At Ohio University, a new student organization is providing a safe space for women’s mental health. Women’s Mental Health Club provides women on campus with a community to connect and grow together.
The organization gives support and friendship in a space where women can come together. WMHC provides mental health resources valuable to women to empower them to come together and decrease the stigma around women’s mental health.
WMHC was founded last semester by Emma Chapman, Liz Max, Pearl Harris, Morgan Hoog and Kazia Bethel. The idea behind WMHC was to create a low stress club and an outlet for women to share the struggles in navigating college life.
Chapman, a junior studying psychology pre-med, is president of the organization.
“I would say our mission is to help other women in college kind of create some sort of community without it being super overwhelming or seem like a big responsibility,” Chapman said. “I know when I started college it was really difficult to make friends, and it didn’t seem like everybody else was going through what I was going through.”
“It’s a great opportunity to meet people that are probably in your own position if you’re considering joining a mental health club or considering joining any club on campus,” Chapman said. “It’s super low stakes, and it’s a fun opportunity to explore opportunities on campus. We are also working towards volunteer activities that help women in the community.”
WMHC meetings feature a mix of mental health resources and fun activities to de-stress. Hoog, a junior studying marketing and business analytics at OU, serves as secretary and event coordinator for WMHC. Hoog said the environment of the meetings is low stress and a fun activity is provided for students.
“We want them to be able to get out of studying and have a fun thing to do in the middle of the week where they can make new friends, talk to people and kind of de-stress their mind in the middle of the week,” Hoog said.
Hoog looks forward to meetings, and said it means a lot to her to see members show up every week.
“My favorite part is definitely seeing how many girls show up each week, and just hearing them during the meeting talk about how fun it is,” Hoog said. “I’ve heard a few of our members even go out of their way to tell us they look forward to it each week which just means the world because that’s the entire point of the club.”
For members, the club provides a space to get away from the stressful week. The executive board looks forward to seeing the organization grow.
Max, a junior studying art therapy and psychology, is vice president and oversees the organization’s social media. Max said the club is always welcoming anyone interested in getting involved.
Max said they plan on trying different meeting times and days to accommodate more women on campus. Max said the organization understand some women are busy with other responsibilities and meetings and the WMHC aims to include those who can’t make it on Wednesdays.
“I think this is what’s helped a lot of people is knowing that they can message or email us on Instagram or GroupMe or anywhere,” Max said. “Even Emma, me, Morgan or Kazia, asking more in depth about the club if they are really looking to get more interested in it. We are always looking for more people, all the time. Everyone is welcome.”
The organization provides women on campus with resources, creating a low commitment space welcoming all women looking for support. WMHC meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Gordy Hall 111. Updates about future meetings can be found on their Instagram, @ou_wmhc
