Being a Student Wellness Ambassador and a peer health educator at Moreno Valley College has opened up many opportunities. Before this program, not many students were well informed or equipped with resources on things like knowing the signs or how to cope with stress, and Mercedes Barbara is proud to have changed that during her year as a Student Ambassador at Moreno Valley College.
The goal as a mental health ambassador was to create buzz and awareness about the different resources that are out there in our community, on and off campus. On May 3 as part of mental health awareness month, Bakersfield College and SHAWAC On May 3, 2019, Student Ambassadors hosted an event that gave a lot of cool gadgets and information to help relieve some stress. There were also some moments of truth when asking the students if they knew we had mental health counselors on campus and if they knew where it was located.
Two Student Wellness Ambassadors shared their perspective on this new program: “The momentum that we feel in trying to get this movement started on campus is palpable, and watching our friends take the lead in networking with students and step into leadership roles has been inspiring.”
If you are, or think you might be LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and other identities), and going through a tough time, you’re not alone. Whether you’re trying to figure out your own identity or want to learn how to talk to others, it can be hard to know where to find support.
