A Support System for Students

As the semester is coming to an end, there is a lot of stress and mixed emotions and feelings for students. It is important to have a solid support system that will help students finish strong. There is an on campus program that is designed to help students through difficult times.

This specific group that is offered at Cal State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is the U-Chapter, this is an on campus is part of a network of student organizations that exists to spread the mission and vision of To Write Love on Her Arms.

“The organization To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to raising awareness and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide,” said founder and current president of TWLOHA- CSUMB MaryEllen Olson.

Olson has gone a long way to help all these students, she said, “It was created last fall, by myself. I attended a training in LA through To Write Love on Her Arms in order to be eligible to start the U-Chapter here on campus, and after completing the necessary forms and applications, we officially launched our chapter in September of 2011.”

Ever since 2011, U-Chapter as a club, have created a safe place to “educate people about mental health and also hear from students and members about their own stories of mental health issues, whether it is their own or a family member or friend,” said Olson.

As far as services go, U-Chapter is frequently a member-oriented group. “We strive to be a place where people can come talk, listen, and ask questions about the things most people are afraid to discuss- mental health has always been a taboo subject in our culture, and we are trying to change that,” said Olson. All students are welcome to attend, for further questions contact MaryEllen Olson.