Megan McKnight is the director of the UTC Center for Wellbeing. Photo by Angela Foster.
For many students, attending college means taking on the responsibility of looking after their own safety and well-being.
At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the Center for Wellbeing helps ease that transition. The center provides programs, resources and peer support that address the many dimensions of student well-being, including mental health, physical health, recovery and stress management.
Located on the third floor of the University Center, the center offers a welcoming lounge space where students can relax, connect and learn more about the services available to them.
The center’s director, Megan McKnight, said the mission is to equip students with the tools and support they need to thrive during their time at UTC.
What does your role as director entail?
“I support a team of three full-time health educators, each with a different focus area. One works on mental health and suicide prevention, another on general wellness and physical health, and the third on substance use and our recovery program. We also have an administrative assistant who supports all of our work, plus graduate and undergraduate interns and a team of peer educators.
“In addition to helping my staff design evidence-based health programs driven both by student data and by conversations happening on campus, I also focus on developing our students as leaders in this space. This means helping them learn how to have meaningful conversations with their peers about health and well-being.”
What are some of the specific things your office offers?
“Our most visible work is programming that brings well-being practices right into the campus environment. You’ll see us on Chamberlain Field, on Vine Street, or inviting folks into our lounge space for different activities. We cover topics like sleep, mental health, stress management or anything that supports student well-being.
“Beyond that, we offer classroom trainings and group sessions on things like suicide prevention and opioid overdose response. We also provide direct services such as health coaching, which is a nonclinical way for students to work on goals around behavior change. Stress is the most common reason students come to us for coaching. We also oversee a recovery program that provides peer-led support for students managing mental health, addiction and eating disorders.”
How can students access your services?
“Most students connect with us through Instagram (utc_cw) or MocSync, where we post about what’s going on. We also have a physical space on the third floor of the University Center with a lounge, resources and staff who are always happy to talk. For some services, the easiest way to start is through our Instagram page or by dropping by our office.
“And yes, we do have massage chairs in the lounge, which students love.”
There’s still a stigma around mental health. What do you want students to know about reaching out?
“First, I always want students to know they’re not alone. There are so many people on this campus who care about them and their mental health. I understand that it can feel scary to ask for help, especially with the narratives out there that say people should handle things on their own or that asking for help is a weakness.
“But the truth is, it’s the opposite. It’s a brave thing to do. Our data shows that 99% of UTC students say they would never judge a peer for using mental health resources. Faculty and staff I’ve spoken with also deeply care about making sure students are supported. We want students to know it’s OK to ask for help and that this community is here to back them up.”
What does it look like when a student comes up to you and says, “I need help”?
“The first thing I do is ask follow-up questions to understand what’s going on so I can connect them with the right resources. If it’s something urgent, like thoughts of suicide, I’ll immediately involve colleagues who can ensure the student is safe while I explain the process and help them get the care they need.
“If we’re talking about food insecurity, Student Outreach and Support is the best place to go. If the best resource isn’t in our office, we’ll make sure students get to the right place. Sometimes, students just stop by with questions and we help connect them to the appropriate support.”
So, the Center for Wellbeing isn’t only about mental health?
“Exactly. While mental health is a big part of our work, we address all areas of well-being. The case management team we have here is great at answering questions for students about the options that exist and making referrals. But our team can support that, too. If you don’t know where to go, the Center for Wellbeing is a good first stop. Our staff know the resources and can make sure students get to the right place, even if it’s not us. We have an open-door policy and we often have students stop in with questions.”
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