Talking mental health — Technician 09/12/24

TECHNICIAN

WEATHER

Mental Health Ambassadors work to support students, destigmatize mental health

The Mental Health Ambassadors are a group of students who work to inform the student body about mental health resources on campus, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and provide an opportunity for students to learn how they can provide support to their peers.

Reagan Griffin, a fourth-year studying social work, has been a mental health ambassador for three and a half years and said she joined the program because it spoke to her passion of destigmatizing mental health and also allowed her to build connections with her peers.

“For me personally, it was an opportunity to advocate for myself as someone that has had mental health struggles and experiences,” Griffin said. “It was a platform that I was able to use to connect with the student body in a way that may be difficult to — mental health does have this stigma around it. So as a mental health ambassador, I’ve been able to work to destigmatize that.”

Christy Sigmon, a mental health ambassador supervisor and Outreach and Resiliency Specialist at Prevention Services, said one of the main goals of the program is for students to feel comfortable and knowledgeable when it comes to mental health resources on campus.

“I want our students to know that at any given time, any human could need support and need assistance,” Sigmon said. “And reaching out for that is something that we want to help our students know is something that they not only know is okay to do, but they know how to do it and where to reach out for support.”

One way students can receive support is through the CARES referral process. Students are encouraged to submit a referral online whether they are concerned about a fellow student or even if they themselves are seeking help but are unsure what resources are available.

After a referral, Prevention Services has a team of certified mental health professionals and social workers who can work with students

depending on their needs.

The Mental Health Ambassadors work to make sure students know what options are available while also destigmatizing the referral process and informing students that a referral can be made for any type of concerning behavior they observe.

Lilly Kirn, a third-year studying psychology and a second-year mental health ambassador, said a mental health ambassador’s role in the CARES report process can be multifaceted.

“It can also just be referring your friend if you feel like they’re struggling in school, referring your friend if you feel like they’re struggling financially,” Kirn said.

Mental health ambassadors also go through a series of training sessions, including learning about substance abuse, stress reduction and the “Question, Persuade, Refer” process, which teaches individuals how to help respond when someone is experiencing suicidal ideation.

Ambassadors also attend and lead events, whether that means organizing therapy dogs to come to campus or tabling in Talley Student Union to provide support and information.

The program also emphasizes the impor-

tance of having a diverse group of mental health ambassadors that are representative of the entire student body.

“Our supervisors do a great job of interviewing people and selecting people that really accurately represent the diversity of our student body,” Kirn said. “And it means that when we go out for interviews, or we do videos, or we do campaigning on campus, or tabling, people can see a familiar face, a diverse face, that they feel is representative of their community.”

However, while ambassadors advocate and work to support their peers’ mental health, it’s also imperative they look out for their own mental health. Supporting and checking in on the ambassadors is a large part of Sigmon’s role as supervisor.

“Christy and our other supervisors for MHA are absolutely amazing about if you need to step back from a project because you have a lot of other stuff going on,” Kirn said. “They really emphasize that your role as a student comes first, and having that differentiation and that boundary between your role as a student and your role as a mental health ambassador can be really important.”

Griffin said one year she needed to take a semester off from being an ambassador, and she received the support she needed from her supervisors. When she came back, she was able to hit the ground running.

“I got my energy back, and they were so supportive, supporting me to chair both of these first-time mental health events,” Griffin said. “And they were there for me every step of the way, checking in, making sure I wasn’t taking on too much on top of a school load and workload.”

One of the Mental Health Ambassadors’ student-led events, “Glow Up for Mental Health,” will take place Nov. 6 at Stafford Commons. The event will feature speeches, a neon dance party, neon swag and an opportunity to learn more about resources on campus.

“Events like this really allow our student body to come together and have a little bit of fun for a night while spreading a message, while breaking stigma,” Griffin said.

If you or someone you know is having a mental health emergency, the Counseling Center can be reached 24 hours a day at 919-515-2423. If you are in a crisis situation and need immediate help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

The Counseling Center’s website offers free online screenings, a plethora of selfhelp resources regarding mental health and wellness concerns and a comprehensive list of campus services available for those who need guidance. To view an exhaustive list, visit counseling.dasa. ncsu.edu/resources.

If you’re seeking professional counseling or other mental health services on campus, visit the Counseling Center’s Getting Started page at counseling. dasa.ncsu.edu/about-us/gettingstarted to complete paperwork, set up an appointment and more.

Embedded counseling program aids students

Matthew Junkroski Correspondent

Last year, NC State integrated embedded counselors across all of its colleges, meaning colleges have counseling staff dedicated to serving students in their respective programs. Today, embedded counselors continue to work to help promote student success.

The program aims to make counseling more accessible, especially for students who struggle to make appointments at the counseling

center. To address this, embedded counselors are often on the same floor as a department, offering easy access for students within that college.

Laura Castro, director of counseling services at the College of Veterinary Medicine, said being a familiar face is part of the program’s success.

“They see our faces, they’re familiar with who we are, and we try to attend a lot of the programs so that they become comfortable

approaching us,” Castro said.

Embedded counselors offer drop-in hours, allowing students to talk with a counselor without a formal appointment. Over the 2023-2024 school year, embedded counselors offered over 700 hours worth of drop-in spaces to students.

Jason Katte, the assistant director of embedded counseling, said embedded counselors’ skill sets differ from general counselors because they are present in their colleges.

“The uniqueness of the embedded counselors connect to the uniqueness of the school that they’re connected with,” Katte said. “So in addition to [standard clinical] services, an embedded counselor does a lot to reduce the stigma of mental health and wellness information by being more accessible.”

GRAPHIC BY AVERY SZAKACS

Savannah Woodman Staff Writer

NC State enhances emergency preparedness with new drills, technology

Matthew Burkhart News Editor

NC State is bolstering its emergency response capabilities through comprehensive drills and new technology, aiming to ensure campus safety in the face of potential crises.

The University’s Emergency Management and Mission Continuity team, led by Todd Becker, works closely with the NC State Police Department to coordinate and improve emergency preparedness across campus.

“We want students to be prepared, faculty and staff to be prepared, if you’re on campus or off campus,” Becker said. “We try to give you the tools to make informed decisions if you find yourself in a scary situation.”

The Wolf Alert system, a multi-faceted emergency notification platform, remains at the core of NC State’s safety infrastructure. It employs various communication methods, including outdoor sirens, text messages, emails, social media posts and digital signage updates.

“Wolf Alert is intended for imminent threats, something that has happened on campus where we want to alert the community and have them take action to stay safe,” Becker said.

In March, the University conducted a wide-scale test of the Wolf Alert system, aiming to familiarize the campus community with its various components and ensure all systems functioned correctly. Becker said the test received positive feedback, with many appreciating the demonstration of how different alert methods work together and plans to conduct another Wolf Alert drill on Sept. 13 and an active shooter drill in November.

Police Chief Daniel House emphasized the evolving nature of these exercises.

“We’ve been doing campus-wide drills for a long time, but we’re trying to integrate more things into it,” House said. “This year, we’re really trying to concentrate on some of those downstream things and how we handle those.”

The upcoming drill will focus on an active shooter scenario, involving campus police in addition to local law enforcement, fire departments and emergency medical services. House said it is imperative to coordinate with external partners to ensure a seamless response during real emergencies.

“The question in my mind has always been, ‘How is this going to be when it comes to command and control?’”

House said. “Are we all on the same sheet of music? Do we know where our staging areas are going to be? Do we know where we’re going to evacuate people to?”

To enhance coordination, the University has established a Resiliency Operation Center, formerly known as the Emergency Operation Center. This upgraded facility serves as a central command post during large-scale events or emergencies, equipped with advanced technology to monitor various data streams and facilitate communication between different agencies and NC State departments.

“Rather than everybody having this stuff on their laptop, we’d have a central location where we could pipe it all in, and we can invite stakeholders,” House said.

