Motlow Named Recovery-Friendly Institution

January 30, 2024

Motlow State Community College recently became a Certified Recovery Friendly Campus, meaning that the institution as a whole has pledged to prioritize meeting its student population’s behavioral health needs. The certification comes from The Tennessee Collegiate Recovery Initiative (TCRI).

The state organization began in 2021 with the mission of providing colleges with resources for aiding their students with any addiction or mental illness struggles they may face. In less than three years, TCRI has managed to work with faculty members on 30 different college campuses to provide on-campus resources for students.

In order for a college to become a Certified Recovery-Friendly Campus, the institution must meet the following requirements:

1. Have faculty members who are willing to be active supporters of on-campus recovery resources.
2. Identify both a faculty member and a student volunteer who are willing to lead recovery efforts.
3. Host training and teaching opportunities that are open to all school personnel or students so that they may learn how they can help or receive help.

“Motlow State and President Dr. Michael Torrence have been strong supporters of the initiative since the very start.  They’ve held four events across three of their largest campuses and shown a true commitment for supporting students,” said Nathan Payne MA, CPRS, Tennessee Collegiate Recovery Initiative Director. “We’re proud to lift up Motlow State as a Certified Recovery Friendly campus because they’ve truly shaped a culture where students feel comfortable seeking support from the readily available on-campus counseling resources while creating a whole workforce of individuals who feel comfortable and confident to refer students to these resources.”

According to Executive Vice President for Student Success Dr. Brelinda Johnson, “Motlow State is committed to supporting our students holistically. The Collegiate Recovery Initiative is one example of our efforts to meet students where they are and provide connection, care, and community for them along their educational and life journey. We plan to have a student organization that will work with a faculty advisor to continue the work."

Motlow’s Moore County, McMinnville, Fayetteville, and Smyrna sites have licensed therapists available to all students for no charge. If long-term care is necessary, Motlow’s therapists will connect students to additional resources and healthcare professionals. Interested students may contact counseling@mscc.edu to learn how to schedule an appointment.

This is the next step in Motlow’s mission to provide students with the resources they need to thrive, inside and outside the classroom. Motlow also partners with non-profits such as Mental Health is Health, The Jed Foundation, and Half of Us to provide students with multiple assistance options. Visit https://www.motlow.edu/students/counseling/index.html to see the full array of available mental health resources available at Motlow.