MC Counseling Center unveils new campus relaxation spaces

The Maryville College Counseling Center has unveiled a series of new relaxation spaces across campus made possible by a federal grant provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These spaces are designed to provide a calming refuge for students, allowing them to unwind and recharge in a safe environment.

“The goal was to create sensory spaces to help people relax and feel like they have a safe place to go to feel calm and unwind,” said Claudia Werner, the director of counseling at Maryville College.

“We’ve been working on how to have a trauma-informed approach and network of support on campus,” added Emily Dobias, the First Steps coordinator.

As of now, there are four relaxation rooms on campus. The counseling relaxation den, housed in Bartlett 102, is the latest of these relaxation spaces to be created. A favorite of Dobias, the space has various future plans underway pending its full opening.

The relaxation den will house meetings by the Social Media Detox group as well as other support groups, while also serving as a space for workshops, including mental health wellness kits. 

The International Student Room, a relaxation room aimed at addressing the unique needs of international students, is housed in International House room 305. 

This space offers a comforting environment tailored to help international students navigate the challenges of adjustment as well as provide a space to de-stress in an international community setting.

In addition to these dedicated relaxation spaces, the Sutton Relaxation Room, which is housed in Sutton 125B, serves a more generalized purpose.

This sensory room is accessible to all students seeking a moment to get away from the hustle and bustle of academic demands or personal endeavors alike. Recent studies conducted by students instructed by Karen Beale, professor of psychology, have shown that utilizing this space can lead to a noticeable reduction in heart rate and stress levels among students.

Veterans on campus also have their own dedicated area with the Veterans Relaxation Space, which has quickly become a popular refuge. Werner expressed her delight at the positive feedback from veterans.

 “We’re especially happy with how much they’re utilizing the space. It’s great to see them finding comfort and community here.” Werner noted.

Moreover, Dobias has collaborated with MC3D to design unique fidget toys specifically for these relaxation rooms, which received enthusiastic interest during a recent tabling event. These tactile tools are intended to provide students with additional means to manage stress and anxiety in a hands-on manner.

The final relaxation room recently established on campus is the Disability Services relaxation room, located in Thaw 116. 

As with the other relaxation spaces, the Disability Services relaxation room is part of a broader initiative to foster mental wellness across campus. This space is thoughtfully designed to accommodate the diverse needs of students with disabilities to ensure that everyone has access to a calming environment.

With the collective aim of creating a supportive and nurturing campus environment, these relaxation spaces represent a significant step forward in promoting mental health awareness and providing essential resources for all students.

With ongoing feedback from students and continuous improvements based on research, the Counseling Center is committed to evolving these spaces to better meet the needs of the campus community. 

 “We’re trying to help students in advance to be more proactive about their mental health,” Werner stated.