In light of World Mental Health Day this Saturday, UNC is encouraging faculty to give students an extra day off on Friday, to allow for more time to rest and recharge.

In a letter to the campus community this past Thursday, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz announced that the university will be “pausing” instruction on Friday, October 9 to recognize World Mental Health Day the following day.

Guskiewicz said this pause will create a three-day weekend and allow students more time for self-care. Although the university’s compressed academic calendar may not allow faculty to provide students with a full day off, Guskiewicz offered up a few alternatives.

He said a pause in instruction could include changing a live lecture to a recorded one to be watched at a later date, postponing the due date of a paper or rescheduling a quiz. In his letter, Guskiewicz said that he and the rest of campus leadership quote “believe that faculty flexibility and compassion on this day, and throughout the semester, will support and facilitate better student mental health.”

The letter states that UNC faculty have the discretion to adjust individual class sessions, provided they make alternate arrangements to meet all learning objectives of the course. This might mean moving assignments, exams and quizzes from October 9 to another date.

The letter also lists a number of resources available to students to help navigate mental health concerns. These resources include UNC’s Counseling and Psychological Services, Campus Health and Campus Recreation.

“Taking care of our mental health is paramount during these extraordinary times,” Guskiewicz said. “We all must attend to all aspects of wellness, recognize the necessity for individuals to exercise agency when and where they can and encourage as much flexibility as possible. We encourage the Carolina Community to observe Oct. 9 as World Mental Health Day giving students, faculty and staff a day to take care of one’s own mental health.”

To read Guskiewicz’s letter regarding pausing instruction for World Mental Health day, click here.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Football Players Charged with Carrying Concealed Handgun, Speeding After Traffic Stop
UNC football player Keeyun Chapman was arrested for carrying a concealed handgun and teammate C.J. Sadler was cited for speeding during a traffic stop Tuesday night in Chapel Hill. The police report for Chapman’s arrest notes the traffic stop took place at 1050 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at 9:30 p.m. The charge against him […]
ACC Opponents Announced for UNC Football's 2027 Season
The ACC has announced the nine conference opponents for UNC’s 2027 football season. As part of the league’s scheduling model, 16 of the 17 league members will play nine ACC games, while only Clemson will play eight (the Tigers are scheduled to face Notre Dame in 2027). The structure ensures that every league member will […]
Carolina Hurricanes Star Seth Jarvis Partners with UNC Children's Hospital for Facility Dog Program
Carolina Hurricanes star and Stanley Cup champion Seth Jarvis has made a donation to UNC Children’s Hospital to support a new program close to his heart. The Paws & Heel UNC Children’s Facility Dog Program will bring specially trained dogs into the hospital as full-time care team members for pediatric patients. The dogs will work […]
UNC Men's Soccer Shuts Out American at Dorrance Field
A dominant UNC effort held visiting American without a single shot on target in a 2-0 win at Dorrance Field Tuesday night. Job done ☑️ UNC dominates American and comes away with three points to improve to 2-1-3! The Heels are back in action Saturday night when we host No. 21 Clemson at 7 pm. […]
UNC's Ryleigh Heck, Rece Verhoff Among Those Joining Indiana NCAA Lawsuit
UNC kicker Rece Verhoff and three former members of the field hockey team – including former All-American Ryleigh Heck – are joining a lawsuit against the NCAA out of the state of Indiana. The four players, as well as dozens of others from multiple sports who graduated high school in 2022, are seeking a fifth […]
2026 UNC Football Opponent Preview: Clemson
UNC will make a visit to Death Valley this Saturday to face Clemson at 12 p.m. The Tigers are 1-1 to start the 2026 season, with a blowout loss to Lane Kiffin and LSU in Week 1 and a low-scoring win against Georgia Southern at home last weekend. Leading the Tigers in his 19th season […]
100 Years of Kenan Stadium: Culture Shock
When Art Chansky moved from the northeast to Chapel Hill to attend UNC, he had to get used to a southern way of living.
On Air Today: Previewing Carolina Performing Arts' 2026-27 Season, with Alison Friedman
Alison Friedman of Carolina Performing Arts previews this year's season of events, including a February festival called "All. Together. Now."
‘A Blue-Collar Operation’: UNC Football Encouraged by Groundwork Laid vs. ETSU
Regardless of ETSU's FCS status, UNC says it's proud of the work it's done early in the season as it looks forward to Clemson.
This Week in UNC Sports: September 14-20, 2026
The upcoming week offers several high-caliber matchups for multiple UNC teams both at home and on the road.
›