At St. John’s University, emotional and physical well-being is a vital part of the student experience from day one to graduation.
In this blog, you will discover some of the excellent health and wellness resources available to students, hearing directly from the professionals who provide them.
2. Mental Health Support: Counseling and Psychological Services
Whether you’re feeling anxious, burned out, or simply going through a tough season, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides a welcoming, confidential space for students to talk through whatever’s on their mind. And it’s all offered at no additional cost.
Jonathan W. Dator, Ph.D., MSCP, CGP, a licensed psychologist and director of CAPS, notes that students visit his office with a diverse range of issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship stress, and acute mental health crises.
“No concern is too large or too small,” he explained. “We see students for everything from life transitions to mental health emergencies requiring hospitalization. The common thread is adjustment—and we’re here to help with that.”
That adjustment period is especially real for first-year students as they navigate everything from living on their own to meeting academic expectations.
“Change is hard for all of us,” he noted. “Sometimes it hits us before it happens, sometimes in the middle of the transition, and sometimes near the end.”
CAPS offers short-term individual counseling, group sessions, workshops on mindfulness and stress, and referrals to outside providers when needed. Crisis support is also available.
3. Building Healthy Habits for College Life: Wellness Education and Prevention Services
Building healthy habits is key to staying balanced and focused throughout college. Through Wellness Education and Prevention Services, students can learn practical strategies to care for their physical, mental, and emotional health from day one.
“From sleep hygiene and nutrition to stress reduction and healthy relationships, workshops and campus events cover a wide range of student needs,” said Megan Johnson, Director of Wellness Education and Prevention Services.
Popular events include the Annual Wellness Fair in the fall, which is focused on mental health and suicide prevention, and the Annual Health Fair in the spring, which highlights physical wellness through nutrition tips, fitness, and health screenings.
“Our most requested workshops are Stress Management and Alcohol Risk Reduction,” she explained. “The Stress Management presentation focuses not only on strategies, but also on how to make stress management a priority—and the benefits it can have on your overall quality of life.”
Wellness Education and Prevention Services also meet students in everyday spaces through regular outreach. Whether it’s a quick visit to the Wellness Gazebo, or a conversation with a Wellness Peer Educator at a tabling event, students can stop by, pick up a new skill or tip, and walk away with a tangible tool to support their well-being.
“Our outreach events are short, but impactful,” Ms. Johnson shared. “In just five minutes, a student can learn about a wellness topic, take an actionable step, and leave with something that supports their health.”
Students also have the option to meet privately with a wellness coach—a trained graduate assistant who helps them explore their motivators, identify barriers, and create real-life strategies to improve their well-being.
4. A Safe, Supportive Space: SOAR
College is a time of exploration—of identity, relationships, and independence. But for many students, it can also bring questions they don’t know how to ask and situations they didn’t expect. That’s where SOAR (Sexual Violence Outreach, Awareness, and Response) comes in.
SOAR is dedicated to helping students feel safe, heard, and supported—whether they’re navigating harm, supporting a friend, or simply learning what healthy relationships look like.
“Through prevention education, confidential care, and creative programming, SOAR helps students take ownership of their well-being in a way that feels both empowering and compassionate,” said Danielle DiNapoli, a licensed social worker and the Director of SOAR.
One of SOAR’s most unique offerings is the Campus Support Advisor (CSA)—a confidential resource for any student impacted by sexual or dating harm. Unlike most University employees, the CSA is not a mandated reporter.
“That means students can talk to us without triggering a report,” she explained. “Sometimes, people just need to share their story with someone who will listen without judgment—someone who doesn’t know them or the person who hurt them. That space matters.”
Whether a student needs help navigating class absences, wants to change their residence hall, or simply needs someone to walk them through their options, the CSA role is flexible and student-led.
Beyond confidential support, SOAR offers trauma-informed gentle yoga sessions every Tuesday—designed as a low-pressure space for students (and even faculty, administrators, and staff) to reconnect with themselves and destress.
SOAR also hosts creative, engaging events throughout the year—from their camp-themed Healthy Relationships Fair to Turn Off the Violence, a month-long initiative during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. With activities like interactive games, themed stations, and community-building moments (yes, including fries and ice cream), the goal is to make conversations about consent and safety approachable—not intimidating.
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