3 March ICC to 'Reach Out' to students, faculty during mental health awareness event March 3, 2022 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College will Reach Out to both students and faculty/staff next week (Mar. 7-10) to provide support and assistance in the areas covered by mental health. “While we continue to navigate unprecedented times in our world, we recognize that young adults are experiencing much higher levels of stress and are also reporting much higher rates of mental health challenges in recent years,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “With a nationwide awareness of the challenges that students face, especially resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including social isolation and rapid transition to remote learning, ICC is actively working to accelerate student and employee assistance in mental health. That support will be in addition to our already active counseling services,” Allen said. ICC’s Reach Out campaign will include such activities as outdoor yoga (Monday), painting kindness rocks and a Spotify playlist (Tuesday), cornhole and cornchips, pet-a-puppy spin and coloring station (Wednesday) and donut and coffee with a cop and #NationalPopcornDay (Thursday). Relaxation rooms will be available all week in the libraries at both the Fulton and Tupelo campuses. Events are scheduled at all three college locations, including the Belden Center. The David C. Cole Student Services Building on the Fulton Campus and Academic and Student Center on the Tupelo Campus will be lit green all week to enhance the awareness. In addition, seated sessions will focus on such topics as “Stress, School and Self-Care: Mental Health Awareness, Challenges and Ways to Weather the Storm” presented by Kim Sistrunk and Kecia Williams, both of the Lifecore Health Group, for faculty and “What role does mental health play in healthcare?” sponsored by Access Behavioral Health Services, for students. Allen said that ICC faculty have been encouraged to assign self-care homework and to urge student participation in events by adding extra credit. A special professional development session for faculty, “It’s ok to say no, even in the Hospitality State,” is scheduled for next month. Faculty and staff have had an opportunity to receive a free green Reach Out t-shirt, which they are encouraged to wear on Mar. 10. “We invite everyone to follow ICC’s social media platforms (Instagram and TikTok – Itawamba CC) for mental health awareness information all week.” Allen said. “A Facebook badge has been created for everyone to add to their profile pictures as well.” “We are excited that this awareness week will provide intensive resources and opportunities for relaxation and decompression,” Allen said. “The Reach Out campaign is providing direct access to resources that are designed to assist students with these challenges.” “We appreciate the work of our faculty and staff to provide, many times, one-on-one support systems for our students, not only through their encouragement but also just an opportunity for someone to listen,” Allen said. “Also, we are extremely proud of our students to push forward and lean on each other when help is needed.” More information on ICC’s Reach Out campaign on mental health awareness is available at http://www.iccms.edu/mentalhealth. Related Articles ICC launches partnership with TimelyMD to connect faculty, staff, students with mental and physical health resources Itawamba Community College has launched a partnership with TimelyMD to connect full-time faculty and currently-enrolled students to the support and resources in both mental and physical health they need to succeed. TimelyCare provides on-demand 24/7 service that offers virtual health and well-being to currently-enrolled students and full-time faculty and staff for free, according to Dr. Brad Boggs, vice president of Student Services, including mental and emotional support, health literacy guidance and crisis management by masters-level behavioral health professionals. “It also provides a dedicated phone line for full-time faculty and staff to reach the TimelyCare team for guidance and support in cases of student distress.” Those covered may choose the visit modality that works best for them - video, phone or video chat. The simple, flexible scheduling enables students to choose their provider, day and time as well as cancel a visit and select the next available time that works best for them. Also, students can choose to add a parent, translator or even an adviser to the conversation. According to TimelyMD, “A modern virtual care platform starts with the technology that ... ICC's Public Health Technology program to join in national celebration with local events Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating the week of April 1 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Community health workers are the backbone of public health, bridging the gap between healthcare systems and the communities they serve, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of well-being and equity,” said Caroline Newkirk, ICC adjunct instructor and Evaluation Specialist with the Mississippi Public Health Institute. “ICC’s Public Health Technology program fills a critical gap in Mississippi by offering a curriculum that prepares its students exceptionally well with the knowledge and skills