By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Coppin State University (CSU) students react to the new SheCare Wellness Pods, introduced in partnership with the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation and Kate Spade New York on May 2. The pods were conceptualized by renowned actress Taraji P. Henson, who created the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation and attended the unveiling at CSU.
The SheCare Wellness Pods initiative aims to assist around 25,000 Black women at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) with mental health support. The pods provide a free, safe and nurturing environment for students to prioritize their mental health through mental health therapy sessions tailored to women, quiet spaces, guided yoga sessions and more.
“Black women continue to face significant disparities in mental health, from unequal access and lower quality of care, to the overwhelming burden of psychosocial stress and the social determinants of health that impact both physical and mental well being,” said Aniah Brewer, a senior social work major and Maxie Collier Scholar at CSU. “They represent an intentional commitment to equity, healing and empowerment.”
CSU repurposed an indoor space to create the first indoor wellness pod of this initiative. Coppin joins three other HBCUs in this initiative: Alabama State University, Bennett College and Hampton University.
“By offering equitable access to care right here on campus, we are removing barriers that have stood in the way for far too long,” said Brewer. “These wellness pods will help normalize conversations around mental health, provide culturally responsive support and encourage students to prioritize their emotional well-being without fear of stigmatization, because joy is our birthright.”
Brittany Thompson, a CSU health science major, and Katelyn Lemon, a biology major, shared their reactions to the new wellness pods.
“This is going to be good for the students on campus,” said Thompson, 18. “It is stressful being on campus, going to class and making sure your grades are up to par every day.”
Lemon and Thompson, both members of the CSU freshman class, said they are ready to check it out and encouraged others on campus not to “knock it” until they try it.
“It will be nice to have a space where I can relax outside the dorms,” said Lemon. “I’m at school for three to four hours, at work for eight hours and I am on my feet all day.”
Lemon, who comes from a family of Coppin alumni, said she’s proud of what’s happening at CSU.
“I think it’s an exciting, innovative pathway that Coppin is on,” said Lemon, 19. “We started as a smaller HBCU in one building, and then it developed all across North Avenue. It’s pretty cool to see the growth.”