Creative Events Help Students Manage Anxiety

Juliana Rattin, a senior at UW-Milwaukee, spent more than six hours working on a class project in a single sitting, and she was feeling stressed out. She decided to attend Crafting as Self-Care on a Tuesday night with her friends. Hosted by Student Involvement, the event allowed Rattin to take time away from her studies and focus on herself during a busy semester. 

At the crafting table, Rattin and other students broke plates, collected beads and mixed colored powders. They made the broken plates and small items into a mosaic handicraft to take home. Licensed health counselors were present, which allowed students to ask for advice regarding their mental well-being. 

“I like smashing the plate,” Rattin said. “It feels wrong to throw the plates on the ground, but it is calming in a way.”

In 2018, a study by the Norris Health Center at UWM found 66% of students felt overwhelming anxiety. About 48% of students had difficulty functioning due to depression. The study reported that only 26% were treated for anxiety and 24% were treated for depression, and found that stress, anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, work and other issues affected students’ academic performance.  

In the spring of 2019, Student Involvement conducted focus group studies that indicated many students were concerned with stress and metal well-being. 

“For the first time they are out on their own,” said Student Involvement staff member Krystal McCain. “They’re managing what they eat, how they sleep, what they do with their time, and it is overwhelming.” 

McCain said that through the focus groups, Student Involvement decided to hold a Campus Care event once a week to help students deal with stress and metal health issues throughout the school year. 

“I think that mental health is very important, especially as we are getting closer to finals,” said Kiara Schailby, a junior student at UWM. “Being able to take time out of your day and not do anything school related is beneficial.”

Schaibly heard about the events through working with the Student Activities Board. She hopes more students will learn about the events and show up. 

Previous Campus Care events focused on yoga, tai-chi, depression screening and even speed “dating” to find friends. The next event will focus on sleep.