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Home > Journals > HJSR > No. 46 (2024)

 

Humboldt Journal of Social Relations

Abstract

In January 2021, the Christopher Center Library at Valparaiso University, commenced a Mental Wellness Initiative to address the growing rates of neurodiversity and mental health concerns that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative started as a simple plan to increase mental wellness resources and then blossomed into a collaborative, cross-departmental approach to offering wellness spaces and programming within the library. The initial plan for the building was a single mindfulness space where students could relax and take a break from studies, but that quickly evolved into an initiative to include four unique spaces within the library, with one wellness space on each floor. In order to be cognizant of the culture of each floor and not disrupt the students who frequently use it, keeping these environments unique was essential for the process. The ability to create these spaces on each floor was greatly enhanced by collaboration with the university counseling center. Entering the second full semester that the spaces had been available for student use, vital feedback was collected from students. Though initial purchases were selected by the library and counseling center, moving forward the initiative will be student-led based on feedback and focus groups. Throughout the entirety of the project, multi-faceted resources and spaces have been paramount and continuing to the mission. With the rise in the neurodivergent student population, these spaces provide a non-judgmental and cost free space to help alleviate the stress of academic life.

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