MARIETTA, OHIO — On May 2, Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) held a Mental Health First Aid Training on campus for select faculty and staff. The session was led by local Licensed Professional Counselor Dr. Bill Bauer and featured guest speaker Cameron Craig, a competitive swimmer and Olympic hopeful from Springfield, Missouri, who shared his powerful journey of overcoming addiction and childhood trauma.
Attendees from various departments across campus engaged in interactive sessions focused on recognizing signs of mental health challenges, offering appropriate support, connecting individuals to resources, and building confidence in navigating tough conversations.
“As an open-access institution, Washington State College of Ohio is committed to meeting students where they are—academically and personally. Addressing trauma and addiction aligns with our mission to support every individual rewriting their story,” said Kathy Temple-Miller, Dean of Student Success at WSCO. “Through no-cost mental health services, holistic and basic needs support, and free tutoring, we help students heal, grow, and succeed,” continued Temple-Miller.
This training was funded by a grant from the Ohio Program for Campus Safety and Mental Health, which WSCO joined as a partner in February. The support from this partnership has made it possible to hold events such as Community Mental Health Day, organized on WSCO’s campus in cooperation with the nonprofit P.S. I Love You Day. “With strong community partnerships, like those seen in the recent P.S. I Love You event, we hope to deepen collaboration across Marietta and the region. Together, we can create a culture of care where every student feels seen, supported, and equipped to help others,” shared Temple-Miller.
Temple-Miller emphasized that WSCO’s smaller campus environment fosters a more supportive and approachable atmosphere for students seeking mental health assistance. “At Washington State College of Ohio, our small class sizes create space for deep, meaningful connections between students and faculty. This close-knit environment allows instructors—and our dedicated student success coaches—to recognize when a student is struggling and step in early,” shared Temple-Miller. “What truly sets WSCO apart is that everyone on campus, from the facilities team to the faculty, plays a role in supporting our students—walking beside them through their darkest days and celebrating their milestones,” continued Temple-Miller.
The immersive training equipped participants with greater knowledge of mental health safety and increased their confidence in supporting individuals in need. Each participant also earned an Adult Mental Health First Aid certification from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, further solidifying their preparedness to respond to mental health challenges.
WSCO is confident that this experience will foster a positive impact across campus and inspire more training like this. “Students often open up to a peer before seeking professional help, which is why expanding mental health programming at WSCO includes a vision for offering Mental Health First Aid training directly to students. We know it takes an entire campus—and that includes empowering students themselves—to support mental well-being,” said Temple-Miller.
