A year ago, Pastor Emily Tveite wrote about the changing needs of campus ministry in the aftermath of the pandemic. From an increase in requests for one-on-one meetings to a wide range of grief around meaningful connections and missed milestones, the pandemic’s impact on college students continued as we wrapped up the 2022-2023 academic year. We witnessed this most acutely during the spring semester when the campus community grappled with back-to-back student suicides, now the second-leading cause of death among college students according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Daily, we hear students describe stressors beyond the normal pace of academic work and young adulthood. Many are also grappling with anxiety, finances, food, housing security, and establishing deep friendships in an increasingly isolated world. In a study conducted in 2021 by Boston University, nearly two-thirds of college students identified feelings of loneliness. Just this spring, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on addressing “the epidemic of loneliness” in the U.S.
We are upfront at LCM that we are not a substitute for seeking mental health resources. However, campus ministry has much to offer in alleviating some of the distress caused by isolation. The heart of our work has always been about creating community and belonging, two paths to reducing loneliness.
Last semester we implemented a crafting component to our coffee hour. Research shows that creatively working with our hands has a positive impact on depression and negative emotions. Coupled with intentional time for community building, the students were laughing and engaging with each other while working with clay, fiber, and paint.
Meanwhile, our weekly Evening Prayer and dinner continues to see a consistently strong attendance by students we’ve come to know well during their short time with us. As always, hospitality remains an important part of our ministry, going beyond free coffee and food to a deeper sense of welcome and belonging.
LCM’s ministry has been a vital element for many generations of college students, and while our specific programs have changed and adapted to meet the challenges of this newest generation, our vision to accompany students with hope remains at the center of our ministry.
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