It’s winter again, your happiest seasons have passed. The snow piles up on your window and everything has frozen over. You lose your mind and sit there scrolling. Reeling in who you think you should be, but you don’t know. Hell, you don’t think you ever will. Are you capable of looking outside yourself, outside of the battle in your skull?
Read MoreRecently in California, a 15-year-old autistic boy was shot and killed by police. Police responded to a call about the boy, and when they arrived the boy charged them with a gardening tool. The officer did not attempt to use any other technique to destress the situation, and instead shot and killed the boy. Incidents like this are not scarce and they are exactly why officers need to be trained on neurotypical behavior, mental illness, and disabilities. Our officers also need to be taught not to reach for their guns unless absolutely necessary. Despite years of discussion, we still see police killing innocent people instead of using other techniques to better the situation. As in this case, a 15-year-old boy should not have lost his life, but who should’ve been cared for and potentially brought to the ground if deemed dangerous.
Read MoreAs a member of Gen Z myself, I’ve always been interested in examining the varying differences between our generation and those that precede us. The most common narrative I find associated with our generation is one of unabashed, outspoken, changemakers. For the most part, that holds true. Gen Z falls nowhere short of being one of the most vocal and engaged generations. However, beyond the smoke and mirrors is a veil of angst and worry.
Read MoreOn October 5, Regis held a student summit, a meeting between students and administration that had the overarching goal of connecting the two. Despite its initial goals, emotions bubbled over as students shared meaningful questions that we, as a student body, want answers to. During the hour that was set aside for student questions, a lot was brought up, but a few main themes emerged. Questions around the Title IX office were common, as there seemed to be confusion around the way in which they have handled cases in the past. Other offices were also brought up, such as VAVP (Victim Advocacy and Violence Prevention) which has puzzlement surrounding its association with the community, and the CARE (Crisis Assessment Risk Evaluation) office, which deals with disciplinary action. This confusion around accessible resources is yet another recurring theme that persisted throughout the discussion. One such instance of this is how students don't know who the administrators are and what their roles on campus are, which has resulted in a lack of trust between the students and the administration. This also extends into students not knowing what our mental health resources are, with the looming memory of COVID-19 in our peripheral. This resource should be accessible to all students even as COVID-19 begins to wind down, mental health should remain a priority for our campus.
Other subjects that students brought up, on a number of occasions, were campus security and the lack of support that commuter students receive. In the case of campus security, there were inquiries surrounding how long the response time is when they are called, along with one student calling for them to be armed. These claims came partially as a result of the recent threat on campus from earlier this month when the student body received an alert from campus security that there were potentially two armed individuals on campus. This threat seemed to have really resonated with students, as many had reason to be panicked and were forced to hide in less-than-ideal locations. Commuter students were also present at the summit and made it known that it is difficult for them to be involved and feel a part of campus life. This was brought up with the hope that the administration can figure out some ways to make commuter students feel more at home while on campus.
Despite all that was mentioned in this article, a few bright spots emerged from the discussion. For one, a line of communication has now been established between the student body and the administration. This will play a vital role in hopefully getting things done that are important to students not only now but in the future. Secondly, it seems that students are fond of the faculty and the relationships that they have built with them inside and outside the classroom. This also came along with high praise for certain administrators, such as Dave Law, who was met with cheers when he was introduced. Nevertheless, student concerns extend beyond just the meeting, and they are curious about what a follow-up could look like and what form it could potentially take as it has much uncertainty surrounding it. Students are now looking forward to seeing the results of the summit and to observing what changes may arise on campus now that their voices have been heard.
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Editor’s Note: There appeared to be a collective sense of frustration with the current status of Regis’ affairs, and a notable fear and worry of concerns going unheard. To those with unresolved feelings, things to say about what transpired, or those wanting an avenue for your voice to be heard, I encourage you to pursue a couple channels at your disposal. For one, The Highlander always welcomes student submissions, in whatever format you prefer to use, whether that be written, visual, or somewhere in between. Further, RUSGA has made it a priority this year to make everyone’s voice heard, especially our president, Madelaine Johnson.
