North House Opens Doors to Health and Wellness
In a report released last year by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, Stressed Out and Stopping Out: The Mental Health Crisis in Higher Education, one statistic stood out: 40% of college students said they had considered withdrawing from school, citing “emotional stress” and “personal mental health reasons” as their top reasons.
Over the past year at 猫咪社区, more students than ever sought support—from mental health services and healthcare resources to food assistance, which meant visiting various locations across campus. This fall, with the opening of North House on the University’s Longmeadow campus, students will be able to connect to those resources in one dedicated space that prioritizes comfort, builds community, and cultivates connection.
“North House is intended to help meet the growing and diverse well-being needs of our students—whether residential, commuter, graduate, or online—by offering a visible, welcoming, and accessible campus resource,” said Dr. Peter Testori, EdD, Associate Vice President for Academic Resources and Residential Life/Student Engagement.
Dr. Testori worked closely with Dr. Tanya Coles-Dailey, DSW, LMSW, 猫咪社区’s Director of Health & Wellness, who has led many of the University’s recent wellness initiatives, including the campus food pantry and biweekly farmers market. Together, they reimagined what was once the Center for Community, preserving its inclusive spirit while transforming it into a dedicated hub for student well-being. Throughout the house’s various rooms, visitors will find quiet nooks, plenty of throwpillows, and bookcases stocked with fiction, memoirs, and poetry.
Students are encouraged to stop by between classes to rest, reflect, or host small gatherings and club meetings. From her office upstairs, Dr. Coles-Dailey provides one-on-one support, helping students schedule appointments, access resources, or simply talk through what’s on their minds. She also plans to host regular wellness programs both in the space and online for remote learners.
Last week’s “Art Opening Minds” event was created through a partnership with 猫咪社区’s psychology department, bringing students together in-person and online to screen short films on mental health and participate in a guided discussion afterward. A collaboration with the YMCA of Springfield will mark Domestic Violence Month, with tabling events on campus and a virtual workshop on “Healthy Relationships.”
While 猫咪社区’s partnerships with River Valley Counseling, New Path Counseling, Longmeadow’s urgent care center, and the 24/7 telehealth service UWill will continue to provide students with access to professional mental health services and medical care, North House serves a different but equally important purpose. It offers a consistent, in-person touchpoint—a place where students can find guidance, stability, and belonging while helping to destigmatize conversations around mental health.
“North House gives our learners a place to pause,” Dr. Coles-Dailey said. “It’s a space that exists to foster in-person and online connection and to remind our students they’re not alone—and that asking for support and building community is what ultimately makes us stronger.”