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Campus Health Initiatives

Roles of Key Individuals and Groups

One important potential protective factor for student mental health is a consistent relationship with another person. On a campus such as Cornell, there are a number of individuals with roles which may provide consistent contact with students.

By promoting a campus culture of health and working to demonstrate balance in your own life, you can distinguish yourself as a "go-to" resource for students. You don't need to be a yoga master or run a marathon to demonstrate a commitment to health and wellbeing. There are many ways to embody the sense of being a part of a caring community. Here are a few:

  • Make prevention education/health information available in your work areas. Lots of materials are available via our Health Promotion Department.
  • Model and share stress management techniques/practices. This can be as simple as asking a student or colleague to join you in a walk around Beebe Lake.
  • Challenge misperceptions about stress
  • Be an advocate for student health:
    –help students identify when they could benefit from support services
    –encourage students to get timely assistance
    –consult with Gannett to express concerns or to elicit support.

If you establish yourself as a resource when times are good, you'll find it easier to help when problems arise. All members of the Cornell community are a part of our student support network. We can help notice others exhibiting early warning signs of distress, engage them in conversation, and offer support and resources.

Aside from staff in Counseling and Psychological Services, community members are not expected to take on the role of therapist. However, when we notice students in distress, we each have the ability to respond in accordance with our professional role. We can also consult with other community members (see below) in order to best serve the student in need: 

Academic Advising and Student Services

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Crisis Managers

Faculty 

Parents and Guardians

Peers

Residential Staff 

 

 

 

 

Academic advising and student services offices:

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) 

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning  

College of Arts and Sciences    

College of Engineering

School of Hotel Administration     

College of Human Ecology  

School of Industrial and Labor Relations

The Graduate School        

Johnson School

Law School

Vet School

Postdoctoral Studies Program

Take Ten

Remember to take care of yourself as you care for others. Letting go of your stressors for even ten minutes a day can help you re-energize and regain perspective. Try these techniques for starters . . .