Space for open conversations, empathy, and understanding
The Blue Knight Peer Support Group at Dakota County Technical College provides a space for open conversations, empathy, and understanding. The group fosters a stigma-free environment where students stand united as Blue Knights to support each on their academic and career journeys. Working together, students in the group cultivate a setting where they support one another.
The Blue Knight Peer Support Group is led by Bethany Mejia-Elias, Student Senate president and lead student ambassador at DCTC. Bethany reported that the group meets in person on campus Tuesdays, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. in Room 2-143 (during fall semester 2024).
Maggie Erickson, MS, LADC, LPCC, a mental health therapist at DCTC, supports the group through her work in the college’s Office of Basic Needs & Well-Being. Maggie mentioned that access is important for all participants. Students who anticipate needing accommodations to fully participate in this program are encouraged to contact Educational Access and Disability Resources at accessibility@dctc.edu or or 651-423-8469.
The Blue Knight Peer Support Group next meets in spring semester 2025 on Tuesday, January 14, 11 a.m. – noon in Room 2-143. The group will then continue to meet on Tuesdays at that new time.
Maggie Erickson, MS, LADC, LPCC
Maggie Erickson
Mental Health Therapist
Maggie specializes in working with people who have substance abuse issues, eating disorders, and trauma. Because of her work in co-occurring programs, she has experience with a variety of diagnosis and treatment modalities. She has worked in the field for more than ten years and has experience with individuals from diverse backgrounds, incomes, sexualities, and genders. Her style is compassionate, direct, and warm.
Maggie wants the students she meets to feel safe and validated. She believes in challenging ourselves in safe spaces to grow, learn, and change to meet our goals. She holds an M.S. in Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology and a B.S. in Business Administration-Service Management from the University of Wisconsin–Stout. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor, and BBHT-approved supervisor-LADC through the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
Q & A
Who was originally inspired to create the Blue Knight Peer Support Group?
The Blue Knight Peer Support Group was created by a former student now alumni, Jake Young-Zabrocki. Jake noticed a need for students to have a place where they can talk about deeper issues and support one another. He did the groundwork for creating and spearheading the program in spring semester 2024. The Office of Basic Needs and Well-Being has sponsored the support group and supported its members through various efforts and coaching.
What advice would you give students hesitant about contacting the Office of Basic Needs & Well-Being?
Asking for help or talking with new people can always be intimidating, but we truly are just people who want to help students in any way we can. We have flexibility in our office because we don’t charge or bill insurance, so we can meet with students for whatever they need. A lot of times they meet with us and aren’t quite sure what they need yet, and we can work together to figure out some goals and resources that would help them be successful on whatever path they are aiming for.
What is the most rewarding part of your job as a mental health therapist?
Being a therapist gives us this inside look at people’s lives that is incredibly rewarding and purposeful. We are a small pebble on an individual’s path in life, but it’s really such a blessing to see people learn more about themselves, challenge themselves, and grow and evolve into better versions of themselves.
Bethany Mejia-Elias
Bethany Mejia-Elias
Student Senate President
Student Lead Ambassador
Blue Knights Peer Support Group Leader
Bethany is a first-generation college student earning her A.S. in Individualized Studies at DCTC. Bethany will be graduating in spring 2025 with plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
“My goal is to become a licensed therapist and work with children,” she said, “but my dream is to be a psychologist and work on psychological assessments for youth.”
Bethany has earned one Business department certificate at DCTC, Human Resource Management. She is an exceedingly engaged student on campus, participating in the Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA), Rotaract Club, and We:LEAD. She also serves as president of the Student Senate and is a lead student ambassador.
When asked what advice would she give students thinking about joining student clubs and/or organizations on campus, Bethany said, “Like Nike’s tagline says, ‘Just Do It,’ because you don’t know what you will be missing! Being involved on campus has given me a DCTC purpose and has helped me create a network of support on campus. My involvement on campus has improved my grades, mental health, and relationships!”
Learn more about Bethany by reading her student spotlight story on DCTC News.
Q & A
What inspired you to take on the role of the student leading the Blue Knight Peer Support Group?
What inspired me to take on the role as a leader was seeing the need that needed to be fulfilled. Once Jake graduated, the role was left vacant, so I figured I would take on the role. Besides noticing a need for community, I am also passionate about mental health, and I hope to one day become a licensed Christian therapist.
What advice would you give students thinking about joining the group?
I would tell students interested in the group to join us. I think of it as ripping off a bandaid—it can seem scary at first, but once you remove it the healing process speeds up. I’d also tell students that it’s okay to feel emotions when you first join because we were all there once a upon a time. Some finals thoughts and words I would share with students is that the group is a welcoming community, and we are waiting for them to join!
What is the most rewarding part of your role leading the group?
The most rewarding part of leading the group is seeing students create their community. Seeing the students become vulnerable and comfortable with one another warms my heart. Lastly, seeing students progress in their mental health journey is my absolute favorite part of it all.
More about the Office of Basic Needs & Well-Being
The Office of Basic Needs & Well-Being supports students with barriers, challenges, and life stressors that arise while on their educational journey at DCTC. The mental health staff meet with students to discuss the challenges they are facing and then assists in finding basic needs resources, solutions and supports so that students can achieve their goals.
Mantra Health Free Virtual Mental Health Services
Our campus has partnered with digital mental health provider Mantra Health to bring students high-quality, free, virtual mental health care. These services are free for students and include wellness courses, peer support, wellness coaching, therapy, in-the-moment support, and 24/7 crisis support.Resources
- Mental health
- Financial assistance
- Housing
- Food support
- Self-help
- Transportation
- Child care and parenting
- Physical health
- Legal services
- Technology
- Domestic and sexual violence
- Substance use resources
- Internet connection/Wi-Fi hotspot options
Learn more about the Office of Basic Needs & Well-Being at DCTC by contacting:
Maggie Erickson
Mental Health Therapist
margaret.erickson@dctc.edu
651-423-8224Beth Pitchford
Mental Health Therapist
elizabeth.pitchford@dctc.edu
651-423-8217
Learn more about the Blue Knight Peer Support Group at DCTC by contacting:
Bethany Mejia-Elias
Individualized Studies Major
Student Senate President/Student Lead Ambassador/Blue Knights Peer Support Group Leader
Dakota County Technical College
bethany.mejia-elias@go.dctc.edu
Maggie Erickson, MS, LADC, LPCC
Mental Health Therapist
Dakota County Technical College
maggie.erickson@dctc.edu
651-423-8224
Maggie Erickson and Bethany Mejia-Elias
