Supporting the mental health and overall well-being of students throughout college is something the University of Minnesota takes seriously. Students are part of a community, and faculty and staff across the University are key to their well-being. The University has spaces designed specifically to support students with anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health challenges, though it might come as a surprise that University Libraries have increasingly played a role in that support.
“It’s the idea of student choice, that if we can provide a lot of choices for them, they’re going to be able to engage in a way that’s useful for them,” says Kate Peterson, an undergraduate services librarian at the University Libraries.
“Libraries are good connectors to mental health services,” agrees Lacie McMillin, an undergraduate services specialist. “Part of our job is connecting students with what they need, and sometimes that’s those mental health services.”
Therapy animals, mental health clinics, and more
In 2021, University Libraries began partnering with Boynton Health (the campus student health services provider) to open a new mental health clinic on the fourth floor of Wilson Library on the University’s West Bank.
The Libraries was an obvious choice for a mental health clinic; it’s a public space that welcomes all students, regardless of year or program.
Wilson Library is also a popular venue for Boynton’s Pet Away Worry and Stress (PAWS) program. PAWS is a free event where students can pet and play with registered therapy animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and even, on occasion, miniature donkeys.
Recently, Walter Library also has begun hosting PAWS, which has quickly become one of the Libraries’ most popular events, with around 175 visitors per session.
Preventative mental health
This year, the Libraries started a new event series, Friday Finish, which encourages students to avoid procrastination and finish their work early so they can enjoy the weekend and not get stressed out Sunday night.
“It’s that feeling on a Friday afternoon where the last thing you want to do is homework or studying, but if you could just get a little bit more work done … your weekend will be better,” Peterson says.
Friday Finish also coincides with free peer tutoring at Walter Library, as well as other programs. And if students just need a break to de-stress, there are crafting stations for button or bracelet making, mini-painting, and more.
Quiet places to study and de-stress
Big events aren’t for everyone, and in the spirit of student choice, the Libraries has quieter options.
All the libraries across campus offer quiet study spaces, like room 208 at Walter Library, the quiet study room on the fifth floor of the Health Sciences Library, or study room 301B in Wilson Library. There are more than 60 group or individual study rooms at the Libraries, which can be reserved for up to two hours per day.
Walter, Wilson, and the Health Sciences Library also have meditation and reflection rooms equipped with rugs, pillows, and chairs. Unique to Wilson Library is the sensory-friendly study room, which includes adjustable lighting, a sit/stand desk, an exercise ball, fidgets, a weighted blanket, pillows, and more.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a library without books. The Libraries have a wellness, self-care, and mental health awareness reading list. Students can check these books out in person or online through the Libby app.
This story is adapted from University of Minnesota Libraries
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