Contact Information:
Editor in Chief, Morgan Jacobus: mjacobus001@regis.edu
Student Body President, Madelaine Johnson: mjohnson048@regis.edu
I am sure all of us animal-lovers wished our pets could be with us 24/7 at some point in our lives. Perhaps it was because we were lonely or were feeling homesick. Maybe it was due to undiagnosed anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Or maybe we simply loved our pets as if they were our children and wanted them to be with us. But, in the back of our minds, we begrudgingly accepted that this was an unrealistic expectation of our pets, and a misinterpretation of the comfort of those around us. We understood that keeping an animal with us was inconvenient and a lot of work. However, we still secretly wished we could keep our pets with us, no questions asked. Well now, we can.
The National Service Animal Registry is a for-profit organization that allows pet owners to register their pets, no matter the animal, as certified Emotional Support Animals. Due to the crippling stigma around mental health, Emotional Support Animals were originally undermined if not dismissed entirely. In generations past, physical illnesses were seen as more severe and debilitating than mental illnesses. However, Generation Z has challenged this theory using social media platforms to recognize their own mental illnesses, and advocate for accessible mental health services.
In 2011, the National Service Animal Registry reported 2,400 emotional support animals in its registry. As of 2019, it reports over 200,000 animals registered. In the fight for mental health awareness, Generation Z has brought the validity of emotional support animals and their benefits to the forefront of discussion. However, critics argue that emotional support animals devalue the status of certified service animals and believe that such easy access to ESA certification leads to pet owners taking advantage of this process and using certification as an excuse to keep their animals with them in all situations.
Officially, an emotional support animal is defined as an animal that provides relief to individuals with psychiatric disability through companionship. ESAs can be an animal of any kind, and do not require any specific training or receive an official certification that verifies their abilities. Qualifying for an emotional support animal requires a person to have a diagnosed emotional, mental, or psychological condition, such as anxiety, depression, panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, or other paranoias. ESA owners are typically asked to possess a doctor-provided ESA letter as documentation. Only a licensed professional can provide you with an official “prescription” for an emotional support animal, but the process is easily accessible and reasonably inexpensive with most ESA letters priced at around $100 to $200.
In comparison, certified service animals are defined as a dog that is individually trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a physical or mental disability. In some circumstances, a miniature horse who is individually trained also qualifies as a service animal. A service animal may be paired with a person with visual impairment, seizure disorder, hearing loss, mobility challenges, diabetes, and other conditions. Service dogs participate in strict training that enables them to help their owners function daily, including completing tasks and alerting them to potential oncoming emotional or physical episodes. To be considered a service animal, training and certification must be achieved. This training ensures that they can serve the medical needs of their owner on a consistent basis.
The main difference between ESAs and certified service animals is their level of recognition in the Americans with Disabilities Act or, the ADA. The ADA is a law that prevents any form of discrimination against disabled persons in various aspects of public life, including education, transportation, employment, and housing. The ADA makes provisions for certified service dogs, allowing them in public places, but because emotional support animals are categorized separately from service animals, they are not granted the same level of coverage. However, ESAs are covered by The Fair Housing Act which requires property owners and landlords to make a fair attempt to allow ESAs, regardless of “no pet” policies, as well as possible protection from pet rent and other additional housing charges because the law makes a clear distinction from regular “pets” and ESAs.
Due to the surge in registered ESAs, certified service animals are often discredited and underappreciated. For example, the Air Carrier Access Act is a law that gives airlines wide latitude over how various creatures are handled in the aircraft, and until January of 2021, it allowed ESAs to accompany their owners in the aircraft cabin. However, due to public incidents involving ESAs bothering fellow passengers, airlines such as United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have banned ESAs from traveling in the aircraft cabin and instead requiring them to travel in the cargo hold, where luggage and freight is packed.
In the United States, service dogs were not legally recognized until the ADA was passed in 1990. The ADA defines a service dog as any guide dog, signal dog or other animals individually trained to aid a person with a disability. Because of the long overdue passing of this law, service dogs have earned the right to be considered mandatory companions for their owners with their specific disabilities correlating with their dogs specific training. Service dogs require more funding and support than ESAs because of the varying needs their owners have. To a lot of service dog owners, ESAs are a way to cheat the system. However, ESA supporters advocate for their rights and their desire to keep their animals with them whenever they deem necessary.
This is a complex argument. When a person suffers a seizure, they need immediate medical attention, which in some cases, can be provided by a trained service dog. However, the same could be said for someone suffering a crippling anxiety attack or a manic episode due to a mental health crisis. They may need immediate attention and support from their ESA as well. Many questions are raised in the debate over ESA rights and service animal requirements. Why should those with personal ailments be discredited based on an internal, mental illness? How are physical illnesses recognized as more important, or more deadly? Why has the stigma of mental illness carried on into the justification of the need for ESAs and why are they not given the same rights that certified service animals are? Should ESAs be required to receive the same level of training as certified service animals in order to be covered by law and protected by the ADA?
