By Dwayne Gibbs on Monday, 9 May, 2022 at 10:15 PM

With examinations imminent the Barbados Community College Guild is pushing ahead with a week of activities surrounding mental health for the first time ever.

Guild President Charlene Forde told the BCC Wallpaper that the week put on by the guild in collaboration with the counseling and placement center and the student health clinic is very critical at such a time.

“The guild has acknowledged that it is very important for students to keep their mental well-being intact because  within the COVID-19 pandemic there was a lot of mental strain and other mental challenges especially now that the students have gone into a virtual classroom,” she said.

Forde encouraged all students and staff to come out for the week prioritizing mental health.

While the Students’ Welfare and Education Officer and U-Ambassador Javier Knight said that U-report is producing a positive influence challenge for the week of mental health.

“We are encouraging students to come out and sign up for U-report and take the mental health poll created specifically for mental health week. If a student messages BCC to a U-report number they can take that poll for us to gauge students' thoughts on mental health as it relates to college life,” he said. 

While student guild treasurer Danielle King called the past week a great initiative as she hopes the guild can help out students with the partnerships being offered.

“Come out-we’ve put so much thought and love into doing this-relax. When people think of college they think of school work and exams but this is a chance to relax and destress and have some fun,” she added.

The week of activities will include different challenges and competitions where students  can win a new ChromeBook, participate in an online treasure hunt and make purchases in ongoing bake sales.