Wellness Center Offers Cumberland Students Pockets of Peace

From well-known athletes like Naomi Osaka, Simone Bilesand Lane Johnson to superstar celebrities like rapper Kanye (Ye) West andcomedian Pete Davidson, the topic of mental health awareness has been at theforefront of many people’s minds.

In an effort to help students adapt to these challenging times,the Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) Wellness Center at Cumberland is dedicated to assisting them in attaining positive health outcomes. The Center also provides a safe spacewhere students can go if they are looking to find some inner peace.

“We offer full, clinical counseling services,” said John Wojtowicz, director,Student Counseling & Wellness. “We also offer case management, and we havea food pantry. We kind of operate more like a community health center.”

The director also revealed the Wellness Center is available toCumberland students who are “just having a bad day or if they have a pervasiveand persistent mental concern.”

There are myriad reasons why students might experience negativemental health outcomes. The Wellness Center provides a plethora of services that can help them get out of avariety of strenuous situations.

“We have case management where we can get students connected withthe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” said Wojtowicz. “If astudent is homeless, if their electricity is turned off at home, or if theirwater gets shut off — we’re here to navigate those environmentalconcerns.”

Since March 2020, the pandemic has been hanging over everyone’sheads like an ominous cloud. The counselors at the Wellness Center haveobserved the effect it’s had on students.

“We’ve definitelynoticed that students are not as involved and engagedbecause they’re dealing with so many stressors in their personal lives,” saidRuby Aparicio-Pagan, Licensed Social Worker, mental health counselor at the Center.”It has definitely impacted them socially, emotionally, mentally andphysically.”

“Students have a grieving process they go through because they didn’t have the normal highschool senior experience and now, they’re not having that normal college experience,”said Mary Brown, graduate student, and intern at the Wellness Center. “I thinkthat’s a huge adjustment for a lot of our students.”

Every cloud has a silver lining, even during the toughest times,and the counselors shared a few thoughts about how students can cultivate ahealthy mind state.

“I don’t think there’s a quick fix. It’s going to take some time,”said Aparicio-Pagan. “But I do firmly believe there’s little lifestyle changesyou can make to take care of yourself, like participating in sound healingevents that we’re going to be offering on campus. Anything that brings youhappiness and just a little pocket of peace.”

“I agree with Ruby. It’s about adapting,” said Wojtowicz, who lovesliterature, writing and performing poetry at open mics. “The things you doevery day are going to affect your health outcomes as far as wellness, as faras physical health, as well as mental health. It’s not the one vacation youtake a year, or the one workshop you get involved in. It’s those small adjustmentsevery day that are going to lead to that.”

“I think our students have been, in that way, very resilient inadapting to mental health,” he continued. “There’s a learning curve foreverybody in this new space we’re living in. What students can do is justcontinue to adapt, to take it one day at a time,and keep their eyes on their goals. Don’t focuson how things should have been and move towards accepting how things are.”

Aparicio-Pagan, who enjoys listening and dancing to Cumbia, alsonoted the importance of those in the public eye, like Osaka and Biles, sharingtheir experiences with the world. “I would hope that these two amazing femaleathletes speaking up about their struggles encourages notonly our students, but all of us to work on our mental health. I am extrahopeful that their message will reach those who traditionally and statisticallydo not speak about mental health or access services, for example people ofcolor.”

The RCSJ Wellness Center at Cumberland is a welcoming place forstudents who may feel uncomfortable sharing their feelings with family andfriends. “The clinicians here are just regular people,” said Wojtowicz. “We’renot here to analyze or diagnose. Think of it as a safe space to vent and talkand a place where you can make a plan. The person you’re talking to is notgoing to judge you. We’re just here to support the students.”

The counselors at the Wellness Center have a valuable message theywant to share with the student body. “I encourage students to take advantage ofwellness services,” said Wojtowicz. “You don’t have to be at the end of yourrope. We encourage students to be proactive about their mental health and takethose mindful moments throughout the day. Find things that bring them joy andincorporate that into their schoolwork and into their lives. I think this is akey component of success.”

“I definitely agree with John,” said Aparicio-Pagan. “Don’t waituntil you’re in the burning building and have a firefighter come to save you.Come and see us. Please take advantage of these resources while you can.”

Formore information about the RCSJ Wellness Center at Cumberland, please visit RCSJ.edu/CWS/Cumberland.For information about upcoming RCSJ Wellness Wednesday events, please visit RCSJ.edu/CWS/WellnessWednesdayEvents.