Personally, I believe in the validity of ESAs. As someone who struggles with mental illnesses myself, I understand how powerful the presence of a trusted and beloved companion can be. I recognize that both mental illnesses and physical illnesses are their own entity, and should be valued equally, despite what part of the person they impact. I see the need for support from animals and how emotionally impactful they can be on humans.
However, I also see why advocates for certified service animals are against ESAs. I think that the bias of ESAs and the belief that they are cheating the system is due to the easy access to ESA certification. As a result of the magic of the internet, ESAs can be certified by a pet owner without ever showing the company the animal. I do not think ESAs should be granted certification with such little restrictions and with little to no actual connection between the pet owners and the companies providing ESA certification. I also think that ESAs should be required to complete a small amount of basic training, making them behaved, pleasant creatures to be around. ESAs should have enough manners and discipline that they do not negatively impact those around them, giving them more access to more public places and improving the situation for the owner, the animal, and the audience around them.
On March 25, Regis’s chapter of Active Minds hosted a Mental Health Summit to provide students with insight and resources into mental health struggles on campus. As part of this event, several speakers came to share their insights on mental health advocacy, one of whom was Abraham Sculley, a speaker and author who focuses on the stigma and resources surrounding mental illness. Here are some thoughts he shared about his mental health journey and his experiences on Regis’s campus.
Can you explain what you talked about at Regis University?
My presentation focused on suicide prevention and how students can support their peers who may be in crisis. I also shared my personal experience battling with depression and the journey I have been on to overcome stigma and prioritize my mental health. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 15-44 in Colorado. However, statistics show that 67% of young adults will first tell a friend they are feeling suicidal before telling anyone else. As I shared in my presentation, suicide prevention starts with identifying the warning signs and then being courageous enough to ask, "are you thinking about suicide?"
As a speaker focusing on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, what did you think about this event on campus?
Across the country, students are asking for mental health support, whether it is increased access to counseling support or safe spaces for conversations about mental health. When institutions make an effort to put on events like this, it shows that the administration is interested in setting their students up for success. That makes me happy. What I know to be true is that success has everything to do with supporting the whole student. Academic achievement doesn't come when the focus is solely on academics. Instead, it happens when the approach to student support is holistic.
How often do you speak at events like these? What was unique about your experience at Regis?
I speak on campuses at least twice a month. COVID-19 has expanded our ability to reach students who are not able to attend an event like this in-person, so I've had plenty of opportunities to connect with students virtually. The difference between other campuses and my experience at Regis is that I saw a hunger and passion from students to advocate for themselves and support their peers. I received thoughtful questions from students that allowed me to see that Regis is going in the right direction when it comes to advocating for mental health and general awareness on campus.
What is it like doing presentations about mental health and suicide prevention, especially when sharing your own personal experiences with others?
I understand that it requires a level of vulnerability to stand in front of people sharing my journey through mental health recovery. It is not easy to talk about suicide, but it is necessary. When we are bold enough to share our stories and have honest conversations about the challenges students are experiencing, then it makes a lasting impact on those who listen. I love advocating, especially for those suffering in silence. I've been speaking since 2016, and it never gets old to connect with others in a meaningful way.
Do you have any advice for students interested in learning more about these topics or even pursuing a similar path?
Yes, I would advise them to get involved with their Active Minds chapter on campus. I also have a podcast, Unlearn The Lies. On the show, I share tools and education necessary to unlearn the lies about mental health and embrace the truth about what it means to be human. Another great resource to learn more about mental health, mental illness, and how students can support their mental health and their peers is Active Minds, at activeminds.org. For students interested in mental health advocacy and pursuing a similar path, I would invite them to apply to join my team at Speaks 2 Inspire (speaks2inspire.com) the mental health solution for young adults suffering in silence, as an intern. We are eager to partner with others passionate about our mission to eradicate mental health stigma.
Is there anything else that you'd like to add or share?
I'd like to remind students that you don't have to be an expert to help a friend struggling with their mental health. The willingness to listen is a powerful tool and can save lives. Also, I'd love to connect with students on social media! My Instagram handle is @abrahamsculley.
To get informed about events like this and stay up to date on what Active Minds is doing on campus, you can follow them @activeminds_regis on Instagram!