Matthew Dormus is making an impact at Oakwood University, a private HBCU located in Huntsville, Alabama. Dormus is a junior, HBCU White House Scholar, and currently serves as Mister Oakwood, promoting the platform “We Choose Hope.” Through this platform, Dormus recently made history on his campus by launching a mental health awareness initiative through “The Story Room,” a mental health hub for students on campus with a twist. In this room there are 50 anonymous stories from current students and alumni who share their journeys and struggles with mental health, providing those who are battling a mental crisis with hope.
Dormus reflecting in “The Storyroom”. Credit: Matthew Dorms
When asked about his platform Dormus mentioned the continual impact he hopes his initiative will have saying, “As Mister Oakwood, I’m focusing on how I can provide mental health resources to the student body. Because when one person chooses hope, they inspire somebody else to choose hope, and it becomes a continuous motion of people choosing to continue along their journey and to keep reaching for a better day.”
Recently the decision to “reach for a better day,” became quite difficult for many students at Oakwood University, due to a recent tragedy that struck campus. Jeavonn Barracks, a sophomore, passed away in February, a month before Dormus became Mister Oakwood. As the campus struggled with grief Dormus took the opportunity to use his platform to bring the student body together.
“Seeing how that unfortunate incident heightened mental health struggles within my school, I realized– okay something needs to be done about this. I’ve struggled extensively with mental health within my own life, so I wanted to create a room that when students are having a bad day, they can go inside the room and connect with mental health resources to feel better.”
Jumping in full-fledged, Dormus and his Miss Oakwood, Melanie Carter, decided to merge platforms to uplift the students and surrounding community through mental health awareness.
“We decided to team up and partner on our platforms. Her platform is based on suicide prevention and destigmatizing the conversations around suicide, her platform is called ‘Continue’. We partnered to become, ‘We Continue by Choosing Hope’.”
Mister and Miss Oakwood reading the collection of stories. Credit: Matthew Dormus
“The Story Room” is accessible for students on weekdays and is located near the university market that also serves as a student union. Students are free to walk in alone or in a group. Dormus wanting to make sure students feel safe and at ease added, “Just whatever makes them comfortable, whatever makes them relax, to de-stress.”
Views of “The Story Room”. Credit: Oakwood University
Students across the country struggle with mental health. Specifically at HBCUs, some students may deal with issues that others may not face on a daily basis. When asked about the challenges HBCU students face, Dormus emphasizes the amount of pressure students walk through by saying,
“It’s a lot of pressure to be an excellent black man or an excellent black woman. You grow up thinking I want to be the first in my family to go to college, or even if I’m not the first I want to continue the legacy in my family by going to this HBCU or choosing this career path.”
The HBCU world is full of students from all different backgrounds and spaces, some more less fortunate than others. According to the White House, about 24 percent of students at the average HBCU are from families in the bottom 20 percent of the income distribution – more than twice the rate of the average four-year school. Many students are facing more than academic battles. With the odds stacked against some students Dormus adds, “It doesn’t speak for all HBCU students, but if you do come from that background, the struggle being in college, you have an immense burden on your shoulders to succeed, to get that internship, get that grade, to get that job opportunity, because you’re almost trying to prove yourself to all that’s back home that you will be something of yourself, all that pressure can make people deal with trauma.”
Resources like the Oakwood Story Room provide solitude for those feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of being an HBCU student. Since the opening in late August, there has been, “a tremendous outpouring of love and support, not just for us as campus king and queen but also for what the room represents and how it can impact lives, not just for while we’re here, but for years to come.” Dormus mentioned.
Oakwood University has its roots in faith and spirituality with it being a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian college. Spirituality can play a large role in one’s wellness. “The Story Room” is located in the office of Spiritual Life and Mission, so students have the option of talking to faith-based counselors if desired. Dormus adding, “Our university does a good job at pairing faith care and wellness care, and that helps students tap into both sides.”
“The Storyroom” Credit: Oakwood University
Beyond “The Story Room,” the Oakwood Royal Court has plans to continue pushing its initiative through several events to promote mental health and wellness. This October, the court plans to facilitate a “Night of Worship” where students come together to pray and have “community conversations” as Dormus put it. Dormus also will be sharing his personal testimony with students.
He mentioned, “I’m kinda hesitant to share it, but I know that when you share your story and its depth, it helps people to really open up and think about theirs and share with others.”
Miss Oakwood will also be hosting a slumber party for the ladies on campus that same month to foster a connection and foster real relationships. Dormus added, “It’s not always about the initiative or the program, often it’s the relationship, and we want to be available for all students.”
As the semester begins in full swing, the health and wellness of the students at Oakwood University looks to progress as student leaders band together to provide resources and lean on the student body for support. Together they will choose hope for a brighter school year.
Stress balls with encouraging messages for students. Credit: Oakwood University
