GREENVILLE, N.C. — Staff at East Carolina University say mental health issues increased throughout the pandemic, whether because of isolation, physical health or personal reasons.
However, the campus living team at ECU is fighting back at their annual S.H.O.E.S. event—Students Honoring Others Everyday Struggles/Stories.
More than 350 pairs of shoes lined the sidewalks at ECU earlier this month. Each pair was attached to the story of a student struggling with mental health.
At ECU'S annual S.H.O.E.S. event, staff and student leaders spread encouragement and love through their community. Their message was to inspire hope with words. That's something student leader Yeilyn Barrientos is passionate about.
“So we'll [write kind notes] and really put them everywhere, so that you know, so we can spread the positivity,” Barrientos said.
Barrientos is a resident advisor, and she loves being a part of the S.H.O.E.S. Project. The program focuses on helping students with mental health challenges and allowing them to be heard by sharing their own stories.
“There's people out there going through either the same thing or a similar situation that you are,” Barrientos said. “It just kind of helps people know, 'hey, other people are going through this, and they are able to overcome this problem. So I'll be able to do it too.'”
Barrientos says she's struggled with anxiety in the past, so she understands how important it is to reach out for help. Each year, this event grows as more shoes are donated and more stories are told.
“The representation of the shoes is to really to show that students are not alone in what they're going through every single day,” said Bailey Steckbauer, the special projects coordinator for campus living.
Steckbauer helped start the program six years ago, but she says it's more important than ever to have resources for students.
“I think it also is so important to debunk that mental health stigma,” Steckbauer said. “There's a lot of stigma that surrounds mental health. It's more important than ever to talk about it because more people are facing it.”
Senior Leslie Martinez agrees and recognizes that as a resident advisor she has an obligation to help students through hard times.
“We do see a lot of residents struggling,” Martinez said. “And we're kind of that first line of people that deal kind of with those situations hands-on.”
While there are lots of resources available on campus, Martinez and Barrientos say a simple compliment can make all the difference.
“When I've been walking around, people have been talking about it. Like, 'oh, did you see the sticky notes around campus?'” Martinez said. “And so I think people are pretty empowered.”
The S.H.O.E.S. program is a reminder that if people want to learn and listen, there are people there for help and support.
“I've struggled you know,” Barrientos said. “So, I think it's also good to see people just trying to spread positivity because it makes me feel good as well. You know, I am loved as well. I'm worth it, and everybody is.”
In 2017, ECU's S.H.O.E.S. program was recognized as the program of the year by the National Association of College and University Residence Halls. RA's and staff are trying to keep up the good work. While this is a once per year event, resources are available to students with mental health challenges throughout the year.