Pueblo Community College recently received the Healthy Minds Campus designation from the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
The designation recognizes the collective efforts among PCC students, staff, faculty and community members to raise awareness and increase access to inclusive and comprehensive mental health services.
“By supporting our students’ mental health, we are impacting not only PCC, but our whole community,” said Toni Skilling, PCC’s director of student life and leadership.
In order to receive the Health Minds designation, schools must implement four core programs, according to the CDHE:
- Include mental health services information on syllabi and student IDs.
- Offer prevention programs that focus on at least two aspects of improving mental health – for example, physical health, nutrition and time management.
- Hold one awareness event each year.
- Provide avenues to access online mental health support or connect students to community resources.
In addition, schools must implement two programs each in the categories of access, awareness and prevention.
PCC students have access to a broad range of campus services that contribute to mental health, including the Wellness & Rec Center, Panther Student Pantry, PCC Health Clinic and referral services for community support organizations.
“To be designated as a Healthy Minds Campus, along with our already achieved Hunger Free Campus designation, means that as a campus, we recognize there is a need for these resources,” said Skilling. “We are taking the necessary steps to ensure our students have all of the tools and resources needed to be successful in school and in life.”
PCC was named a Hunger Free Campus by the CDHE in December 2021 for its efforts to alleviate food insecurity on its campuses.
