mental health Archives - The Mount Observer

Supporting Every Student

By editorialteam on February 23, 2024

Senior Mental Health Counselor Leeanne Hadsel’s Commitment to Student Wellness

By Elysian Alder | Editor-in-Chief

Leeanne Hadsel stepped into the role of mental health counselor at Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) in the fall semester of last year, following a vacancy left by the previous counselor’s departure in the spring semester. With over a decade of experience in behavioral health and a background in trauma-informed care, Hadsel brings not only a wealth of knowledge in her field but also a special connection to the Mount, considering it an integral part of her personal success. Having taken classes at MWCC in the past to complete her remaining credits after experiencing difficulty at a traditional 4-year school, Hadsel stated,“The Mount provided the very-needed second chance to believe in myself and my desire to be educated. It was such a privilege that opened up a lot of doors for me. So I’m excited to become a member of the community again and work with students that have faced adversity and are trying to educate themselves and better their lives.” read more

Do You Have a Minute for Mental Health?

By editorialteam on February 13, 2023

“Melissa’s Mental Health Minute” Videos Still Making the Rounds, Even After COVID Lockdown

By Alondra DeLeon Guimaraes | Observer Contributor

Destressing can be quite challenging sometimes. Sometimes it’s viewed as an inconvenience, another chore to add to the to do list, or it can feel too time consuming. This perspective is often observed among the students and faculty at Mount Wachusett Community College, but it’s actually easier than one would think. The Mount’s mental health counselor, Melissa Manzi, partnered with the Dean of Students, Jason Zelesky, and the marketing department to launch a vlog series on YouTube called Melissa’s Mental Health Minute for this very reason during the pandemic. “Our challenge was to find ways to connect to our students,” Dean Zelesky explained. “Having the remote infrastructure was not easy for our students especially during the COVID-19 shutdown.” read more

What Does Self-Care Mean to You?

By editorialteam on February 13, 2023

Students and Faculty Share Their Personal Methods for Destressing

By Alondra DeLeon Guimaraes | Observer Contributor

The end of the semester is the time more than ever to look for different strategies to succeed and finish strong which includes self-care. According to MWCC counselor Melissa Manzi, self-care is to help you get through the difficult things in life. “Does it help? I think yes!” she cheerfully emphasized. Luckily, some students and faculty were able to provide some insight on this method.

“Self- care is a time of reflection for me,” said Yaneliz Montez, a health sciences major student at MWCC. “In the midst of life, one tends to forget about themselves and feel disconnected. They can eventually lose themselves,” she reasoned further. When Montez is not studying or in class, she works as a bartender and is a single mom. read more

Be Well at the Mount

By editorialteam on November 8, 2022

Mental Wellness at Any Time and on the Line

By Cody Nathanson | Assistant Editor

With the rollout of MWCC’s new “Be Well at the Mount” program, students can expect an easier time accessing mental health services on and off campus alongside a new host of options that give greater control to their mental health.

As of September 8, MWCC teamed up with mental health service and wellness provider Christie Campus, a Massachusetts-based company currently supporting over 70 campuses and just over 600,000 students across the U.S. The 30-year-old health insurance company now turned mental health provider, is still relatively new in the venture, only having made the switch back in 2018. read more

Disguised in Your Own Skin

By editorialteam on October 6, 2022

Former Student and Psychology Professor Discuss Imposter Syndrome

By Skyler Elliot | Observer Contributor

Feelings of being and imposter, or "fake"

Many students face a time at some point in their lives when they feel uncomfortable in their own skin. Imposter Syndrome holds no prejudice when choosing its victims: race, age, gender, culture, physical ability, or level of intelligence, imposter syndrome isn’t picky, and it can affect anyone.

Imposter Syndrome can be displayed in several forms, showing itself through symptoms of perfectionism and isolation, as well as established or recurring feelings of not belonging. It can also cause one to feel as if they don’t deserve the achievements that they have worked for. Someone with imposter syndrome may also feel as if the accomplishments they have achieved are not good enough. read more

Searching for Stress Management Solutions

By editorialteam on October 6, 2022

Could Joining Clubs Help Students Destress?

By Eoin Haggerty | Observer Contributor

Melissa Manzi, the mental health counselor at the Mount since 2011, has found that gaming for students “is a way to destress.”

However, she also found that it can be destructive behavior if not managed correctly. Manzi said, “I would say when a student comes to me about gaming, it’s that it’s a problem or interfering with their studies.” She added, “Many are not aware of how much time they are spending. Some students have to take it out of their day because they can’t stop.” read more

Self-Care for a Successful Finals Season

By editorialteam on May 9, 2020

Experts share tips for end-of-semester stress relief

By Marissa Shea
Observer Contributor

*Image by Dennis Ottink on Unsplash*
**A quiet walk is a good way to de-stress.**

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the move to online instruction, and final exams approaching, many students are more stressed than ever. In this article, three experts will provide advice on how to make it through finals season with self-care tips such as getting enough sleep, exercising, and rewarding yourself for your accomplishments.

Melissa Manzi, the school’s mental health counselor, is available remotely for all students through phone calls or Zoom counseling sessions. Manzi specializes in helping students deal with problems, especially stress. She is often very busy helping students, so it is usually best to make an appointment through iConnect or by email at M_manzi@mass.mwcc.edu. read more

Mental Health Counseling Services Go Remote

By editorialteam on May 7, 2020

Melissa Manzi offers advice to students seeking mental health support

By Peter Edwards
Observer Contributor

*Image from MWCC*
**MWCC Mental Health Counselor Melissa Manzi**

Melissa Manzi, MWCC’s Mental Health Counselor, recently highlighted the telehealth counseling services that are available for all students as well as some advice in how to cope with the drastic changes in all of our lives. Manzi said she is doing everything she can to provide the necessary services and advice to aid students who are struggling during these times.

Manzi is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, providing counseling and support through phone calls or Zoom meetings. Manzi said she assists students with guidance, direction, and tips to hopefully relieve academic stresses. Students can contact Manzi at M_manzi@mass.mwcc.edu with the subject line “counseling” if they would like to make an appointment. More information about accessing mental health resources can be found by clicking the Covid-19 banner on iConnect and selecting the “Health, Housing and Food” category. read more

Older students discuss the struggles of adult education

By editorialteam on September 25, 2019

By Jurrell Pabrezis
Observer Contributor

Between having a job and a family, adults who return to school may have more obstacles to overcome than younger students.

Derek Allen, 32, takes online classes because of his full-time overnight job. “I’m switching majors; I can’t just take online classes. I may have to find a different job,” Allen said.

Despite obstacles, Allen knows that when he graduates he won’t have to worry about both work and school. Allen’s advice for older students is to “stay focused and know that there’s a finish line.” read more

Posts tagged as “mental health”