Wellness Resources

Welcome!

This page is a place for students, faculty and staff to find resources and tools to support health and wellness, both here on campus and in our community. It is also a space where we will share information on special events or programming. 

May is Mental Health Month!

Welcome to Mental Health Month at Columbia Gorge Community College! 

Throughout May, CGCC will host a variety of events and resources focused on mental health awareness and support. From engaging activities like rock painting and scavenger hunts to informative sessions such as QPR training and self-guided trauma-informed training, there's something for everyone to participate in and learn from. Our goal is to promote mental wellness, provide valuable resources, and foster open discussions within our college community. 

Join us in celebrating Mental Health Month as we prioritize mental well-being and resilience together.

Events

Campus Currents Special Edition

Wednesday, April 25th | emailed to all

Check your school email on Thursday, April 25th for a special edition of the Campus Currents newsletter focused on mental health awareness! This edition will feature a list of events and resources, messages from CGCC leadership, and more.

CGCC Rock Painting & Rock Hunt

Rock Party! - The Dalles (Staff & Faculty) - Friday, April 26th | 9 am - 12 pm | The Dalles Campus 3.203
Rock Painting - Hood River (Staff & Faculty) - Supplies Available April 29-30 | Faculty Office Area
Rock Hunt (Students) - Month of May - All over campus (see social media for clues)

CGCC Faculty and Staff members will paint rocks with inspiring or mental health related messages that will be hidden around campuses throughout the month. Students will find a picture of the hidden rocks on social media with clues as to where to find them, and can then bring it to Student Services or contact staff to receive a fun prize!

CGCC staff members Tea Church, Katherine Raymond, and Sara Viemeister showing off the rocks they painted for our 2022 event.

Mental Health Action Day Events - May 16th

  • "Be Seen in Green" - Everyone is invited to come to campus decked out from head to toe in green attire or wear a green ribbon or other accessory to show your support for mental health awareness.  We invite you to take a "selfie" of you or your group wearing green that we can share out to reduce stigma and show we care!
  • Students are invited to come to the Student Life Office to enjoy some green snacks and treats and write messages to fellow students that will be displayed to encourage and support each other's mental health and well-being.

Film Screening: Paper Tigers 

May 24 | 10 am - 12 pm | Virtual Screening & Discussion

This 2015 documentary follows a year in the life of a high school that has radically changed its approach to disciplining students, becoming a model for how to break the cycles of poverty, violence, and disease that affects families. A link will be posted soon.

Self-Guided Trauma Informed Training

All Month | Virtual Access

Training modules created by Portland State University and presented by Trauma Informed Oregon provide a review of information about the neuroscience of trauma, how it impacts the brain and behavior, how individuals and organizations can work to become trauma-informed, and a section on workforce wellness related to these concepts.  These trainings are encouraged for all, but especially for those who may plan to attend the screening of Paper Tigers.  Each module is approximately 10-15 minutes and if time is an issue, we recommend spreading them out throughout the month or focusing on the introduction and science modules (1, 2, 4, 5, & 6).  A workbook to accompany the training is also available.

Additional shorter modules, online resources and articles are available on the Trauma Informed Oregon website and resource library.  

QPR Training

 Monday, May 6th | 9:30 - 11 am | The Dalles, Room 3.202

This QPR Suicide Prevention Training is presented by Youth Think. QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Training for Suicide Prevention is a 90 minute educational program designed to teach lay and professional “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond.

Opioid Rescue Training

Tuesday, May 7th | Time TBD | Hood River Center room TBD

This training, presented by Hood River Prevents, reviews the symptoms of opioid overdose and explains the importance of anti-narcotic medications in saving lives.  Participants will learn how to administer a dose of NARCAN (naloxone) nasal spray to assist an individual experiencing a suspected overdose until emergency services can arrive.  Supply kits will be provided.

Resources

Library display and reading list

There will be bookshelves with books, displays of MHM activities, helpful resources and informational materials/handouts in the library for the entire month of May. 

Social Media

Check CGCC's social media channels for notices of events and important info about mental health throughout the month.

Mental Health Matters: Zoom Backgrounds for Awareness

An additional way you can show support of mental health for both students, colleagues and others, is by downloading and displaying Mental Health Matters Zoom backgrounds throughout the month of May.  Pick one to use all month or switch them up. These zoom backgrounds are one small way you can further encourage awareness, normalize talking about mental health issues, and generally show that you care!