{"id":25532,"date":"2021-04-15T20:22:20","date_gmt":"2021-04-15T20:22:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.parcelpending.com\/blog\/preparing-for-the-return-to-campus-university-reopening\/"},"modified":"2023-04-03T18:38:05","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T18:38:05","slug":"preparing-for-the-return-to-campus-university-reopening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.parcelpending.com\/en-ca\/blog\/preparing-for-the-return-to-campus-university-reopening\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for the Return to Campus: University Reopening"},"content":{"rendered":"

After 14 months of uncertainty, universities across the country are planning a <\/span>return to campus<\/span> come <\/span>fall semester<\/span>. Of course, <\/span>higher education<\/span> institutions have adopted many new changes and <\/span>guidelines<\/span> to help facilitate a safe <\/span>return to campus<\/span>. In fact, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions have significantly expedited their innovation timelines, bringing much-needed changes (some discussed for as many as 10 years) to fruition in 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an insider\u2019s look as to how experts see the fall term (and beyond) unfolding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recognizing the Mental <\/b>Health<\/b> Challenges of the Pandemic<\/b><\/h2>\n

Not only was there a major public <\/span>health<\/span> event (pandemic) this year, but a mental <\/span>health<\/span> epidemic raging across universities as well. In fact, 65% of students report having fair or poor mental <\/span>health<\/span>1<\/sup><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lack of connection, <\/span>community<\/span>, and confusion played key roles. In particular, research shows that LGBTQ, BIPOC (standing for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) suffered disproportionately. The quest for racial justice also added to mental questioning.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, students’ use of <\/span>campus<\/span>-based mental <\/span>health<\/span> resources actually declined last year with 47% saying they could have used some (28%) or a lot (19%) more support from their <\/span>college<\/span> during this time<\/span>2<\/sup><\/span>. Here are six factors that contributed to this weakening demand<\/span>,<\/span> including:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Fear<\/b> \u2013 Students questioning if it was safe to return for a mental <\/span>health<\/span> session.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Privacy<\/b> \u2013 Questions about how private mental <\/span>health<\/span> sessions were from prowling ears, especially as they returned home.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Exhaustion<\/b> \u2013 Students feeling as if therapy took too much effort when they already felt overwhelmed.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Belief<\/b> \u2013 Does therapy really work?<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Isolation<\/b> \u2013 Should students even bother improving their <\/span>health<\/span> when so many other important crises happening in the world<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Disconnection<\/b> \u2013 With so many remote classes, students felt disconnected from <\/span>college<\/span> and its services.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Employing a <\/b>Plan or Protocol<\/b> to Ensure the Mental <\/b>Health<\/b> of Students & <\/b>Staff<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Now, with schools creating strategic plans for reopening in fall of 2021, experts are looking at how to better address the mental needs of students given the recent research.<\/span><\/p>\n