Activities offered to students through Collegiate Recovery include health-focused activities such as yoga. (WVU Photo/Derek Artimez)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia University Collegiate Recovery Program is encouraging mental health and addiction recovery through National Collegiate Recovery Week.
According to the program’s website, the program’s goal is to “support students in this process, no matter what they are recovering from.” Resources like support groups, check-in groups, meditation, yoga, crafts, outdoor adventures, nutrition programs, and low-key social events like parties and tailgates.
This program will be held at Arnold House, Serenity Place. The location will serve as a drop-in center where students can find “a safe and supportive space to feel at home on campus.” This space includes a fully stocked kitchen, living and dining room, game room, study, yoga and meditation studio, patio and courtyard, and even a game room.
Marissa Mangione, a senior mental health and addictions studies major, spoke about how the program has helped her personally.
“College Recovery gave me a second home,” Mangione said. “This program taught me how to love myself, others, and the community that has given me so much.”
The program’s director, Olivia Pape, was inspired to support and build the program after struggling to find support during her own recovery experience.
“I couldn’t find any resources in the community, but through a series of Kismet events, I found a group led by Cathy Yura who was trying to start a college recovery program at the university,” Pape said. “I got involved with them.”
From April 15th to 19th, Collegiate Recovery will participate in National College Recovery Week. Activities, including naloxone training, pop-up tables, trivia, bingo, gardening and more, are free and open to everyone, no matter where they are in their recovery journey.
“We’re getting comfortable. We’re being careful. We’re opening up the space for people to come in and talk if they want,” Pape said. “These are all opportunities to build community and start conversations.”
A complete schedule of events for the week can be found here.
