Following the recent presidential election, the atmosphere on college campuses across the United States has turned decidedly somber. With Kamala Harris's loss to Donald Trump marking the end of her remarkable political rise, students confronted mixed emotions, prompting institutions to spring to action, offering support to help students cope with the unexpected outcome.
Educational institutions, from elite Ivy League schools to state universities, quickly shifted gears, focusing on providing healing spaces for students grappling with this political shock. This included everything from cancelled classes to 'self-care suites,' stuffed with snacks and craft activities. The wave of initiatives were aimed at processing emotions typically amplified during such contentious electoral periods.
At Michigan State University (MSU), for example, Professor Shlagha Borah made headlines by cancelling class to enable students to grieve. She candidly expressed her inability to carry on with normal activities following the election results, saying, "This is a major historical event. I hope you take this time to take care of yourself.” MSU didn't stop there; they created safe spaces where students could find comfort through therapy dogs, coloring books, and even free hugs.
Further illustrating the effort to alleviate election-induced stress, MSU also put together “election care kits,” which included coping strategies like spending time outdoors and limiting exposure to media. This initiative epitomizes the college's response toward mental health support during tense times.
Meanwhile, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) extended their services to include counseling and immigration-related support, recognizing the additional anxiety faced by students concerned about possible immigration policy changes. They truly made strides toward accommodating the mental health needs of their diverse student body.
At the University of Iowa, students were granted class credit just for attending events focused on stress relief and emotional debriefing. Activities such as yoga and workshops on cognitive reappraisal were all part of the package, encouraging students to engage with their emotions and reflect positively.
Over at Georgetown University, the term “self-care suite” gained renown, offering students the option to relax with snacks, mindfulness coloring sessions, and even fun activities like building with Legos. All of these initiatives have raised eyebrows and led to discussions on how far campuses should go to cater to students' emotional well-being.
Critics, including popular commentators like Mitch Albom, have questioned the effectiveness of these responses, arguing they may coddle students instead of preparing them for the harsh realities of post-college life. They believe coping with life's challenges, including political outcomes, shouldn't necessarily mean retreats to safe spaces and relaxation activities. Albom's editorial slammed the trend, noting how today's students might be unprepared for the more tremendous challenges they’ll face as future leaders.
The culture of providing stress relief through “fun” outlets isn't limited to MSU alone. The University of Oregon embraced this sentiment by introducing “Quacktavious the Therapy Duck,” offering hot cocoa and cider as students dealt with post-election emotions. Critics might view such offers as trivializing serious concerns, emphasizing the need for maturity and readiness for life’s unpredictable circumstances.
Colleges are now feeling the pressure from their student bodies to address mental health resources, leading to dueling perspectives on the approach taken. While many see the need for emotional support as imperative, others call for these institutions to instill resilience rather than the comforts of adulthood.
Studies have long suggested the mental health of college students has been on the decline, accentuated by pandemic pressures and political turmoil. Universities are now armed with compelling evidence to back their increased focus on mental health initiatives, yet the balance between supporting students and preparing them for reality remains hotly debated.
Academic societies have also joined the conversation. Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), spoke about the necessity for higher education to band together to stave off declines amid potential cuts to funding and academic freedom under Trump's administration.
With such initiatives as safe spaces and de-stress kits becoming the new norm on many campuses, one wonders how future generations will adapt when confronted with real-world pressures. Will the adaptations offer students the tools they need to face life's challenges, or simply comfort them temporarily without imparting necessary life skills?
For those graduated under these new practices, academia's intent seems clear: to guide students through tougher-than-usual political climates without undermining their emotional well-being. Still, it's the art of maintaining this delicate balance that's proving to be the real challenge.
Time will tell how these changes impact college culture, with biopsychosocial approaches merging with traditional academics, resulting in new ways to nurture young minds. Conversations surrounding mental health through innovative programs like the therapy duck and DIY art activities remain pivotal aspects of the modern college experience.
While campuses will continue to evolve, it remains to be seen how students will carry those lessons of resilience, attachment, and coping mechanisms forward as they navigate their post-college lives.
Until then, higher education stands at the forefront, exchanging traditional pedagogy for innovative coping strategies, all to help students navigate difficult terrains, particularly those miles from the halls of academia.
