From October 13 to 17, William Paterson University hosted its annual Wellness Week, a campus-wide initiative aimed at promoting mental health awareness and self-care.
The week included a two-day break from classes, giving students, faculty, and staff a chance to pause, recharge, and focus on their well-being.
To gain insight into the broader conversation around student mental health, we spoke with Dr. Suzanne Degges-White, a professor at Northern Illinois University and author of College Student Mental Health Counseling.
When asked where most mental health struggles among students stem from, she explained, “Pressure to succeed, pressure to be cool, pressure to focus on your career while also keeping up with your studies, friendships, and romantic relationships—pressure comes from so many directions. Many students are also trying to manage part-time jobs or worry about financial situations.”
During the break, many students used the time to catch up on coursework, prioritize their health, or simply get some rest. The short pause offered a rare opportunity to step away from academic stress and reset before the second half of the semester.
Still, some questioned whether two days were enough to make a lasting impact. Compared to other universities that offer longer wellness breaks, some students felt that the time off was helpful but limited.
Even so, most agreed that the initiative marked a positive step toward normalizing conversations about mental health on campus. As Dr. Degges-White noted, “We need to not make it something so scary or shameful that people feel weird, because the more weird we feel about something, the more uncomfortable it becomes.”
When asked how they felt about the break, several students shared their experiences: “Mental health is important, especially for men, because it’s not often publicized,” said Jeremiah Adams.
“It seems weak for men to be open about their mental health, so what William Paterson did with this event was a step forward in helping men feel comfortable.”
“It was very relaxing. It helped me a lot, and I enjoyed my days off,” mentioned Saniah Brewington.
“It was good. I was able to go home. I really needed it,” stated Ali Stoner.
“I’d say it helped because I took the time to focus on what really matters, which is my mental health,” voiced Endiyah Thompson.
After multiple interviews, it was clear that many students appreciated the opportunity to step back and recharge.
Dr. Degges-White also shared five key steps for approaching mental health in everyday life:
- Normalize your emotions. “If someone seems stressed, acknowledge it. It’s okay to talk about it.”
- Set healthy boundaries. “We often say yes to too much and then feel worse when we can’t keep up.”
- Take care of yourself. “Stick to a regular routine—it helps maintain balance.”
- Avoid isolation. “Don’t withdraw from others when you’re struggling.”
- Seek supportive people. “Surround yourself with friends who truly understand and uplift you.”
Students are also reminded that help is always available on campus through the Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center, or by calling the Crisis Helpline at 973-720-2257.
Support groups and other mental health resources can also be found through the university’s counseling service.