House said the police department has also implemented a new organizational structure for emergency response, assigning specific roles to officers in advance. This approach aims to streamline operations during critical incidents, with designated personnel handling tasks such as managing staging areas, traffic control and evacuations.

In terms of technology, House said NC State has invested in new weapon detection systems, replacing traditional magnetometers at Carter-Finley Stadium and other campus locations. These advanced systems can process up to 2,000 people per hour, significantly improving security efficiency

CRIME ON CAMPUS

NC State’s weekly log of major incidents across campus.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON TRESPASS

Sept. 9, 2024 at 12:11 a.m.

2316 Hillsborough St.

University Police and Raleigh Police responded to a reported weapon violation. A nonaffiliated person was found on campus and charged with various weapons violations.

Sept. 8, 2024 at 9:01 p.m.

D.H. Hill Jr. Library

A nonaffiliated person was trespassed from campus after he was harassing students and intoxicated.

at large events.

“It was a large investment, but well worth it,” House said. “We’re very happy and proud to have those. Not every stadium has them.”

While the November drill is scheduled during a student break to minimize disruption, both Becker and House said they are interested in involving students in future exercises.

“We would love to have people involved,” House said. “Especially students, because we get a perspective from the student as we respond to these things.”

As NC State continues to enhance its emergency preparedness, both the Emergency Management and Mission Continuity team and the police department stress the importance of community involvement and feedback. They encourage students, faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with the Wolf Alert system and participate in drills when possible.

“At the end of the day, their focus is about keeping this campus safe,” House said. “We pride ourselves on being the tip of the spear, trying to be the best of the best and knowing that anytime something happens, Murphy’s law kicks in. But having the best-laid plan we possibly can minimizes the impact when things do go wrong.”

LARCENY OF VEHICLE HARASSMENT

Sept. 7, 2024 at 9:19 p.m. Oval West Parking Deck

An employee reported their car stolen but it was later determined they had parked it in a different location.

Sept. 7, 2024 at 1:19 p.m. Reynolds Coliseum

A student reported harassment through social media.

GRAPHIC BY MEGAN MERSCH

NC State adjusts to growing incoming class sizes

Over 5,800 incoming freshmen and over 1,600 transfer students arrived on campus this year, marking NC State’s largest-ever incoming class and the fifth-consecutive year of record-breaking numbers.

Jon Westover, director of admissions, said rising application numbers may be partly responsible. First-year applications increased from around 40,000 last year to around 44,000 this year, with transfer applications numbers also growing.

“I think students are choosing us for a variety of reasons, but more students are choosing us, which is always a good thing as well,” Westover said. “It says that we’re doing a lot of great things here at NC State.”

Westover said educational opportunities are a key factor in NC State’s growth, placing emphasis on internships and co-op research opportunities, as well as being in the Research Triangle Park.

“Students can create their own academic pathway here by combining different academic programs that they might not be able to do at other institutions,” Westover said.

The admission department isn’t the only one working to recruit new students. Initia-

EMBEDDED COUNSELORS

continued from page 3

“… The embedded counselor can work closely with the staff and faculty of the college to help them understand the best ways to address mental health concerns when they come up within their roles.”

NC State initially integrated embedded counselors into the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Athletics department, before expanding to all colleges last year. Since then, 581 students throughout NC State have attended appointments with embedded counselors.

Castro said each embedded counselor’s experiences vary between colleges.

tives, such as Engineering North Carolina’s Future, which aims to meet increased demands for STEM graduates, plans to enroll over 4,000 students over the course of five years.

Alongside educational efforts, Westover said affordability is another aspect of NC State’s growing class size.

“I think we are, for many students, affordable,” Westover said. “I understand that that’s not true for everyone, but [it is] for a good number of students, and tuition has not gone up for a number of years. We appreciate the support that the state gives us to keep tuition and fees relatively affordable.”

As classes grow, departments that serve students must keep pace. Donna McGalliard, associate vice chancellor for academic and student affairs and associate dean for student life and advocacy, said housing works closely with admissions to plan for incoming numbers.

“There is a meeting that housing has with admissions and new student programs and various other departments, and we talk about, ‘Okay, what’s the target for the firstyear class next year? What’s the target for transfers?’” McGalliard said.

Last year, NC State leased University Tow-

“We each have our own culture,” Castro said. “So I’m aware of what’s going on in my college and what personality types are seeking services over here, and I’m aware of the needs specifically.”

Katte said mental health concerns don’t differ across colleges, but presentation varies based on college while student size remains inconsistent.

“If there’s tons of students versus just a small number, it can really go both ways,” Katte said. “Sometimes a small number of students can make you feel more comfortable reaching out, and sometimes it can go the opposite way. With [fewer] students, it feels like there’s a little bit more of a spotlight.”

Regardless of college size, embedded counselors are in limited supply, sometimes resulting in a single counselor assigned to multiple colleges. Katte said despite the population of students, embedded counselors work to serve

ers, but with the building’s purchase earlier this year, McGalliard said the housing department’s available bed space grew by 900 without having to lease, allowing for more flexibility in housing students.

Carol Ann Lewald, assistant dean for undergraduate programs and student affairs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said CHASS staff see the growing numbers of students as an opportunity.

“A lot of what we’re doing is really trying to continue to promote this sense that we have within our college that it’s a small liberal arts school within a large university,” Lewald said. “But as we grow, pushing forward the community more is intensified.”

Lewald said with growing numbers of students in the college, events such as Wellness Week are meant to help foster connections within the college.

“So much of what the college is doing is pushing the Wellness Week, which is coming up the week of the 16th, to push a lot of opportunities for students to get involved within the college and to connect with others outside of their own departments,”

Lewald said. “Because we know that the college falls into silos, and students may be in a very large major … and they don’t neces-

as many students as possible.

“Once a clinician fills up a caseload, they’re not adding more students consistently,” Katte said. “But the outreach services, whether it be the presentations or the ‘Let’s Talk’ consultations, that allows them to stay connected to students. So it really is a juggling act between seeing students clinically and consistently, and giving them that safe space, but also connecting with as many students as we can.”

Since Katte began in October of 2023, the number of embedded counselors has grown from eight to 11. Katte said the program will add another three positions within the next year due to a rising demand and heavy workloads for counselors. This last year, current embedded counselors provided over 1220 outreach hours to students alongside their current caseloads.

Katte said he believes embedded counselors are a way to connect with students.

sarily always interact with others.”

Lewald said CHASS developed a new student program to build community.

“We’ve just launched a new program called the CHASS Advocates program, and that is building on students who already see themselves as activists or advocates for both the college and their needs, but also for other student needs,” Lewald said. “And they will be creating programs that will assist and facilitate some of that community building.”

Every NC State department has to coordinate in order to create and serve NC State’s growing incoming classes. Westover said he’s proud of NC State’s growing numbers. “A lot of time and effort goes into getting us to the group that was here a couple of weeks ago,” Westover said. “In terms of new students, there’s a lot of things that we do, a lot of things that some folks don’t see, but they should be really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. … I think we all pride ourselves on being a place where students across from North Carolina, and quite honestly, across the country and even the world, aspire to be.”

“After something like [COVID-19], where everyone was so isolated and alone, it seems like … one of the best answers towards connecting with students and helping them feel seen again, because that distance was so silencing, made a lot of folks feel more disconnected and in some situations, unable to communicate in the way that they previously did,” Katte said.

Castro said she believes embedded counseling will continue to grow.

“I think that more individualized and tailored services to specific communities is a really successful way to get needs met for students and help them get more out of their counseling services,” Castro said.

Students can access embedded counseling through the Embedded Counselors page of the NC State Counseling website.

GRAPHIC BY WYLIE PHU

Matthew Junkroski Correspondent

Patricia Scholle Staff Writer

The price of self-care

Self-care evokes very specific imagery: candles, face masks, massages or essential oils. The message of supporting your mental health has become synonymous with objects and price tags. To take care of yourself, first you must buy things.

