the Women’s Mental Health Club, which began at OHIO last semester. The club provides a space for women to talk about mental health, learn coping strategies, participate in crafts and build new friendships. 

Active Minds is another organization on campus that also uses activities such as arts and crafts to create opportunities for students to practice self-care and have conversations about mental health. It brings in guest speakers and does not require membership dues. 

Morgan’s Message focuses specifically on mental health in athletics. It works to promote the idea that mental health should be treated with the same importance as physical health for athletes. 

RecoverED takes another approach by focusing on eating-disorder awareness, volunteering and community service. It also raises money to support recovery centers across the country. 

While the organizations focus on different areas, they all provide another way for students to connect with support or get involved in mental health advocacy. 

Bauer said she hopes students leave events like the resource fair feeling empowered to take care of their mental health and well-being. That could mean finding a new resource, getting involved with a student organization or simply learning something they can use later. 

“The goal is also to make conversations about mental health and suicide prevention feel more normal,” Bauer said, “and to make it easier for students to ask for help when they need it.” 

Taking care your well-being can look different for everyone

For students who may be unsure where to begin, Stephanie Maccombs-Hunter, associate director of Counseling and Psychological Services and director for Outreach and Health Promotion, said there are several ways to find support on campus. 

“There really is no wrong door when it comes to seeking support,” Maccombs-Hunter said. 

Once students reach out, they can work with professionals to better understand what they are experiencing and identify resources or services that may fit their individual needs. 

“Students don't need to have everything figured out or know exactly what kind of help they need before reaching out,” Maccombs-Hunter said. 

For OHIO, THRIVE Week is about making those first steps easier and helping students recognize that taking care of their well-being can look different for everyone. 

From THRIVE Mobile rides around campus to the Mental Health Resource Fair and student organizations, THRIVE Week gave OHIO students multiple ways to focus on their well-being. Whether that means one-on-one coaching, talking with fellow students, learning about mental health in athletics or simply finding a space to connect with others, students can find the type of support that works best for them. 

Students can learn more about THRIVE and explore OHIO’s well-being resources at www.ohio.edu/thrive.