Bee Well initiative supports student wellness
Written by Colleen Miller, photos by Tyler Rispoli
College can be a tumultuous journey, filled with many ups and downs. Luckily, when SCAD students are in need of a little extra support, Counseling and Student Support Services (CS3) is there to lend a hand.
This fall, the new Bee Well initiative extended programs [already in place with CS3], while adding elements to their mission of wellbeing. “There are a number of programs and services offered for SCAD students, but one of the things CS3 wants to do a better job of is making sure students know all the resources available. Bee Well is our way to centralize the information and communication,” said Chris Corbett, director of CS3 at SCAD.
In an effort to promote open communication and overall wellness, their events around campus will aim to reduce stress. A great partnership has been formed between CS3 and SCADfit to promote a healthy lifestyle with pop-up yoga and other ways of de-stressing. Student Activities and leadership are also pitching in to support the Bee Well initiative. “It’s really an entire university effort to help students,” Corbett said.
The Bee Well initiative also impacts CS3’s online presence. Now, their website has a new look and helpful links including MindWise mental health screenings. These anonymous online surveys are a great way to assess mental health and learn about suggested next steps. Screenings may recommend making an appointment with the counseling staff, where five members are being added to the team. After these hirings, the clinical staff will total fifteen members.
The physical manifestation of the Bee Well initiative is the Bee Well Center at Turner House. This satellite location of Bradley Hall counseling will maintain two staff members Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“We can’t wait to fill all our appointments up because the reason we exist is to help students,” Corbett said.
The office was once home to Residence Life and Housing but has transformed into a mental health haven. Located just a few steps from the Hive and Turner House, the Bee Well Center strives to be convenient and welcoming. The space, designed by a team led by Glenn Wallace, SCAD Chief Operating Officer, offers both scheduled counseling sessions as well as walk-in visits for more urgent situations.
“We designed with holistic wellness in mind,” Wallace said. “We established a calming yet vibrant space that encourages students’ feelings of comfort and openness. The Bee Well initiative promotes emotional, physical, and social wellbeing, and we catered to each of those in the design.” When the doors swing open at the Bee Well Center, students are transported into a soothing environment with ambient music, casual seating and colorful accents. It is an immediate sigh of relief.
“CS3 wants students to know the office and SCAD, in general, cares greatly about every student and we hope that has always been their experience. If not, the goal of Bee Well is to really make sure students are hearing, as well as experiencing, that message,” Corbett said. “You can say a lot of things, but you have to back it up with actions. This is about action.”
To take advantage of these free counseling and mental health services, call 912-525-6971 to make an appointment. In
For more information visit the Bee Well website or Instagram.
