Pulse

EVMS marks World Mental Health Day

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Black Man meditating

October 10 is World Mental Health Day and, throughout October, EVMS is helping to raise awareness, mobilize efforts in support of mental-health care, train the next generation of providers and support members of the EVMS community.  

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness: 

  • 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. 
  • 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year. 
  • 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24. 

“World Mental Health Day provides an ideal opportunity for us to come together and talk not only about the importance of mental health as a public health issue, but the unique and meaningful ways that we can support each other as a campus community,” says Matthew Schenk, Associate Vice President of Human Resources.  

Richard Handel, PhD, serves in the dual roles of Institutional Wellness Officer and Director of the Student Mental Health Program. He says it’s especially important for healthcare professionals to be mindful of their own mental health needs.  

“Taking breaks, practicing meditation, having coffee with a coworker or colleague — these are all easy ways to incorporate moments of calm in our increasingly stressful lives.” 

Both Mr. Schenk and Dr. Handel encourage EVMS employees, however, to be on the lookout for symptoms and signals that go beyond routine stress. Such signs include changes in behavior and physical appearance, thoughts of suicide and self-harm and pervasive feelings of depression, anxiety or isolation. (Find out more about those signs and others.)  

EVMS has a number of low- or no-cost resources available to staff, faculty and students who are looking for efficient and effective ways to help improve their mental health. Among those resources: 

Webinars and Educational Programming 

Health Advocate has a library of archived webinars available to staff and faculty at no charge. Pertinent recent sessions include: 

Student Mental Health program 

EVMS Student Mental Health (SMH) offers evaluations, consultation, and short-term psychotherapy (i.e., counseling) to all full-time EVMS students and their spouses/partners. The program is located on the second floor of Andrews Hall in the Student Health Clinic. Telehealth services also are available for students located in Virginia.  

SMH services are covered by student fees and are entirely separate from insurance benefits. No charges are submitted to students’ insurance provider when they seek services under the SMH program. Generally, the number of SMH sessions available to a student or their spouse/partner is limited to seven visits per year. Find out more. 

Wellness Centers 

Physical activity has many mental health benefits, including improved cognitive function, a reduced risk of anxiety and depression, and improved sleep and overall quality of life.  

EVMS community members have access to two Wellness Centers on campus and may be eligible to receive special deals and discounts through local partner organizations.  

Student Wellness Center 
Waitzer Hall Suite 212 
Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last entry at 9:30 p.m.) 
Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Students who would like to use the facility must fill out a membership form at the Student Wellness Center before they can access the gym.  

Employee Wellness Center 
Open to: Faculty, staff, residents and fellows 
Andrews Hall Suite 528 
Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last entry at 9:30 p.m.) 
To use the facility, employees must complete online enrollment and orientation in Blackboard. Facility access will be granted two business days after completing the course.  

Residents may use either the Student or the Employee Wellness Center. 

Find out more about Wellness at EVMS including programs, resources and tools available to staff, faculty and students.