Stressbusters aims to minimize student stress

The program is set to begin in the spring.

By Kaylen Ralph

Published Sept. 11, 2009

Stress, according to the National College Health Assessment survey conducted by the Student Health Center, is what most affects students' academic performance. SHC has found stress to be the biggest factor since it began conducting the survey in 2000.

In the light of these findings, the Health Promotion Department at the health center began implementing a series of programs designed to decrease stress.

"We are in the process of developing a comprehensive approach to offer students evidenced-based, cost effective interventions to help them cope with stress," Health Promotion Coordinator Terry Wilson said. "We are looking for ways to help students reduce stress and provide a student development leadership opportunity to build their resumes."

Wilson said Stressbusters could achieve both of these goals.

Stressbusters are student volunteers who receive training to become wellness coaches and backrub providers. This team of volunteers is asked to provide their services at certain school events promoting stress reduction. In addition to training in backrub techniques, student volunteers also receive training concerning how to talk about wellness issues with those they are assisting, Stressbusters founder Jordan Friedman said.

The program has already been implemented at many East Coast schools, such as Columbia University, Harvard University and New York University. NYU installed the program in spring 2008 and has received positive feedback from students thus far. NYU Health Promotion Office Manager Courtney Stein said the program reduced stress rates among students who utilized it. He said the "Just-Busted Wall" present at Stressbuster events is evidence of this.

The wall is a large sheet where participants can give their feedback about the program.

"They have certainly told us they feel better and have less stress after events," Stein said. "We know from previous studies that backrubs reduce blood pressure, anxiety, heart rate and even depression."

NYU plans to formally evaluate the program this fall. The school's Health Promotion Office will look at the physical and emotional impact of the service, the demographics of participants and the role the program has played in connecting students with support resources and participant satisfaction.

Friedman said all schools that have the program at their institutions would have the opportunity to go through this evaluation process in the near future.

Friedman was at MU on Thursday to tour the school and speak with Wilson about customizing Stressbusters to best fit MU. The Stressbusters program has a set of standard programs, but Friedman said every campus is different and therefore customization is welcomed and necessary.

Wilson said the program would be up and running for the spring semester.

Each year, SHC allocates some of its budget to stress reduction programs.

This year money was put toward Stressbusters. The full training of volunteers, program installation, formal evaluation, marketing products and ongoing support, cost $15,000. But this is a one-time cost for a program Clinic Manager Ann Nadler describes as self-perpetuating.

Sophomore Valerie Young signed up to be a potential Stressbuster at the Fall Resource Fair. She said the cost of the program would most likely be worth it.

"They said they would be doing a trial period first and I would want to see how it works out before I'd say if it was worth it," Young said.