For UCLA students, keeping their mind on their money could prove costly.
The Undergraduate Students Association Council’s Financial Supports Commission office just introduced the Financial Wellness Program, an administrator-led program aiming to address students’ financial literacy, mental health and advocacy through workshops, coaching and online educational efforts.
Over the past year, USAC’s FSC office successfully lobbied for an administrative position that will help bridge the gap between students and administrators in regards to their financial well-being. Sara Potter was introduced last week as the administrator and is working with students to create a financial wellness program addressing issues of financial literacy, mental health and advocacy.
Although the program has just launched within the last few weeks, it is essential to make adjustments in order to assure that all three promised components are addressed. While this program has shown its strength in addressing financial literacy, such as in a workshop this past Bruin Day regarding how to fund your UCLA education, and has created an outlet for student voices to be heard through the support of an administrator, mental health seems to be the lesser of the three topics addressed throughout the program.
Establishing Potter’s position has addressed the issue of sustainability of beneficial programs. Student government elections are coming up, but regardless of the upcoming platforms, Potter works separately from the FSC office and will continue with past programming. It would be beneficial for Potter to direct more focus on mental health awareness and maintain consistency with these programs.
Through the Financial Wellness Program’s workshops and online education, the program’s goal towards financial literacy is clearly explained, but the program should strengthen its attempts to bring the topic of mental health into discussion when talking about affordability and accessibility.
The FSC is focused around financial instability and accessibility, addressing the concerns of students who struggle to live on their given budget. Those stresses in life are inevitably intertwined with mental health. By including workshops revolving around the effects of financial instability on mental health, the Financial Wellness Program would be fulfilling its initiative.
The Financial Wellness Program should have events centered on mental health by educating students on the connection between accessibility and affordability to stress and depression, and overall provide resources to help address this issue, such as UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services and scholarships. By incorporating both the cause and effect, the Financial Wellness Program would be fulfilling its motives.
UCLA CAPS is a great resource for mental health. It has workshops and therapy groups that provide students with resources aimed to better mental health. Adding a therapy group regarding students suffering from financial-related stress would be a great way for the Financial Wellness Program to incorporate mental health awareness. Also, adding online resources for financial stress, such as the resources it has for mindfulness and screenings, would further benefit students struggling with this issue.
Over the past year, Financial Supports Commissioner Heather Rosen and her office have advocated for mental health awareness by drawing attention to the mental health issues instigated by financial instability. FSC hosted a workshop during the All of Us mental health awareness campaign titled, “No Need to $tress.” Although the effort is noted, it should be further expanded into the Financial Wellness Program. It is important to address all components stated in its mission, including mental health.
It is crucial to establish this mental health awareness programming within the Financial Wellness Program because Potter can ensure the continuity of the programs. Mental health issues will continue to remain on campus, and awareness and resources are essential to lessen and prevent the growth of the issue. This will set a good precedent for mental health awareness in the FSC office and upcoming platforms.
As elections approach, it is important to take into consideration what is valued in the FSC office and how those values will be continued next year.
The relation between financial issues and mental health issues has a strong presence on college campuses, and to address these issues is essential. Potter’s Financial Wellness Program needs to greater emphasize mental health awareness for the upcoming years, and ensure its continuity.