Riverside City College Nursing Students Promote Mental Health and Harm Reduction on Campus

Dec 17, 2024
Back of nursing student in a classroom

Riverside City College (RCC) School of Nursing (SON) students, in collaboration with RCC Student Health Services, have successfully hosted the Mental Health Hygiene Booth this Fall. The initiative has served as a platform for health education, providing students with valuable resources and tools to support mental wellness and harm reduction.

The Mental Health Hygiene Booth has been a familiar sight on campus, with students often engaging their peers through interactive demonstrations that feature manikins and hands-on learning. The health education topics covered included stress management, breathing and relaxation techniques, and the critical link between nutrition and mental wellness.

The program's cumulative impact for Fall 2024 highlights the significant contributions of RCC SON students and the Student Health Services team:

  • 827 doses of Narcan distributed

  • 1,235 fentanyl test strips provided

  • 883 xylazine test strips supplied

  • 100 GHB/ketamine drink-spiking test strips shared

  • 40 beverage safety covers distributed

  • 149 students newly trained in harm reduction, opioid awareness, and Narcan administration

The collaborative outreach included in-office health services, department outreach tabling, department presentations, and targeted engagement with RCC’s Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) and Registered Nursing (RN) programs.

The program concluded its community booth efforts with the School of Nursing last week, solidifying RCC’s commitment to promoting student health, wellness, and safety.

“The collaboration between the School of Nursing and Student Health Services empowers students with life-saving resources and tools to prioritize mental health and harm reduction,” said Renee Martin-Thornton, Director Student Health and Psychological Services. “This initiative not only educates our campus community but also prepares our nursing students to lead critical health education efforts.”

Through ongoing education and distribution of essential harm reduction tools, RCC continues to foster a safe and supportive campus environment. The success of the Mental Health Hygiene Booth reflects RCC’s proactive approach to student well-being and community health.