We hope you could join us for our Friday 5 Live this week as we discussed mental health strategies for students, faculty and staff with Dr. Jena Morrison.  We are grateful for her insights! Next week Dr. Sylvia Dorsey-Robinson will talk with us about how we can support our students of color during pandemic learning.  We hope you will join us!

This week the PBS News Hour examines the mental health challenges facing college students in the United States as a result of COVID.  According to the CDC, one in four Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 reported having seriously considered suicide in the last 30 days. “80 percent of students around the country say that COVID has negatively impacted their mental health, their spiritual health, and their career aspirations,” shares Varun Soni, the vice provost for campus wellness and crisis intervention at the University of Southern California. Mental health professionals at colleges urge students to utilize school counseling resources and to actively focus on creating their new normal.

The Hechinger Report examines the reasons behind the decline in enrollment at community colleges amidst the pandemic. Traditionally, community colleges provided opportunities for adults to learn new skills during a poor job market.  But, students are citing not wanting to learn virtually, concern about infection, the need to earn income, and the need for greater guidance from staff and faculty regarding school as barriers to enrollment. Experts recommend guided pathways, increased communication, and intentional personal connections between students and staff or faculty.