The American River College Health and Wellness Center has taken a clever approach to informing ARC students about physical and mental health resources on campus. Inspired by a similar initiative at another California community college in December of 2023, the center created a monthly newsletter that highlights the many student health services offered. Titled the Stall News, due to its rather unconventional location on campus, this newsletter is printed and hung on the backs of stall doors and around mirrors in campus bathrooms, serving both as bathroom entertainment and a student resource.
The Stall News was created by ARC’s Director of Mental Health, Taylor Johnson, after a 2023 student survey conducted by the Health and Wellness Center revealed that 70% of ARC students wanted to use the free physical and mental health services that the center offered. However, 60% of students said they did not know where to find the Student Health and Wellness Center on campus
“We choose topics with the goal of having a meaningful impact on the safety and health of our community,” said Johnson via email. “Topics are selected based on student needs, seasonal trends and public health priorities. We focus on areas such as mental health, physical wellness, and available campus resources.”
Choosing a private setting and discreet, friendly designs helps to provide a level of privacy when exploring topics that can be sensitive to individuals. The newsletter further supports students by providing modest and inviting resources, such as scannable barcodes, personal exercises, and helpful health and wellness facts.
“Everyone uses the restroom,” Johnson says. “Restrooms allow us to reach a broad, captive audience in a space where students have a moment to pause and engage with information.”
In a recent satisfaction survey, the Health and Wellness Center found that about 30% of the students they serve learned about their services from another student or from signage such as the Stall News.
“The primary purpose of the Stall News is to increase awareness of student health and wellness resources, reduce barriers to accessing care, and provide students with approachable, easy-to-understand information that supports their overall well-being,” Johnson says.
The newsletter uses a new, inviting, and artistic design each month to connect the ARC Health and Wellness Center’s many free health resources to all students and helps students to live their healthiest and happiest lives.