Taking care of yourself is a much more common topic than it was 10 years ago. Naturally, as the topic grew in popularity, capitalism somehow wormed its way into it. The genuineness of self-care is overwhelmed by companies and influencers showcasing “self-care products,” making these products the key to taking care of yourself.

Under the bathroom counter, in all the discarded skin and hair care products, is where the real message of self-care gets lost. It isn’t about object accumulation or sero-

tonin hits from credit card swipes, it is about identifying what truly helps you.

Having a multitude of products and bath items is fun. I too am obsessed with slathering myself in expensive lotions and shampoo, but self-care is so much more than a physical product.

The high of buying things is short. You cannot sustain that tiny moment of happiness; instead, you should seek out joy. Find things that make you feel fulfilled and joyful.

When we turn self-care into an act of consumerism, we make it easier to ignore things that are more important. Not only will you go broke trying to find happiness in objects, you will get home and light the candle just to wonder why you don’t feel any better. There is no universal way to take care of yourself. It would be easy if taking a shower would fix everything, but mental health isn’t that simple.

For me, I love to work and get ahead. One of my rules for myself is I cannot do any work after dinner or on Saturdays. Some people may think that is impossible, but it motivates me to stay focused and get my work done when I am supposed to so that I can take real breaks.

These breaks mean getting to enjoy a hobby with the relief of knowing I have completed my work. Self-care for me is organization, studying ahead of time and staying focused.

Using one product cannot fully target supporting your mental health. Sure, it may feel amazing to slip into a fuzzy robe, but we cannot ignore the importance of learning what makes you feel best and how you can accomplish it.

Buying things as a form of self-care turns it into a box to check. Got a coffee today? Done with taking care of myself until tommorow. Spoiling yourself feels good at the

moment, but it doesn’t address mental health.

Spoiling yourself may even lead to increased mental health problems. If the only way you find joy is in purchasing items, you may find yourself in a stressful financial situation.

There is nothing wrong with buying things, but the problem is the lie that taking care of yourself is as simple as swiping a card.

The problem is thinking products have the magical power to support your mental health.

Seek out things that truly make you feel good. Think of what you like to do to destress. Purposeful time to take walks or enjoy a hobby can fulfill that need. Brainstorm what made you feel good and remember it for when you don’t feel as good. Reflect on what self-care means to you. Maybe even light a candle.

Mastering work-life balance in the digital age — how do we reach equilibrium?

In the digital age, advances in communication have streamlined how we connect with one another.

Among the most significant of these is instant messaging, or IM, which has transformed personal and professional communication. As we carry smartphones, laptops and other devices daily, our ability to stay in constant contact has surpassed that of any previous generation.

While these advancements have undeniably improved convenience and productivity, they have also created unintended consequences, particularly in the workplace. The implementation of instant messaging as a workplace tool has impacted work-life balance in unprecedented ways, blurring the lines between professional and personal time.

This raises an important question: How can we, as a society, adjust to ensure a healthier balance between work and personal life?

With the constant accessibility that IM offers, employers and employees must navigate how to set boundaries that preserve both productivity and personal wellbeing. The ease with which employers can now reach employees through IM has led to a blurring of personal and professional boundaries.

Workers often feel pressure to respond to messages quickly, even during off-duty hours. This creates an unspoken expectation of constant availability, which undermines the distinction between work and personal life. As a result, employees may feel as though they are never truly “off the clock,” leading to increased stress and a lessened ability to relax.

The impact of IM on mental health is also a growing concern.

The constant flow of work-related notifications on personal devices can contribute to anxiety and overwhelm. Employees may struggle to disconnect from work, leaving little room for the mental recovery needed to maintain productivity and focus.

Over time, this contributes to burnout, which affects both individual performance and overall organizational health.

To address these challenges, organizations need to adopt proactive strategies to support both employee well-being and productivity. One of the most effective solutions is the creation of clear communication policies.

Employers should state when it is appropriate to contact employees outside of regular working hours and set realistic expectations for response times. These boundaries help employees feel respected and ensure that they can enjoy their personal time without the anxiety of constant notifications.

Employers must also foster a culture that

prioritizes work-life balance. This includes encouraging the use of features like “do not disturb” or disabling notifications during non-working hours. By doing so, companies can show employees that their well-being is just as important as their output.

Open dialogue between employees and management is crucial in addressing these concerns. When employees feel comfortable discussing their workload, stress levels and challenges, organizations can better identify specific issues that may contribute to burnout.

This approach allows management to tailor support to individual needs and create solutions that benefit both the employee and the business.

While instant messaging offers unparalleled convenience, it also presents significant challenges to employee well-being. The solution lies in finding a balance between the benefits of instant communication and the need for boundaries.

By fostering a respectful, open and mindful work culture, employers can harness the power of instant messaging without compromising the mental health and personal lives of their staff. Addressing these issues head-on is not only a matter of productivity but also of employee satisfaction, retention and overall organizational success.

As employees, boundaries set between an employer and employee are important, however, setting personal boundaries and

expectations are just as crucial to the success of a healthy work-life balance. Employees should set personal working hours, and should make an effort to not engage in work-related communications outside of these hours. The aforementioned “do not disturb” setting on personal devices creates a great way to ensure this.

In a working environment in which employees are encouraged to openly communicate, they should clearly define their expectations, such as limiting work-related communications to between working hours, as well as advocating for their time to partake in personal commitments without worry of being contacted regarding work.

If employees are able to clearly communicate their boundaries and expectations, the environment in which they work will continue to adapt and evolve to further ensure a healthy balance for all employees.

As students, we are almost always waiting on emails from professors, texts from friends or notifications from our part-time jobs, clubs and outside commitments. As more and more communications begin to pile up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and burnt out.

By employing these techniques, even outside of the workforce, we are able to collectively ensure that we all give each other the time and space we need outside of our commitments to take care of ourselves.

Jacob Smith Correspondent

MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEYS

Dissociation and coming home to yourself

Editor’s Note: This article contains reference to traumatic events.

The first time I was conscious during a dissociative episode was just two years ago.

I was in the car with a loved one, on the highway during a hot September day. My mind had already been racing with the stressors from that time, but I began to feel strange; this wasn’t my everyday anxiety.

I felt my heart speed up, seemingly in tune with the speed of the car, and a cold shiver came over me, greeting me, gently, with a warning that something was coming. I looked down at my hands, and they didn’t feel like my hands. I felt as if I was viewing myself from a third-person perspective, like I was playing as character “Cate” in a video game.

This out-of-body experience was terrifying. I felt completely out of control and out of place: I had lost all connection to my physical being. I spiraled into a panic attack, having to stop in a local Harris Teeter bathroom to try to come back to myself. “Who am I? What is happen-

ing?” I thought as I looked at a reflection in the mirror I no longer recognized.

About a year later, I received a diagnosis: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. You probably aren’t familiar with cPTSD considering it is not clinically recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

cPTSD encompasses something called complex trauma, occurring as a result of commonly prolonged or repetitive exposures to a series of traumatic events, within which individuals perceive little or no opportunity to escape. Some of the symptoms of cPTSD are dissociation, depersonalization and derealization. Although slightly different experiences, these encompass a feeling of disconnection from oneself and one’s surroundings.

I am all too familiar with dissociation. It is a part of my shadow self, accompanying me in the darkest parts of my being. Unknowingly, dissociation protected me as a child and adolescent. Dissociation is a trauma response — it protects us through mental detachment when physical escape is not possible. I am grateful to it, strangely, but have grappled with its power over me. It invokes fear at its most primitive level: not fight, not flight but freeze.

I still struggle with this darkness, but I have found some ways to come home to myself.

Firstly, recognizing when dissociation is occurring and putting a name to it can diminish the power it has over us. I see you, I understand you, I accept you, but you are not needed at this moment.

Secondly, stimulating the ventral vagus nerve, a nerve directly connecting our autonomic nervous system and is in charge of our body’s safety or protective responses to danger, can help reconnect us.

