Yoga on the Green (SUNY Geneseo/Keith Walters '11)
SUNY Geneseo was recently named a “Campus Leader in Mental Health Literacy” by Kognito, a health simulation technology company. Geneseo was recognized as one of 17 school districts and institutions across K-12 and higher education who have "demonstrated unwavering commitment to supporting student mental health."
Since 2016, Geneseo has utilized Kognito At-Risk, an online interactive program. Available for both students and employees, the course engages users in simulated conversations to provide skills for talking to and referring students in-need. Geneseo’s Kognito program has been available on campus since 2016 and is an initiative of the Mental Health Advisory Committee.
The Counseling Services office has increased the accessibility of mental health services and support on campus. In August, the office instituted an online appointment request form that has streamlined the process of accessing counseling for students, allowing most to be scheduled with a counselor within 1–2 days of their initial request. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Counseling Services also shifted to a teletherapy model, allowing the eight licensed counselors to provide mental health services to students regardless if they were on campus or attending remotely.
Counseling Services has made other efforts to meet Geneseo students’ needs, including offering an extensive resource list Coping with COVID, and a Quick Counseling Resource List. Beth Cholette, PhD, RYT, assistant director of counseling services, offers beginning-level yoga and mindfulness videos. Cholette also filmed a virtual version of a RIO, a three-session video series designed to help students build skills for managing emotions. Emma Wolford, LCSW-R, director of counseling services, is a specialist in LGBTQ+ concerns and works collaboratively with both the LGBTQ and multicultural offices on campus to better reach under-served students. Finally, Counseling Services has promoted several of the services currently being offered by New York State, such as Reach Out SUNY and QPR Training.