Experts say faith can be the intersection of men tal health, well-being and student success. The social support network offered by involvement with a faith community can be a bedrock in a time of change and adjustment, and it is a sign of a balanced lifestyle. Mason has developed a university-wide culture that promotes access to mental health tools and counseling services, in addition to an awareness of how overall well-being affects people of all walks of life and how the responses differ from person to person.
A major component, which University Life supports and hopes to expand, is the ability for students to have faith at the forefront of their lives, a facet that has been shown to improve student mental health without regard to what an individual’s religious experience may look like. It’s not exactly a secret that college students are experiencing mental health struggles at an historic rate. They’ve lived through a pandemic that, in many cases, delayed their academic growth. They face a sometimes-toxic world in social media, where peers, strangers or bots can be relentless and cause unnecessary pain, anxiety or frustration. And a litany of other issues – isolation, depression or relationship struggles among them – can be constantly present and impact their development.
Broadly, Mason leaders have worked to adapt a proactive model that offers students, faculty and staff preventative measures and intervention methods that respond to an immediate concern or cause of distress. “We want these important conversations to happen on campus, but we recognize that not everybody feels comfortable doing this in therapy or counseling,” said Dr. Rachel Wernicke, University Life Associate Dean and Chief Mental Health Officer. “Our goal is to support students and be there for them where they are, whether that’s in a classroom, in a community where they are comfortable or with mental health professionals. “A sense of belonging is critical to mental health and well-being, and we’re trying to provide that without barriers.” The issue can’t be understated: Data from the national Healthy Minds Study reveals 1 in 3 students meet the criteria for a clinically significant mental health problem, translating to nearly 7 million students nationwide – or roughly 13,200 of Mason’s 40,000 student population. The research shows those problems affect academic performance, increase the potential for dropping out and have additional negative consequences. The same report states action steps, which include: reducing stigmas around mental health; pursuing partnerships toward care and prevention; and investing and tailoring those services to a diverse population offer benefits to students. Rabbi Daniel Novick and Pastor Drew Ensz have seen first-hand the positive impacts faith can have on student mental health and well-being. Novick, who leads Hillel at Mason and serves as the chair of Mason’s Campus Ministry Association (CMA), and Ensz, the head of Arise Campus Ministry, say personal beliefs and their shared association with others can be a source of comfort and healing. The importance, they say, isn’t what, how or where students practice their religion, only that they have the opportunity to do so and to have the ability for organic exploration. “Mason’s a big place and students want to feel they have a space because they yearn for connection,” said Novick. “The stability that religion can offer people, in a time that is not always stable in one’s life, gives students a sense of positivity and a good feeling that they belong.”
The 20 religious organizations that make up the Campus Ministry Association, with roughly 4,000 students engaged in faith groups, work in harmony to promote the spirit of good mental health and well-being. The association, which currently operates out of the Johnson Center, is a resource that seeks to help students find what they are looking for, Novick and Ensz say. Mason’s goal is to offer a larger, dedicated spiritual center on campus to expand the services the university can offer. “We always put students’ needs first,” said Ensz, who has been at Arise at Mason for nine years and is the former chair of CMA. “No matter your faith or religious tradition, there’s a group we can connect you with at Mason, and we’re happy to do that because it’s to the student’s benefit. “Our communities are about being welcoming and affirming to all students.” Anecdotal stories from students who reach out to CMA or directly to Arise, even when they’re seeking something else and find what they are looking for, happen “all the time,” Ensz says. “It’s about finding a place of community where students can be healthy, and we’re committed to that,” he said. Individuals who engage in religious or spiritual practices, such as meditation, prayer, or attending religious services often exhibit lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, research shows. A faith foundation is a coping mechanism that helps navigate the ups and downs of life. It’s a framework for dealing with personal experiences and adversity while also fostering compassion and understanding. All told, paying attention to the importance of faith is key to building an inclusive and supportive community. In these turbulent times college students are living in, a belief system is a backdrop that can help tune out the noise, Novick said. Students often learn more about what they believe and what others believe, forming a sense of understanding amid the differences. “Part of our role is to expand their views and allow them to access them on their own terms,” Novick said. “They have ownership of what they believe, and Mason and University Life support that growth. “That doesn’t happen everywhere.” University Life’s identification of mental health and well-being as a strategic investment in students illustrates the institution’s dedication to its people. “It’s a reminder that students can connect around their common humanity and basic compassion,” Wernicke said. “Engaging with them is part of our mission and we’ve found that an effective way to provide support is to help them find community with each other.”