Ways to stimulate the vagus nerve include deep breathing — I know, everyone’s favorite — cold exposure such as running cold water over the wrists and self-touch in the form of giving yourself a hug or rubbing your cheeks. Lastly, working to understand why you are experiencing dissociation, getting to the root of you, can be incredibly freeing.

This is a lengthy journey. I have only begun to understand my roots through years of good therapy. I encourage you to reflect on your experiences and how they have shaped you, if it feels safe and you feel supported by a professional or loved ones. Personally, I have found growth and relief through both sporadic and structured journaling, inner-child work and developing an internal sense of safety.

If you relate to any part of my story, I send you an abundance of love. Let’s come home to ourselves.

If you or someone you know is having difficulty processing grief or having a mental health emergency, the Counseling Center can be reached 24 hours a day at 919-515-2423. If you are in a crisis situation and need immediate help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 . In the case of a life-threatening emergency, call 911

The Counseling Center’s website offers free online screenings, a plethora of selfhelp resources regarding mental health and wellness concerns and a comprehensive list of campus services available for those who need guidance. To view an exhaustive list, visit counseling.dasa. ncsu.edu/resources.

If you’re seeking professional counseling or other mental health services on campus, visit the Counseling Center’s Getting Started page at counseling.dasa. ncsu.edu/about-us/gettingstarted to complete paperwork, set up an appointment and more.

Social media helped my body dysmorphia thrive

I first began exploring social media at age 11 when my dad finally granted me permission to download Snapchat on my iPod. As cliche as it may sound, I never expected joining social media to have such a profound impact on my life — more specifically, my mental health.

At first, Snapchat, Instagram and Musical.ly were mediums of connectivity and socializing between me and my school friends. I am guilty of making cringy lip-syncing videos and using the Snapchat dog filter unironically, but that’s beside the point and something I would rather keep buried deep in my past.

But during middle school, I became a target for bullying because of my weight, and at that point, social media became less of a source of entertainment and more of a toxic space for me to compare myself to others.

My self image deteriorated because of all the teasing I endured but also because of the unrealistic beauty standards set by Instagram fitness models and slimming Snapchat filters.

I internalized everything I saw online and became fixated on perfecting my appearance in hopes of being accepted by my peers.

COVID-19 wreaked further havoc on my mental health by causing me to spend endless hours online during quarantine investigating different diets and workout regimens. My primary focus at the time was to lose weight and my TikTok and Instagram algorithms fueled the obsession.

What was intended to be an innocent “glowup” spiraled into a bonafide eating disorder that has taken me years of treatment to recover from.

Like many of the cheesy posters in therapists’ offices say, recovery isn’t linear. I was met with the harsh reality that the world isn’t exactly sensitive to those healing from an eating disorder. Each time I opened TikTok, I was met with a video of someone promoting the best workouts for a flat stomach or the top ten foods to avoid if you want to burn fat.

Additionally, I struggled with being able to tolerate social media posts that mislabeled disordered eating as an eating disorder. There’s a big difference.

Disordered eating is the act of engaging in unhealthy eating habits or over-exercise, usually the result of body image distress. On the other hand, eating disorders are complex,

deeply-rooted mental illnesses that limit an individual’s ability to function and can have significant health consequences.

People online tend to write off their disordered eating behaviors as a legitimate eating disorder, which may seem harmless but can be very invalidating to those who are in recovery. Disordered eating is very troubling and unfortunately something that many people struggle with — especially college students — but it must be distinguished from medical eating disorders.

What allowed my recovery to take a more productive route was my decision to delete all of my social media accounts indefinitely. I realized that my daily interactions with social media were causing me more harm than good, making fostering a recovery-focused environment less feasible.

Removing social media from my phone was truly life-changing; I gained more mental clarity, began struggling less with my body-image and was able to focus more on things that matter like school and interpersonal relationships. Additionally, I spend less time feeling frustrated by misdiagnoses and the media’s romanticization of eating disorders.

I’m not saying that deleting social media made all of my problems go away for good, but it made noticeable improvements to my self-

esteem. I also want to refrain from demonizing social media as I know there are many ways it can be beneficial.

For one thing, social media allows for communication in any place, at any time; I still have Facebook so that I can keep in touch with my out-of-state relatives.

I also have used Instagram since deleting my personal accounts as a marketing platform for different organizations and events I have helped facilitate. Utilizing the internet as a tool allows me to keep my recovery and my relationship with social media completely independent.

Social media added coal to the flames of my mental illness and, in many ways, slowed down the progress of my recovery. As my dad often says, to stop adding coal to a fire, you have to first get rid of the shovel and eliminate things that cause you distress at the source.

I may sound like someone’s nagging parent who is convinced that the internet is evil, but I hope that sharing my story invites you to consider what role social media plays in your life, and perhaps if it’s a role you’re better off without.

If you are struggling with an eating disorder or know someone who needs support, call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at (800) 931-2237. For a 24hour crisis line, text “NEDA” to 741741.

Cate Humphreys

Photo Editor

AJ Toler Correspondent

Editor’s Note: This article contains reference to eating disorders and mental illness.

A fourth-year studying art and design

A second-year studying English and economics

Grow Where You’re Planted

Avery Szakacs, Staff Cartoonist

Mastering Your Darkness

Zay Mahatha, Staff Cartoonist

MCU: Multi-Cow Universe

Jordan Ramsey, Staff Cartoonist

A fourth-year studying art and design

Mental Resilience

Harrison Burstion, Staff Cartoonist

A fourth-year studying art and design

Freedom by Design builds accessible playground for visually impaired children

NC State’s Freedom by Design, a program of the American Institute of Architecture Students, is currently working on an outdoor learning center for visually impaired students at Governor Morehead School. The goal of building this learning center is to provide a more accessible playground for the students.

Jordan Wells, a second-year studying architecture and the construction officer for the Freedom by Design group, said the organization is unique because it focuses on the community rather than a single client.

“It’s one of the only student organizations that allow you to develop beyond ‘theoretical architecture’ or architecture, which only involves designing projects and not being able to see the finished product,” Wells said. “The group partners with local architects to bring these ideas into reality, and in addition to being able to design stuff, students can also be involved in fabrication and hands-on building.”

Devesh Balakrishnan, a second-year studying architecture and the project’s design and documentation officer, said he loves the opportunity to interact with different community members and use their insights to better their projects Freedom by Design provides.

“Most of the work nowadays is digitalized, and you don’t get to interact that much with other people,” Balakrishnan said. “The Freedom by Design group is different. It allows you to work with the

members of your community and work on more hands-on projects.”

According to Wells, the previous Morehead school playground was not very accessible or safe for the students.

“Previous to the outdoor learning center, the playground was very prone to flooding, and rather than remediating the issue, a temporary solution of adding mulch was utilized,” Wells said. “Due to this, the mulch would act as a sponge every time it rained, making the surface uneven and dangerous to walk on.”

Wells said Freedom by Design aims to

renovate the generic playground into a more niche learning center for visually impaired students. The playground had faulty equipment and some needed to be repaired or replaced.

“The learning center we have built is more than just a playground now,” Jordan said. “You have to experience it to understand the whole idea fully. One of my colleagues, Danny, who is part of the design core, has developed a tactile wayfinding system in braille through which students can touch the surfaces of the equipment and understand its use.”

The development of the outdoor learning center has not been without its challenges. A key aspect of the learning center was incorporating the ideas of many members of the Freedom by Design, Governor Morehead School and the community. This led to the addition of many different pieces of equipment, such as musical chimes, which focus on sound sensitivity for students.

“The designing and making of the chimes were probably the most difficult part of the project,” Balakrishnan said. “Jordan and I executed the chime, which was very difficult as we had to be very precise with the musical notes. We also had to take extra precautions while making the chimes in a workshop zone, as we had to cut the chime pipes to the right dimensions.”

Balakrishnan also said promoting the Freedom By Design group is equally important.

