The Rejuvenation Room: On-Campus Mental Health Space

What Monique Did 
While away at a school in Indiana, in lockdown during COVID, Monique not only saw how other students were shutting down or becoming anxious on her campus, she experienced it herself. 

Unable to see friends and family, or go anywhere, depression was rampant on the campus. 

For her Gold Award Take Action project, Monique decided to explore a way to improve mental health on her school campus and lessen the stigmatization around needing help. 

Rejuvenate Space
She set up her room in the library where no one would question users for being there. 

Her goal was to position mental health in a more positive light on campus. Monique also wanted to provide students with the opportunity to unwind and prioritize their mental health. 

“With this space, students can give themselves a brain break, connect with others if they choose, and interact with trained faculty members,” she says.

According to Monique, it’s an accessible space for students to pay attention to their mental health needs without neglecting academic obligations.

The Rejuvenation Room will be continued to be managed by the school’s Wellness Committee. “The are the most fitting to manage the room throughout the school year because of how involved they are in promoting wellness, mental health, and student engagement on campus,” Monique says. 

What She Learned
Monique says that completing her Take Action project helped her discover new skills like good communication, determination and flexibility. She also discovered more about herself as a person and a leader in her community.

After diving deep into research about mental wellness in adolescents for this project, Monique was inspired and intrigued by the field of mental health. The project led her to take psychology classes and pick psychological sciences for her undergraduate program at the University of Michigan. 

Find Out More
Check out Monique on the GSSEM YouTube channel talking about her Take Action project and being a 2024 Gold Awards Girl Scout. 

Congratulations, Monique!