Habitat for Humanity. Psychology Club. Philosophy Club. Writer's Union. Amnesty International. Best Buddies. Knitting Club. Hillel. Mixed Martial Arts. Relay for Life. WIGS. TanGo. Black Student Union.
What do all of these clubs have in common? First things first, they are all clubs at my school, Washington College. Second of all, they all provide an interest to students.
But only one of the clubs listed, TanGo, can actually benefit students in the group. The group is aimed towards creating a safe space and providing resources towards trans and other non-conforming students on campus. Of course, the college also has another group called EROS, Encouraging Respect of Sexuality, which promotes the growth of community among students of all sexual orientations and lifestyles. Both of these clubs are aimed towards a specific group of people who have trouble being accepted in society because of their orientation and the school understands that they need a safe space to get together and talk.
But Washington College does not have any clubs for people struggling with mental illnesses and eating disorders. But someone might ask why WAC should provide a club for those people.
And I have a response to that question.
Mental illnesses are largely stigmatized. For those people who suffer from mental illnesses, they could be scared to admit it for a long time because they don't want people looking at them differently. This is a major reason on why some schools may not want to have clubs for those people.
I have symptoms that align with the symptoms of an eating disorder and a mental illness.
I believe that my college should provide a club for people, like me, in order to get support from our peers who could or may have similar symptoms. If they have clubs for people who are transsexual, bisexual, or gay, then they should provide a safe space for people with mental illnesses.
People with mental illnesses could be afraid to speak out in order to get help, and having a safe space on campus grounds could help them tremendously by having them realize that they are not alone.
If the school is so willing to provide help, such as therapists for students, shouldn't they also create safe spaces for them too?