“We want to make sure a lot of people beyond our NC State community know the mission and impact of our work,” Balakrishnan said. “We do this by participating in competitions and social media.”

Balakrishnan and Wells both emphasized the importance of teamwork and cooperation between the Freedom by Design group, Governor Morehead School and the American Institute of Architecture Students.

Anyone interested in contributing to Freedom By Design’s project can reach out to Wells and Balakrishnan at tjwells@ ncsu.edu and dbalakr@ncsu.edu

The editorial board’s self-care tips and tricks

In the spirit of this week’s mental health special issue, our editorial board gave their favorite ways to de-stress and unwind.

Kate Denning, Editor-in-Chief

There’s nothing I love more than taking a bath, lighting a candle and slipping into clean sheets after a rough day. No one thinks clearly when they’re grimey! It’s also important for me to give gratitude even through the trials — at the end of the day, I am lucky to be living out the very things I once wished for.

Justin Welch, Managing Editor

I like to read a few pages from a book at the end of the day to wind down. Clears my

mind, slows down the pace and whatnot.

Ethan Bakogiannis, Managing Editor

Even if there’s many times it ends in my controller getting thrown across the room, playing video games is my preferred way of unwinding. It takes me to a different place, one where instead of worrying about assignments, tests and bills, I can play on a field, swing through city streets or fight bad guys with my friends — something that’s gotten me through thick and thin throughout my life.

Olivia Smith, Copy Desk Chief

Self-care nights are my favorite way to

de-stress and unwind. Those nights consist of face masks, an iced Coke Zero and a good book. Another necessity is bingewatching Love Island and any movie starring Glen Powell with my best friends. It truly can’t get any better than those kinds of nights.

Matthew Burkhart, News Editor

Reuniting with my little sister after a busy week of college and trading stories from the week as we take our all-toofamiliar walk around the neighborhood replenishes my battery. Our tales are only interrupted to assign a name to the passing turtle or rabbit.

Ally Tennant, News Editor

Sitting and yapping with Cate Humphreys, the photo editor, while we contemplate our life choices since we were eight. Love ya, Cate.

Sarah Hoffer, Culture Editor

When I’m feeling down, overwhelmed and unsure about things, I find it to be very helpful to put away all technology and make myself a nice and cozy meal.

CONTRIBUTED BY BROOKLYN SCOTTO

Sammy Joshi Correspondent

10 TECHNICIAN

Hopscotch 2024: Back for another year

Sarah Hoffer Culture Editor

Raleigh welcomed Hopscotch Music Festival for the 14th time this weekend and brought a stacked lineup of upcoming and large artists. Hopscotch, one of the biggest cultural events in the Triangle, led thousands of people to flood the streets of Raleigh.

Hopscotch is known for diverse and adventurous lineups, artists’ memorable performances, a mixture of large venues — City Plaza and Moore Square, for example — and smaller, intimate venues such as Pour House, Slims, Lincoln Theatre and Neptunes.

The festival welcomed large artists such as Faye Webster, JPEGMAFIA, St. Vincent and Waxahatchee, but North Carolinian artists like MJ Lenderman, Indigo de Souza and Wednesday were also integral to the festival’s lineup to show the concertgoers what local music can bring.

The sound and impact of the music was transformed depending on the venue. Lincoln Theatre and Slims gave the intimate feeling of being right in front of the band, nearly close enough to sit on stage. Although the blaring speakers leave ears ringing for hours after, watching Danny Gomez, lead singer of Native Sun, crowd surf during the final song of their set makes the experience completely worth it.

City Plaza gave a unique experience surrounded by the Raleigh skyline that echoed and amplified the music all the way down the street. As Faye Webster played one of her most popular songs, “Right Side of My Neck,” she released bubbles that floated above the crowd, offering visuals that cannot be compared to anything else.

Sheridan Ely, a second-year studying chemical engineering, attended the festival this year with excitement to see the full lineup.

“I love the scene,” Ely said. “Even though we go to [NC State] I think coming downtown and being with all these people who are younger and share the same interests is awesome. Having something that just gets people out is so important.”

Thursday’s lineup was promising and left no boxes unchecked. Waxahatchee, JPEGMAFIA, Mavi, Snail Mail, The Thing and plenty of other artists packed a punch no matter when or where they played.

JPEGMAFIA, also known by fans as Peggy, took the stage at Moore Square with a bang. People jumped with the beat, shouted along and kept the energy going until the end. Lindsey Jordan, lead singer of the band Snail Mail, sang with confidence and vulnerability in the center of City Plaza. Native Sun and The Thing’s back to back sets were a perfect way to end the night and complemented each other greatly with their high energy and cathartic modern rock music.

Enid Walker, a student at Appalachian State University, decided to volunteer at Hopscotch this year. Her parents went to Hopscotch when she was growing up, which urged her to

attend the festival herself.

“I think it’s cool to see older people grow up and stay cool when they get older,” Walker said. “My parents are cool, but obviously it’s nice to see more people than just them, who are interested in the same things as us.”

Friday was the tip of the mountain — it seemed as if everyone who came to Hopscotch was there to see Webster.

MJ Lenderman and the Wind did not disappoint, and the crowd stuck around, waiting for Webster to appear on stage.

Later that night, people wrapped around the block at Lincoln Theatre to see Ty Segall, where he captivated the listeners with his solo acoustic set. Hovvdy, a duo from Austin, Texas, delivered music with notes of “rootsy bedroom-pop and station-wagon country,” a great way to follow Segall and to finish off the night.

Amy Celeste, a student at East Carolina University, also volunteered at the event out of love for music and discovery of new artists.

“I like seeing smaller music coming to Raleigh,” Celeste said. “A lot of people are moving to Raleigh, and I feel like they bring different things and new culture to music. I feel like the whole music scene is growing a lot.”

Saturday, the final day of Hopscotch, offered shows from Grammy winner St. Vincent and The Jesus Lizard, known for their “shattering live performances.” Asheville native bands Indigo de Souza and Wednesday took the stage that night as well with the North Carolina mountains emanating through and anecdotes of their lives in the lyrics echoing over the festival.

“There’s a lot of indie-based artists, and I feel like there’s a pretty decent alternative culture at NC State,” Ely said. “It’s music of our age, and it’s so cool to see all at once. You always see artists that you have heard of and artists that you’ve never heard of.”

Seeing musicians you don’t know yet is one of the beauties of a festival with over 100 artists playing. It is a place for discovery and connection.

“It opens people up to the smaller bands that people didn’t necessarily come to Hopscotch for,” Walker said. “Now I’m gonna be looking out for bands that I just saw since I was here.”

The music footprint in Raleigh is expanding, and an annual festival like Hopscotch proved itself to be a key avenue to finding new artists far and wide.

VIOLET BEESLEY/TECHNICIAN

Karly Hartzman, lead singer of Wednesday, screams into the microphone during Hopscotch Festival at Moore Square on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Wednesday is an Asheville-based band.

Critical Mass: The leaderless organization bringing biker awareness to the streets of Raleigh

Amber Hampton Correspondent

On the last Friday of the month you may notice a large group of cyclists, one-wheelers, scooter riders and many other alternative modes of transportation making their way through the streets of Raleigh. This is Critical Mass, an event that has no leader. Rather, it is conducted by members of the community who wish to see cyclists — and other non-vehicular modes of transportation — be acknowledged and respected when using the roads.

Critical Mass is a worldwide event that occurs on the last Friday of every month in cities across the globe. This event went through a period of inactivity in Raleigh but was restarted this spring. On the last Friday of May 2024, which is National Bike Month, Critical Mass made its comeback.

With the help of Oaks and Spokes, a nonprofit organization that advocates for better transportation around Raleigh community members and participants, Critical Mass has continued each month since.

