Editor’s note: This article is featured in the November print edition “Commemorating Mental Health” with an inaccurate headline. We have published this article digitally to provide an updated and accurate headline. To receive mental health services, please contact Counseling and Psychological Services, or utilize the free, 24/7 service TimelyCare.
The Multicultural Center, established 1994, aims to improve students’ personal and academic achievements by equipping them to become responsible citizens in a diverse society. The center builds cultural interaction between students and the campus community to promote cultural awareness.
The center achieves this goal through program sponsorship, organization guidance, event hosting, diversity training and support in student recruitment.
Providing outreach to students, the center helps underrepresented groups and minorities to seek higher education.
While being a welcoming and inclusive environment for diverse populations at USI, the center can also help students access mental health resources.
Cesar Berrios, associate director of the Multicultural Center, said since the MCC staff are not licensed professionals, the staff always sends them to Counseling and Psychological Services.
“We definitely connect and provide additional resources for students so they feel comfortable to go over there where they can get the proper help that they can get,” Berrios said.
Berrios said the staff in the center try to develop relationships with the students as much as possible.
“Our students come in here for various reasons and so we’re always asking them how are they doing,” Berrios said. “A lot of it is just developing those relationships so that we’re able to assist them as best as we can.”
Students have expressed positive opinions on mental health resources on campus.
Morgan Reger, sophomore elementary education major, said she takes the time to do her homework early.
“If I’m struggling, I usually just talk to my friends,” Reger said. “I also have a therapist.”
Levi Kunkler, freshman mechanical engineering major, said his mental health at USI has been good this past year.
“I take plenty of breaks between work and homework, that way I don’t feel overly stressed,” Kunkler said.
The Multicultural Center also provides a variety of events covering topics to help students.
“We have a couple of programs that I think for students who are needing a little bit more support and maybe a little bit more sense of community, they are able to attend,” Berrios said. “We have a program called Power Hour which is held twice a month and then they can come in.
Berrios said the “Power Hour” program presents special topics for each session that relate to student issues.
“Those are some of the areas where they’ll be able to have an open discussion, a dialogue, to learn more about how to handle some of these issues,” Berrios said.
Kylee Hogan, sophomore business major, said she has used CAPS on campus before.
“I’ve gone to the therapy on campus before,” Hogan said. “I used it last year and it was really helpful.”
Elle Gensic, sophomore marketing major, tries to keep her work life and school life separate from her own personal life.
“I try to keep things interesting,” Gensic said. “You know, making sure you’re doing simple things like self-care and treating yourself is really important.”
Berrios said the Multicultural Center provides additional support students need.
“Of course, not everybody utilizes the Multicultural Center, but I do see the Multicultural Center as being an additional resource on campus for students,” Berrios said. “For those students who seek us, we’re here to support them. We’re here to help them. We’re here to listen to them. We’re here to guide them.”
Berrios said at the end of the day, the staff of the MCC want the best for students.
“We want them to succeed academically, socially, professionally, however it is, so we’re here to provide that additional support,” Berrios said.
The Multicultural Center’s office is open 8-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the academic year.
