ERC Student Leadership Council Introduces Mental Wellness Campaign

Achievement date: 
2021
Outcome/accomplishment: 

The Student Leadership Council of the NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE), headquartered at Utah State University, introduced a mental wellness campaign in 2021. The social media-based initiative was made possible through an NSF grant to support engineering student mental health.

Impact/benefits: 

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, students are exposed to stress, uncertainty, and fear that may affect their mental health and academic performance. The social media campaign “Wellness Wednesday,” administered by the Center’s Student Association, provided mental wellness resources for engineering students across multiple campuses.

Explanation/Background: 

The ASPIRE Student Leadership Council and Student Association, both student-led organizations affiliated with the NSF-funded ERC, provide a collaborative forum for a diverse group of students to promote opportunities for skills development and workforce preparation. This includes improving the quality of life and the physical and mental health of everyone who is involved with the Center.

 

With the assistance of an NSF mental wellness grant, a “Wellness Wednesday” campaign was introduced in 2021. Through a series of social media posts across individual ERC school platforms, the Student Association posted resources and tips for staying physically and mentally healthy. Participating schools included Utah State University, the University of Texas at El Paso, Purdue University, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the University of Auckland.