Goal 3

Resilience Toolkit

Resilience is described as the ability to adapt positively to new experiences or challenges. Lynn's Resilience Toolkit — which was created as part of the university’s 2022 Quality Enhancement Plan — helps students adapt positively to new experiences or challenges in college settings and aids in their ability to establish a growth mindset through discovering new skills and coping strategies and applying behaviors like adaptability.

In the classroom, students benefit from a two-week, three-part resilience workshop within the DSS 100 course, Theories of Self. Students complete activities together and discuss topics including:

·       The physical and psychological effects of stress and anxiety.

·       The behaviors of resilient people.

·       Five coping strategies to cope with stressful situations.

Once students complete the DSS 100 course, they can apply the skills acquired in other aspects of their lives.

Outside of the classroom and across campus, first-year students take part in the Bouncing Back: Building Resilience program during Welcome Weekend, wherein students work together and individually on setting goals, learning how to step out of their comfort zones, discovering how to bounce back from challenges, and more.

After the program students can:

·       Identify components of resilience.

·       Articulate the benefits of resilience.

·       Recognize resilient behaviors.

·       Effectively create new coping strategies.

During AY 23–24, 854 students completed this program in the classroom, but a total of 4,160 students, faculty, and staff engaged with the Resilience Toolkit throughout the academic year as part of out-of-classroom events and initiatives held around campus. 

By building resilience in our students, we help further target 3.5 of SDG3, as resilience can prevent substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

Overall Well-Being

In AY 23–24, Lynn University opened the new Snyder Center for Health and Wellness. This 20,000-square-foot space homes Lynn University’s fitness, health, counseling, and wellness services. A one-stop shop for all health and wellness needs for students, faculty, and staff, the center includes state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a counseling center, and wellness services that range from first aid and general checkups to vaccinations, specialist referrals, and more.

By providing a space for integrated wellness, we help further target 3.8 of SDG3, as these services help achieve access to quality essential healthcare services and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

Mental health

Lynn University provides ongoing mental health support to students, faculty, and staff through various programs. These include counseling services, mental health wellness programs, and more.

For students

Programs for students include:

Student health programs

·       General health care and first aid

·       Vaccinations, lab draws, COVID-19 testing

·       Well women and physical exams

·       Health resources and referrals

Counseling services

·       Counseling

·       Groups

·       Medication

·       Personal growth and psychoeducation

Wellness and health promotion

·      Self-care, positive well-being, and healthy strategies to thrive

·       Student success, soft skill development, preventative education

·       Fitness center with spin studio, group classes, and yoga

·      Campus recreation with intramurals, club sports, tournaments, and field trips 

• For employees

Programs for employees include:

·       Mental health support through the Employee Assistance Program 

·       Custom-made wellness plans

·       Health coaching

·       Health and wellness annual fair

·       Health and wellness events

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)

Lynn University offers a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This program helps students develop skills that allow them to work with various clients in substance abuse treatment centers, community mental health agencies, and educational settings. The program partners with organizations at local and national levels, providing students with a wide variety of experiences throughout their academic careers. Students in the fieldwork phase of the clinical mental health counseling program commit to providing direct and indirect clinical services at a variety of site placements. Community partners host practicum and internship opportunities for students for one full year and several employ students post-graduation.

By providing mental health services and degrees, we help further target 3.4 of SDG 3, which in part focuses on promoting mental health and well-being.

Sexual and reproductive health

Lynn University provides services related to sexual and reproductive health, including information and education services. Wellness Educators offer in-class sessions on substance use awareness, healthy relationships, and emotional and physical wellness, which include diet and nutrition, as well as information on safe sex and sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, the Student Health department provides rapid testing for HIV, full-panel STD testing, and sexual health information sessions.

By engaging our students in sexual and reproductive health programs, we help further target 3.7 of SDG3, by ensuring access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including services for family planning, information, and education.

Smoking policy and cessation program

Since 2015, Lynn University has restricted smoking to designated areas across campus to reduce the exposure to tobacco smoke to as many students, faculty, and staff as possible. Moreover, the university is committed to supporting all employees and students who wish to stop using tobacco or nicotine products. Resources to help employees overcome tobacco or nicotine addiction are available through the Office of Employee Services. Information to assist students to overcome tobacco or nicotine addiction is available through the Health Center. The policy was updated in 2021.

By reducing exposure to tobacco products and providing support programs to quit tobacco or nicotine addiction, we help further target 3.a of SDG 3, which focuses on the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.