Jared Harber, the executive director of Oaks and Spokes, explained the connection between the organization and event. The goal is for Critical Mass to be self-sufficient but it takes some assistance to get it going, and that’s where Oaks and Spokes stepped in. Their role is to help keep things orga-

SELF-CARE TIPS

continued from page 9

It helps me connect to myself and to real things in front of me, and I find it to be grounding in a hard moment.

Ellie Bruno, Design Editor

I can’t begin to describe how impactful family pets are in my life, especially as a dog person, their energy is able to lift any funk I’m in. Recently, my partner adopted a kitten, and I’ve come to realize that cats have the same effect on me, even if they also cause an awful allergic reaction that takes days to recover from.

Lucy Osborn, Graphics Editor

Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Therapy ice cream. The name is a bit on the nose, but it does wonders. I cuddle up in bed, find a nice long YouTube video essay and indulge in chocolatey goodness.

nized behind the scenes.

“It’s a sight to see, it slows people down, just like congestion with cars would slow people down,” Harber said. “But it’s a statement about shared space, shared roadways, right of way and legal use of using the roads in ways that aren’t just driving a car.”

A large number of cyclists and other alternative transportation users taking over

the streets makes vehicle drivers slow down and pay attention. Harber added Critical Mass is also a way to showcase how you reduce your personal footprint. Since cars emit greenhouse gasses, finding alternative ways of transportation like biking is a great way to combat climate change.

Aug. 30 was Critical Mass’ most recent ride, but saw a limited turnout because of

the weather. Harber states their largest ride, in May 2024, was approximately 250 participants and Critical Mass sees about an average of 150 participants each ride.

Amber Echevarria, a board member of Oaks and Spokes, played a role in bringing Critical Mass back to Raleigh. Echevarria’s reason for bringing Critical Mass back to Raleigh was to have a ride where everyone is welcome.

“Critical Mass is not just bikes these days,” Echevarria said. “It’s scooters, one wheelers…[just] a big group.”

The community aspect of Critical Mass and being out on the streets was another reason Echevarria wanted to bring back the rides.

“I missed the community aspect of, like being out on the streets,” Echevarria said. “I really liked the whole taking back the streets from all the cars kind of thing where, especially here, I see so many wrong way drivers and just people not paying attention, and it’s the whole awareness thing, like, ‘Hey, we’re out here.’ You know, be careful.”

If you want to get involved in cyclist and alternative transportation awareness, or just want to enjoy a ride through Raleigh’s streets, Critical Mass’ next ride will be Friday, Sept. 27. Critical Mass meets each Friday at the NC State Memorial Bell Tower at 6:30 p.m. and begins the ride at 7:00 p.m.

Skye Crawford, Opinion Editor

Napping is good; napping is great; napping is everything I appreciate.

Rocky Berhe, Assistant Opinion Editor

I love going to hot yoga or pilates, anything that requires my utmost presence and complete focus.

Colby Trotter, Sports Editor

Grounding.

Connor VanDerMark, Assistant Sports Editor

Music. If I’m not hanging out with friends or in class, my AirPods will most likely be in. There is no problem that can’t be fixed with some Kendrick Lamar or J. Cole. After a long trip to the Queen City for Saturday’s poor showing and an unfortunate Indianapolis

Colts loss, my Spotify usage is through the roof.

Aidan Carlson, Assistant Sports Editor

Playing seven straight hours of my College Football 25 New Mexico Los Lobos Dynasty until there is a controller through the TV.

Ethan Rimolt, Photo Editor

Life can be incredibly hard, everyone knows that. I love to read my Bible when I get stressed out or don’t know where to go.

“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”

Lamentations 3:19-22 NIV

Cate Humphreys, Photo Editor

I tend to self-isolate when I feel down. Most of the time, I just need to yap it out. My fa-

vorite person to yap with is fellow editor Ally Tennant. Our humor is that of an eight-yearold boy, but we embrace each other in all our goofiness. Love you, Ally.

Nicole Bharrat, Video Editor

When feeling stressed, I like to have mandated outside time. Since coming to college, I have forgotten how much time I actually spent outdoors as an adolescent. Sometimes, just sitting on a bench and looking at the trees for 20 minutes is enough to reset. Don’t forget to take the time to look up!

Jakob Halbur, Assistant Video Editor

Usually turning off most NC State athletics games in favor of 2024 March Madness highlights is good enough to do the trick to make most bad days better. However, if that’s not an option I really enjoy cooking up some homemade bread and soup for myself. And hey, nothing warms the soul more than some chicken tortilla soup and DJ Burns absolutely bodying Kyle Filipowski.

COURTESY OF CODY STOKES

Heartbreak and healing: Jaiden Thomas’ perseverance through a devastating injury

Ethan Bakogiannis Managing Editor

Last summer, Jaiden Thomas was eagerly preparing for her final season with NC State women’s soccer. But in a routine drill just days into the preseason, Thomas knew exactly what happened the second she hit the ground.

Before her season even began, it ended in heartbreak.

Thomas, a long-time veteran midfielder for the Wolfpack, described her injury as an “out of body experience,” one that she knew the result of the moment it happened. After an immediate and apprehensive flurry of appointments, hospital visits and tests, Thomas’ status was confirmed.

Thomas’ ACL and meniscus were torn. Her season was over.

“I was so heartbroken,” Thomas said. “I remember when I was getting treatment before surgeries. I had a towel over my head in the training room because I was just sobbing all the time, and I didn’t want to make eye contact with any teammates or friends or anybody in the training room that was there. I was so sad to not be able to play.”

The initial shock of her injury was devastating to the then-senior, now-graduate, midfielder. While the physical pain from her ACL and meniscus tears was great, Thomas went through heartbreak after losing the game she loved.

Head coach Tim Santoro has seen debilitating injuries happen time and again throughout his coaching tenure.

While Thomas was committed to coming back to NC State for another season shortly after her surgery, her experience was no different from others who suddenly have their lifelong purpose stripped away from them.

“A lot of times in those first couple months, they feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel,” Santoro said. “They do not see how they’re going to play soccer again. And we know, over time, they’ll be back to 100% but those kids, they just feel like it’s never going to happen again because it’s so painful, and you’re just so far away from what you were before the injury.”

The mental battle Thomas waged during rehabilitation was tightly intertwined with the physical one, and more often than not, the former was harder to fight.

“You’re relearning how to walk,” Thomas said. “You’re relearning how to run, and it takes a while, and because you don’t have a lot of muscle there, there’s so many aches and pains when you’re coming back. So the entire recovery process, as hard as it is physically, it’s so hard mentally because you’re trying to get yourself to push through pain.”

As she retaught herself how to walk, Thomas was restricted to a spot on the sideline and a pair of crutches for her team’s lackluster 3-9-6 2023 campaign, another factor that took a toll on her mental health.

“They’re having to watch the team play and last year — we didn’t have a good year — and that’s even more frustrating because they know they can help,” Santoro said. “And it’s just a vicious cycle of them having to go through all these different battles mentally. The physical part they get through quickly. It’s just the mental part of trying to get back.”

It’s an experience that’s not uncommon for athletes of any sport but isolating all the same.

Thomas said she did her best to stay positive at every point of her rehabilitation, part of which was celebrating the many small victories she achieved along the way. However, there were many ups and downs. Through both the good and bad days, Thomas made it a point to be her own cheerleader.

“It’s so important to just be your own biggest supporter as much as you possibly can,” Thomas said. “And it won’t be all the time, but whenever you can, just try to push through and be your biggest supporter because, at the end of the day, your body really needs you.”

Even still, it took an undertaking to overcome the anxiety and mental strain that came with a severe injury such as hers. Despite it all, Thomas was stubbornly perserverant. And when she wasn’t, those around her were.

Santoro was by Thomas’ side nearly every day during her year-long recovery process, and Caroline Fleming, the team’s athletic trainer, was there for her every step of the way. When things seemed the most bleak, it was Fleming who believed in Thomas, even if Thomas didn’t believe in herself.

