Through small acts of kindness, new wellness center teacher Vanessa Klein wants to pay it forward in hopes of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and creating a more positive outlook on mental health-related issues amongst the Buena community. 

“Klein is very motivated, helpful and positive,” junior Thasmea said. “She’s really goal driven and has been adjusting really well, and keeping on track of everything.”

The wellness center, a building located behind the swimming pools on campus, is a safe place for those who are having a hard time, are stressed out, or are struggling with mental health-related matters such as stress, anxiety, depression, or simply want or need someone to talk to.

“The ultimate goal is to help people understand that [mental health] is something that most people are struggling with, and to not have such a negative connotation on mental health,” Klein said. 

Klein mentions that growing up she was surrounded by positive influences and motivators, and had a good connection with her school counselors. Because of their close connection, they were able to guide her into the right direction, and the career she pursued. 

“They were my mentors in life, and [with their help], I was able to get here today and pursue education,” Klein said. “So I want to pay it forward.”

Klein studied at Cal Lutheran and continued her education in Montana at St.Norbert college  where she obtained her bachelor’s in communication and leadership and later went into studying nutrition.

Klein worked as a case manager and social worker for five years, working closely with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) primarily working with adults suffering from severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. And as of January this year, Klein began her journey here on campus.

“ I [felt] really welcomed,” Klein said. “I think that the counseling team here is amazing and [the students] are so lucky to have so much support.”

Klein continues working closely with wellness peers, who dedicate a lot of their time to putting together events for Buena students to enjoy. A couple of weeks ago, the wellness center had “Random Acts of Kindness Day” where they handed out hot chocolate and chocolate mints to students in the quad as a way to spread kindness, and Klein says that there are future events in the works for the weeks to come, and hopes that through these small acts of kindness, students will take after it and spread kindness amongst one another.