When we think about college, we often remember the happy times – moving into dorms, meeting new friends, taking classes, having new experiences, and having a vibrant social life. College is a time of fun and excitement, and many of us have fond memories of our college and young adult years.
However, for a growing number of college students, college and young adulthood is a time when depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns are increasing. Studies show a rise in mental health concerns with college students spanning the gamut of issues from relationship struggles and feeling overwhelmed to paralyzing depression and anxiety.
Westminster Foundation of West Virginia campus ministers and leaders are helping students to address these issues through community building, training, and pastoral care and presence. Campus ministries also help students find resources on campus and in the community to get professional help when needed.
To hear more about the rising student mental health concerns on campuses and see how Westminster Foundation of WV ministries address these needs, follow our posts on Facebook this spring. This series of posts is leading up to the Westminster Foundation of WV board retreat April 8-9 at the Harless Center in Morgantown.
The Westminster Foundation board and ministers will take part in a Soul Shop for Collegiate Ministries training on Monday, April 8. This training is for leaders in campus ministry settings to learn how to minister to people impacted by suicidal desperation. Westminster Foundation pastors Chris Bailey and Shelly Barrick Parsons consulted on the development of the Soul Shop for Collegiate Ministries curriculum.
The day-long event includes training, creation of worship resources, and information about suicidal desperation in young adulthood. If you know of someone connected to a campus ministry or a college students who would benefit from this training, please contact westfoundwv@gmail.com to register. The cost is $25 and includes lunch, snacks, and training materials.
The Presbytery of West Virginia will sponsor a separate Soul Shop training tailored to congregations on October 24 at the Presbytery office in South Charleston. Part of the 2019 Expanding Your Ministry Toolbox series, it will be $60; more information will be available closer to event time.