We chose Q as our main POV mainly because of the dramatic shift between her mental state before and after experiencing breath-work exercises. Before, she isolated herself, coping with mental health issues by herself. However, after learning breath exercises in a class, she shifted to desiring a group experience such as a joint space or workshop in which she could further her mental health.
As a supporting POV, we chose K because they struggled with receiving and applying mental health knowledge that they already had. Even without the barrier of knowledge, unlike Q, K too found it difficult to better their own mental health. Only when they had the time to start working on this, internationally, were they able to begin getting the help they needed.
K's POV also highlights stigma around getting mental health support which is still prevalent around the Claremont Colleges. With these workshops, insecurity around these issues and finding resources could be reduced given the space is multi-faceted and is a more welcoming environment than traditional therapy, such as at Monsour.
Lastly, both users from these two POV's shared how academics influenced their mental health -- for the better or the worse. Q's Professor helped her with breath-work and balancing coursework with breaks during the semester whereas K felt the need to sacrifice their wellbeing in order to perform academically and to help their peers.
These findings were reinforced by others that we interviewed during our empathy stage who shared similar stigma around mental health in their home towns, extreme academic pressure, and social isolation, especially during the pandemic, all of which worsened their mental health. Even though many users had more time to work on their mental health during the pandemic, certain situations such as a lack of understanding from their families, lack of peer support, feeling alienated from college life, and a lack of mental health resources, prevented users from making the biggest strides towards their wellbeing.
By providing the 5C Collective space and workshop, we are meeting the need for group support as well as teaching students practices that can be done individually, allowing college students to take mental wellbeing in their own hands. The benefits of this knowledge are varied and tremendous -- better mental and physical health, better academic capabilities, more confidence and independence, and more. Students such as Q and K are looking for ways beyond traditional Western therapy to focus on themselves and the 5C Collective is a good start.
Also, students at the 5Cs don't have a shared, quiet, and non-academic space that supports mental wellbeing, an issue that has amplified during the pandemic. Thus, we created the 5C Collective to fill this need and provide students the ability to dynamically improve their wellbeing. We hope 5C students of all identities and backgrounds come to use the space as they see best fit for them. We will continue to modify the space in the future using any feedback given by visitors to the space.
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