WPI opens center to help with students' mental wellness

Worcester Polytechnic Institute has opened a space on campus to help students with mental wellness, following a drastic increase in student suicides over the past two years. The new Center for Well-Being is meant to be a relaxing “oasis” where students can detach from work and decompress. It features zen sand gardens, a water wall, rooms for yoga and meditation, instruction on how to cope with stress, and trained student staff to speak with anyone in need of assistance. Administrators say the center's focus on programming will work in conjunction with the school's existing mental health counseling services.