With nearly half of K-State students reporting loneliness, Cats Connect offers a space for support, friendship, and belonging.
We rely heavily on our relationships for happiness and structure. Our friends and family listen to and help solve our problems and celebrate every success with us. But, when we lack social connections, our mental health often takes a turn for the worse.
In a survey of 1,300 K-State students, 45% said they have experienced loneliness in the past 12 months.
For some student, finding their “people” can be challenging, especially on a larger campus. Cats Connect, a student facilitated program, creates opportunities for students to find community and overcome loneliness.
At K-State, we have an organization specifically designed to combat loneliness and isolation. Cats Connect helps students build meaningful relationships. In small groups, participants meet regularly to share experiences, support one another and form lasting connections.
How does Cats Connect work?
At the beginning of the semester, students introduce themselves and their backgrounds and get to know each other. They meet up for community activities and watch motivational videos with discussions afterward.
Cats Connect is a crucial program for international and freshman students to use, especially if they are struggling to find a community. Students are encouraged to share their challenges with each other, and the rest of the group lends a listening ear and sympathetic solutions.
“Cats Connect is where I made my first friendships, and we still talk today,” said Antoinette Dadzie, a Cats Connect participant. “I was very comfortable in class, and we all connected very well. There’s a sense of belonging there.”
Cats Connect professors are often very involved in their students’ lives, checking in on them frequently and encouraging the use of campus mental health resources when needed. Cats Connect opens doors for students to form lasting and meaningful relationships; gain new knowledge about K-State and discover more about themselves.
“Freshman and international students should 100% take this class because it helps you find your feet and start your social journey,” Dadzie said. “You can reconnect with yourself and get engaged in the larger community.”