TCC Talon Thoughts is a segment where students talk about their experiences as students at TCC. TCC Talon Thoughts gives students and faculty a space to express their thoughts and experiences and spread awareness about any topic. Frank Brown Jr., a TCC student and administrator in TCC Veterans Success Center, wants to encourage students to engage in using their resources on campus.
How would you compare your mental health as a child to when you were an adolescent and adult?
Frank Brown Jr.: As a child, curious. It was good as an adolescent, anxious perhaps overconfident at times, and as an adult, balanced… so it helped me to be able to cope with things that I wasn’t able to, because I couldn’t articulate problems back then. I just knew something was wrong and I didn’t know what it was, how to reach out, or what I needed.
Are you familiar with the mental health services that TCC provides?
FBJ: Um, yes, I am. I know that there’s… an entire counseling center that they have set aside for us. I don’t know how many students know about it, but I think that it’s a great… service because it allows those who are experiencing weather, overwhelm or anxiety about classes or fear depression.
How have you benefited from TCC’s services during the COVID-19 pandemic?
FBJ: I think their ability to adapt to the times was very important. So rather than shutting everything down and throw their hands up, they created a bunch of resources for students to be able to still succeed. Whether it be like the COVID Relief Fund, or you know, at the cafeteria when they were reducing prices, so people that didn’t have the opportunities to work as much as they used to were able to still afford… good meals… And even that comes to me as well. It was very beneficial.
What are your thoughts about TCC’s newest mental health tracker, the WellTrack App?
Yeah, I’m excited about every piece of technology. Every bit of me… I’m excited about every single resource that the school is putting forth for students, because a lot of us are the older folks where we do well face-to-face or phone contact. But now in this generation people will spend more time on their phones and devices. So for somebody to be able to log on and get the help they need, I think that’s phenomenal.
What recommendations would you give to other TCC students and staff who are looking to improve their mental health?
Um, understand that, you’re not in this alone. The most important thing that you can do is build a community whether it be virtual or it’s in person…When stress and any other mental condition starts to overwhelm you, so I just recommend using your resources. Taking part in your community. There are so many student organizations from pretty much every walk of life; from gamers to international students; from veterans to students of color; to where you can find yourself a community and to be able to engage and help each other through this together.