to be invaluable community health workers. In a state that is medically underserved, ... Delta Health Alliance mobile unit to be at ICC-Fulton Thursday; those vaccinated or taking the shot during the event qualify for ICC scholarship drawing The Delta Health Alliance mobile unit will be on the Fulton Campus of Itawamba Community College at the entrance to Lambert Stadium from 3-7:30 p.m., Thursday (Sept. 16), to offer COVID-19 vaccinations. Participants will join those who have been vaccinated in an opportunity to be entered into a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship to ICC. Those who have received at least one shot should bring their vaccination cards to enter the drawing, which will be at halftime of the ICC-Coahoma game, which begins at 6:30 p.m., according to Tyler Camp, chief of staff and special assistant to the president. The scholarship, which is provided by the Delta Health Alliance, is transferrable to a current or future ICC student. “Itawamba Community College’s partnership in our Mississippi RIVER project is a great opportunity for students and their families to receive vaccines and to help the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Fulton native Dr. Karen Matthews, chief executive officer and president of the Delta Health Alliance. All three vaccines will be available. ICC will celebrate Heroes Night to honor past ... ICC's Public Health Technology program joins in Apr. 7-13 national celebration Itawamba Community College’s Public Health Technology program will join those in the profession in celebrating April 7-13 as National Public Health Week. According to program director Cassie Alexander, the theme is “It Starts Here.” She said the commemoration recognizes the contributions of public health in improving the physical condition of the people of the United States and for ICC’s nationally-recognized Public Health Technology program, the residents of Mississippi, specifically those in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties; and achieving health equity. “Public health starts with each of us making a difference in our homes and communities,” Alexander said in summarizing the information provided by the American Public Health Association. “It’s how the places we live, work and play affect our well-being. It’s the way we are all stronger – and healthier – together through the efforts of organizations like the APHA and others that advocate for healthy communities.” Alexander, who serves on the Mississippi State Department of Health Community Health Worker Taskforce, is excited about recent legislation that will help advance the educational and career opportunities for ... ICC's Health Sciences Division to host Code Blue and Red event for students from 12 area schools Itawamba Community College’s Health Sciences Division will host a Code Blue and Red event from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Feb. 10, in the Health Science Education Center at the Tupelo Campus. Students from 12 area schools will be on campus in two shifts (8:30 and 10:15 a.m.) to view simulations of three real-life scenarios, said Michael Holloway, director of recruitment and orientation. A North Mississippi Medical Center ambulance will arrive, and the students will see first-hand the need for and the role healthcare professionals play in the process. “It will be an impactful program,” Holloway said, “Our hope is that these students see the ‘real-life’ expertise used by the graduates of ICC’s programs.” Participating programs include students and faculty from Associate Degree Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Sciences, Health Information, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Public Health, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care and Surgical Technology. Dean of Health Science Instruction Tonya Vaughn said that this event will be an exceptional interprofessional education opportunity. “IEP is a new emphasis area in healthcare education. The goal of these efforts is to develop knowledge, ... ICC, Baptist College of Health Sciences sign articulation agreement An articulation agreement between the Baptist College of Health Sciences and Itawamba Community College will give students in ICC’s Public Health Technology program another transfer pathway. ICC President Dr. Jay Allen and Baptist College of Health Sciences President Dr. Betty Sue McGarvey signed the agreement at the ICC Tupelo Campus recently. “Baptist College is excited to partner with Itawamba Community College and its Public Health Technology program,” McGarvey said. “This articulation agreement allows ICC graduates to enroll in our new Population Health bachelor’s program. Population Health is an expanding field in the health care industry and is experiencing substantial job growth in the region. Baptist Memorial Health Care consists of 22 hospitals and 190 clinics. Several Baptist hospitals are in close proximity to Tupelo, including facilities in Booneville, Columbus, New Albany and Oxford. Baptist College desires to prepare these students to fill the upcoming needs in this field and help meet the Population Health job demands in our region.” “Itawamba Community College appreciates this significant partnership with the Baptist College of Health Sciences,” Allen said. “This agreement will provide a significant opportunity ... Comments are closed.