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.

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