“There were definitely moments where I was like, ‘I don’t think that I can come back from this, and I don’t think that I can be the player that I was again,’” Thomas said. “The person that probably helped me the most with that was Caroline, my trainer, because she was like, ‘Jaiden, I know that you don’t believe in yourself right now, but I believe in you, and I’m gonna be there for you when you don’t believe in yourself.’”

Critical to Thomas’ recovery, and the recovery of others just like her, was her support system, of which Fleming

was the cornerstone.

Thomas said there were many times when she felt discouraged and unmotivated to take part in her daily physical therapy sessions. But Fleming was always there for her as a friend first and a trainer second.

Working hand-in-hand with Fleming’s physical therapy was the NC State Athletics’ sports psychology department. As another fundamental part of Thomas’ recovery support system, the midfielder’s sports psychologist helped her work through anxiety and the insecurities that she had when she finally started training again in the spring of 2024.

At NC State, athletes who suffer long-term injuries like Thomas receive instant referrals to counselors and sports psychologists because of the toll these injuries take on athletes’ mental health. In addition to therapy sessions, Thomas found solutions to relieve anxiety, one of which was a deceptively simple addition to her wrist.

“As simple as it sounds, I wear a hair tie now at practice so that if I’m ever feeling anxious, or feel an ache or a pain here, I just kind of remind myself to just think about something else, feel something else, feel a different sensation,” Thomas said. “So I’ll just kind of pull on my wrist band lightly to feel that sensation.”

However, when all else failed, Thomas leaned on her faith to relieve her anxieties. As the backbone of her recovery, prayer for Thomas was essential to making it back on the pitch.

continued page 13

KAELA BELINGON/TECHNICIAN

Senior midfielder Jaiden Thomas prepares to kick the ball during the match against Harvard on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022 at Dail Soccer Field. NC State lost 2-0.

THOMAS

No. 24 NC State men’s soccer dominates Winthrop 7-0, remains undefeated

In his first season as head coach of NC State men’s soccer, Marc Hubbard has quickly elevated the standard of NC State men’s soccer. Earlier in the week, No. 24 NC State became nationally ranked for the first time since 2019, which is also the last time it made the NCAA Tournament.

After its dominant 7-0 win over Winthrop at Dail Soccer Stadium on Tuesday night, the Pack is unbeaten in its first five games of the season for the first time since 2012.

“The rankings are nice but it’s the ones at the end that matter,” Hubbard said. “You just have to continue to take it one day at a time and improve and stay healthy and that stuff will take care of itself.”

Turning around a program in a short amount of time is nothing new for Hubbard. In his first season as head coach of the University of New Hampshire, he led the Wildcats to a 10-5-3 record after they went 6-10-1 the year prior.

Hubbard didn’t stop there. Over the next nine seasons, New Hampshire became one of the best teams in college under the guidance of Hubbard. He brought the school its first four America East Tournament championships and its highest ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Poll at No. 4 in 2021.

Now in his first season with the Wolfpack, it seems like NC State is on the same trajectory as Hubbard’s previous team.

THOMAS

continued from page 12

“I prayed a bunch,” Thomas said. “I prayed a lot before I made the decision to come back. I prayed before so many of my rehab sessions just asking for strength to get through it, asking for his hand and to help me, because it’s such a difficult time. … My faith was so huge in this, and I truly don’t think I would have gone through it if I hadn’t stayed true to my faith.”

A loving set of family and friends rounded out Thomas’ support structure. With it, she made her way back to practice in the spring. But even that didn’t come without its own new set of challenges.

Fleming said taking your first steps back out on the field is sometimes the

“It’s the reason I transferred here,” said junior forward Taig Healy, who followed Hubbard from New Hampshire. “I knew he was going to get the team sorted quickly. He just gets us so organized.”

After a slow start that saw the Eagles (1-4-1) outshoot the Wolfpack (4-0-1) 4-1 in the first 10 minutes, Healy got NC State on the board in the 25th minute.

Junior forward Santiago Hoyos Lopez

received a pass from sophomore forward Hakim Karamoko in the box and put a shot on goal that was saved. The ball bounced off the hands of Winthrop’s goalie and onto the feet of Healy, who put it in the back of the net for his team-leading third goal of the season.

Healy’s goal broke open the floodgates — the Wolfpack scored just over six minutes later. Karamoko, who was flying

around the field all night, put a shot on net that dinged off the post. Karamoko’s shot caused the goalie to dive and with the keeper out of position, sophomore forward Donavan Phillip tapped in the rebound for his first goal wearing the red and white.

NC State didn’t back down after its second goal and continued to press the Eagles. In the 39th minute, junior forward Drew Lovelace dribbled down the left sideline and into the box before crossing over two Eagles defenders, firing a shot to the bottom right post for his first goal of the year.

It was a dominant first half for the home team as the Wolfpack outshot the Eagles 20-4 and put eight more shots on goal. Despite coming out of the locker room with a three-goal lead, NC State kept attacking and added four more goals before the game’s end courtesy of fifth-year forward Junior Nare, redshirt junior forward Aidan Payne, sophomore forward Ervin Cruz and redshirt sophomore Samuel Presser. “I said before the second half, because we had a fantastic first half, ‘We all have one common goal to just keep the same level,’” Healy said. “We want to make a statement to the rest of the country when they see the seven next to our name.” Up next, NC State will welcome Stetson to Dail Soccer Stadium on Friday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

toughest part of the rehabilitation process. For Thomas, it was intimidating to go out and play again, especially because her ACL tear was a non-contact injury.

“It’s not the same and it’s restricted and you also have fear,” Fleming said. “She’s afraid, but she doesn’t want to be afraid, and she wants to be doing everything, but we’re not ready to do everything. So you get to a point where you’ve been so excited for this moment and it’s not living up to it, and then it has its own set of challenges — mentally, physically.”

Nevertheless, Thomas persisted. She reflected on those days she spent sobbing on the training table, thankful for her willingness to accept and internalize all the negative emotions as a key part in her journey of physically, emotionally and mentally healing from her injury.

“For as much as I said to try to remain positive and confident, I think early on,

when you get injured like this, allow yourself to feel all of the emotions, all of the negative emotions,” Thomas said. “I think that helped me a lot because for the first few months I really allowed myself to feel those negative emotions so I could push through it quicker.”

Fleming and Thomas continuously set short-term goals that built up to the midfielder’s ultimate, long-term goal of playing again. That long-distance objective always seemed unattainable for many, including Thomas. Even after experiencing a setback just a month before the start of the 2024 season, that seemingly unreachable goal was suddenly seconds away.

As Thomas stepped back onto the field for the first time, she had yet another outof-body experience. Excitement, joy and disbelief overcame her as she subbed into the Pack’s season opener in Raleigh.

“I was so excited,” Thomas said. “I

don’t even fully remember those first few minutes. Running out there, I was like, ‘I don’t even think this feels real. This doesn’t even feel real.’ I’m sure the first time I touched the ball, I think I turned it over to the other team, because I was just so anxious in the best way possible. Like, ‘What do I even do with this ball now that I have it?’”

Thomas repeatedly recollected the importance of perseverance throughout her journey — emphasizing that when you feel heartbreak, or that it’s all out of reach, to simply, stubbornly keep pushing forward.

“It does get better,” Thomas said. “As much as there’s going to be times where it feels so dark and it feels like it’s not going to get better, you’re going to get better. Your knee is not going to be the same? It will. And you just have to make it through each day and just keep pushing.”

LAILA BUSH/TECHNICIAN

Redshirt junior forward Aidan Payne celebrates a goal during the game against Winthrop at Dail Soccer Field on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Payne scored the fifth goal against Winthrop. The Wolfpack beat the Eagles 7-0.

Colby Trotter Sports Editor

COLUMN: More empathy should be shown for student athletes dealing with injury

It’s nearly impossible to sit in the stands of any stadium, arena or field at NC State and not be enamored by the talent of the Wolfpack’s athletes. While everyone has gifts in life, sports prove to be one of the best ways to exhibit an individual’s gift to the world. For many players, athleticism and ability construct the foundation of their identity. When that foundation is shaken, however, the aftermath can be devastating.

