A Message from the President: Mental Health

March 22, 2019

Dear Members of the Villanova Community,

With the arrival of the first day of spring, our community inches closer to celebrating the end of the semester and the achievements of those graduating from Villanova. While this time of year is celebratory, we also know, and have experienced, that this can be a time of great stress and anxiety. These feelings can be brought on in numerous ways, whether it be final exams, papers, projects and presentations; fear of failure and the unknown; or separating from friends and familiar surroundings. 

As a community, we quickly acknowledge good physical health, but we must also be a champion for good mental health. I know there are times when community members experience academic or social challenges; moments of personal struggle that are hard to admit; and instances of being excluded—intentionally or unintentionally.

Whatever the case may be, I implore you to speak up and seek help if you are struggling in any way. Please, don’t be afraid to ask.

A community is only as strong as its members, so if you are concerned about someone, do not hesitate to check on them. If they are suffering, you can help them find support. Villanova offers many resources and there are countless people at the University who care and want to help. As a reminder, the University Counseling Center offers free, confidential personal counseling. Appointments can be scheduled at 610-519-4050 or in-person at 206 Health Services Building. The Counseling Center is also available if you are concerned about the emotional well-being of a fellow community member. You can also contact Campus Ministry, the Resident Assistant (RA)
on duty or the Student Health Center, which is open 24/7 when classes are in session, at
610-519-4070.

As St. Augustine reminds us, “God loves each of us as if there is only one of us.” As a community, let us pay attention to each and every person we encounter with our undivided love, care and concern. The essence of our Augustinian community is building relationships. Let us work together to ensure that every day all our members feel included and valued for their unique contributions.

Sincerely,