Columbia State Community College was recently awarded a $50,000 Student Engagement, Retention and Success (SERS) grant from the Tennessee Board of Regents to fund a comprehensive mental health endeavor, “Well-Being Initiative: Cultivating Mental Wellness at Columbia State.” 

The project aims to address mental health barriers for Columbia State students through a multifaceted approach. It will expand access to mental health services for students by providing vouchers for psychiatric appointments and medication management; offer workshops on stress management, ADHD, social skills, and music therapy; and provide students additional self-care resources and tools. These initiatives will provide students with increased resources for managing mental health challenges.

Efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and promote awareness of available support services will encourage more students to seek help. By fostering a supportive campus culture and equipping students with coping skills and resources, the project seeks to create an environment where all students can thrive academically and personally.

“The Counseling Center is thrilled for this opportunity from TBR to bolster the therapeutic support we are able to provide for our students in our office and with our community and medical partners,” said Melissa Febbroriello, LCSW, Columbia State counselor and case manager.  “We will be able to add even more proactive programming to develop coping and resiliency skills in an effort to create successful students inside and outside of the classroom.”

Mental health issues present significant barriers for college students, affecting various aspects of their lives. Depression and anxiety can impair concentration and memory, impacting academic performance. These struggles can also hinder social skills and confidence, making it difficult for students to form relationships and participate in activities. The stigma surrounding mental health often deters students from seeking help or disclosing their struggles. Financial stress from college expenses can exacerbate anxiety and depression, while the transition to college life is particularly challenging for those with pre-existing conditions. Access to mental health services is often limited by long wait times and financial constraints. Students may resort to substance misuse as a coping mechanism, further worsening their mental health. The pressure to succeed academically and socially contributes to stress, anxiety and feelings of inadequacy.

“Students enrolled in higher education institutions may have several barriers that impact their opportunities to complete their academic goals,” said Dr. Christa Martin, executive director of belonging and student resources. “Mental health concerns may be on the list for our students. We can use this grant award to promote mental health prevention and to support the cost of student access to medical professionals. This is a critical concern and the entire college community can help remove this barrier.”

The Counseling Center at Columbia State offers free professional mental health counseling for our students. For more information about the Counseling Center, visit https://columbiastate.edu/counseling-center/index.html.

TBR SERS grants are available for new or existing services or programs that 1) further the system and institution's Strategic Plan, which includes an emphasis on fulfilling TBR’s open access mission; 2) have the potential to significantly increase and/or impact access and success outcomes for traditionally underserved or otherwise legally permissible targeted populations ; 3) have the potential to significantly impact campus climate and the closure of student success gaps in retention, graduation, or other metrics.