Injuries are a sobering, unavoidable and unpredictable part of a student athlete’s life. A student athlete’s response to injuries often reflects those adjectives through emotions that may have lay dormant for years, waiting for calamity to strike. Expressing profound sadness, anger and lack of motivation cover just a few of the psychological obstacles a player faces throughout recovery from injury. No formula exists to predict the emotional rollercoaster in store for each athlete’s experience.

Adversity creates a fork in the road for everyone. One path holds hope in opportunity to grow through a difficult, boundary-pushing grind toward coming back better, whereas the other is a bleak, dejecting rut that creates a longing for anything that feels like a foothold or eases the pain. Every great comeback story has discouraging ones to match, making it truly up to each person to choose which path to follow.

For the bystanding fan, it has become so easy to acknowledge a player’s injury and continue to the next play, snap or whistle in a blink without a second thought to the traumatic reality facing a real human on the other side. In a digitized world, fans are desensitized to what happens outside of themselves, especially what’s only seen through a screen. Sports are a business, and the supply chain has to keep moving, making it challenging to grasp the personalities and emotions that lie underneath a jersey.

Take graduate safety Devan Boykin, who tore his ACL

in December during preparation for the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The Greensboro native is still yet to return to action, almost nine months later. From an outside perspective, the Wolfpack suffered a devastating loss before an important bowl game that could end up costing them against No. 18 Kansas State. “I hate it for the kid” or “poor guy” is ordinarily the most thought given to someone like Boykin in his most painful hour.

Head coach Dave Doeren has given multiple updates leading up to this season as to the recovery of Boykin and has shared his sympathy since the injury occurred, but has focused on the collective good of the team, as is his job. Too much money, too many resources and too little margin for error exist for one player to impede an entire program. As a result, this leaves an injured athlete in the dust to cope, largely by themselves, while trying to maintain support of their teammates who are taking advantage of the dream they’re missing out on.

If the torment on the field wasn’t enough, these young adults are trying to make it through school, create lifelong relationships and potentially jump-start a career. Losing a passion like sports can be the last straw to break the camel’s back, leading a student athlete to have to stand against these hurdles deprived of the one aspect of college that brought them true joy.

Specifically in today’s landscape, mental disorders like anxiety, eating disorders, substance use or abuse and even depression have grown into everyday terms that people of all ages and backgrounds are up against. Significant injury can be a factor in unmasking these illnesses.

According to research from the Charlie Health Mental Health Service, depression rates amongst college athletes range from 15.6% to 21%. If the research correlates correctly, between 16 and 23 of the players on NC State’s football roster are facing depression, an unbelievable thought for those watching on the couch. There are, of course, specific groups of stigmatized individuals who boost the percentages, but it does not diminish the fact that this issue is real amongst college athletes.

While injury may seem like a routine occurrence in collegiate sports, it proves to hold a far greater impact on the lives of athletes and those around them. Realizing there is a body behind the brand is crucial for the average fan to understand.

For athletes, developing a support system can be crucial to avoid falling into a dark place during a period of strenuous recovery. Simple passion cannot always bear the weight of such hard seasons of life. Opposing these things alone is too much weight for the strongest souls, sending too many young men and women with immeasurable potential down the wrong side of the fork in the road. Finding teammates, whether literal or metaphorical, to uplift, encourage and even push each other through difficult seasons is imperative to life, not just sports.

Jakob

CATE HUMPHREYS/TECHNICIAN

Sophomore guard Terquavion Smith lays on the court floor after being fouled during the game against UNC-Chapel Hill in the Dean E. Smith Center on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. Smith had 12 points. The Tar Heels beat the Wolfpack 8069.

Josiah Lee Correspondent

NC State’s most charismatic athlete: Kai Orine

I’m not really sure if that’s what I mess you guys up with first.’”

and I cut the hell out of them. I cut him bad. He ended up getting it covered up.”

If you’re a fan of NC State wrestling, then you’re probably familiar with redshirt senior Kai Orine’s signature celebration after he wins a match.

Once Orine puts away his opponent, he goes to the middle of the mat, bends his knees, flexes his arms and sticks out his tongue like he’s been possessed. If you’re able to take your eyes off Orine’s demonic look, you may notice the tattoos that cover his left leg and arm.

While it’s not uncommon for wrestlers to sport tattoos, the artist of the two-time ACC Champion’s tattoos isn’t who you’d expect. It’s the same guy who sticks out his tongue after he wins a match.

Meet the most charismatic athlete on NC State’s campus: Kai Orine.

It all started in the summer of 2020. Orine was hanging out with a group of his teammates when former Wolfpack wrestler Matt Fields had an idea. Fields suggested that Orine should start learning how to tattoo. Orine had always been a talented artist, but he wasn’t too keen on the idea at first.

“My perception of tattooing and everything at the time was l was very hesitant of it,” Orine said. “I was just like ‘I don’t know about that. You know it’s permanent?

Fields couldn’t convince him at the time, but the thought of it stuck in Orine’s head.

When he went back home to Missouri that summer, he brought it up to his dad, who loved the idea and thought his son could start a side hustle tattooing to make money.

“So we got in the car, drove around the corner to some sketchy little vape shop, and they had a $100 kit that I definitely paid way too much money for,” Orine said.

He brought the kit back to NC State and all of his teammates wanted to get a tattoo even though Orine hadn’t even tested it out yet. Orine practiced on fake skin for about 30 minutes before redshirt senior AJ Kovacs volunteered to be first.

For Kovacs, the motivation behind letting Orine tattoo him with no experience was simple.

“If he messes it up that bad I could always get it covered,” Kovacs said. “And so I said, ‘You’re never really going to get better — you’re never going to know how it is until you touch human skin’. So I was like, ‘I’ll be the dummy.’”

Orine drew a two-line cross on Kovacs’ wrist, but had no idea how to work the machine.

“I was running the machine way too hot,” Orine said. “It was moving way too fast,

However, Kovacs was happy nonetheless after getting his first tattoo.

“I didn’t really know how it was hurting,” Kovacs said. “I thought it was just like a normal tattoo. But it was just funny because as soon as I sat down, he just did two lines, and it was so quick, I didn’t even realize how bad it was gonna come out. I was like, ‘Oh, this is sick. I just got a fresh tattoo.’”

Since then, Orine has vastly improved with the ink pen in his hand. He has a studio at his apartment where his teammates come to get fresh ink. Despite Kovacs covering up the first tattoo Orine gave him, he’s been to the studio multiple times since. Orine has tattooed Roman numerals on Kovacs’ arm that represent some of his family members and also gave him a grim reaper with a snake wrapped around it on his leg.

Orine has given himself 10 tattoos and said that he’s tattooed at least half of the wrestling team. Every time he goes back home, he gives his mom a tattoo and she’s up to a half-sleeve on her arm.

Orine’s inspiration with tattoos and art in general started in his senior year of high school when he took six art classes. It was the only subject he really cared about.

“It was the only thing I had real, genuine interest in,” Orine said. “Just being a better artist, being a better designer, being able to craft and make things with my hands.”

Orine’s love for art started at a young age when he saw the artwork his dad did. Orine’s dad would pull out old drawings to show to his son, who always wondered why his dad didn’t pursue a career in art.

“He would keep some of his old art projects,” Orine said. “I remember looking at him thinking ‘Wow, Dad. You should have done something with that. What the hell are you doing?’”

His father had just graduated high school when his son was born and immediately joined the workforce and became a carpenter instead of pursuing an art career.

KAELA BELINGON/TECHNICIAN

Redshirt junior Kai Orine celebrates his victory after the wrestling match against the University of Virginia in Reynolds Coliseum on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Orine won the 133 bout by fall. NC State beat UVA 38-3.

Colby Trotter Sports Editor

HOPSCOTCH

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