Author: Sarah Stephens Selmon

Thank you to all students who took the AOD survey and congratulations to red parking spot winner Rueben Scheck.

Request a free set of #WeSupportU mental wellness in the classroom cards from Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS). The cards are designed to give instructors and staff who work with groups of students an easy-to-use mental wellness curriculum to incorporate into their content delivery.

The set includes more than 30 cards that can be used to lead students in short activities designed to increase peer connections and overall well-being. CAPS asks instructors and staff to consider incorporating them into their work with students this semester.

CAPS knows mental health is essential for healthy students and makes them better prepared to be academically successful.

Attend the free #WeSupportU Suspenders4Hope evidence-based training session and receive free CEUs. Hosted in partnership with Sedgwick County and StopSuicideICT, the first 100 registrants will receive a free Suspenders4Hope t-shirt.

The training is scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11 in the Sunflower Room of the Sedgwick County Extension Office, 7001 W. 21st Street North in Wichita.

The training is presented by Dr. Jessica Provines, WSU’s assistant vice president for wellness and chief psychologist. Registration is encouraged but not required.

In collaboration with the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, Wichita State University invites you to attend the #WeSupportU Suspenders4Hope Preventing Suicide Training from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15 at CityArts, 334 N. Mead in Wichita.

This evidence-based workshop geared toward members of the arts community is free to attend and open to the public.

Pizza will be provided, and the first 100 registrants receive a free #Suspenders4Hope t-shirt. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Dr. Aaron Austin, dean of students at Wichita State, recently shared his Story4Hope, to help celebrate World Mental Health day, today, Oct. 10. Story4Hope is part of Wichita State’s Counseling and Preventions Services #Suspenders4Hope program. In this video, learn about Austin’s journey toward wellness through connecting to mental health resources.

The video also details services available on campus and in the community that support mental health.

Students, faculty, staff and campus innovation partners are invtited to register for the second annual Suspenders4Hope 5k and 1-Mile walk beginning at 8 a.m. Oct.1 at the Steve Clark YMCA. The event benefits StopSuicideICT, and is presented by Ascension Via Christi and the Steve Clark YMCA.

Registration and check-in will begin at 8 a.m. Following the race, there will be presentations by several speakers and awards will be given. This part of the event will be hosted by Annette Lawless. The event will conclude with a 1-Mile Memorial Walk in honor of those who lost their lives to suicide.

Wichita State University will partner with Sedgwick County, the City of Wichita and the Wichita Journalism Collaborative to host a free Suspenders4Hope Preventing Suicide Training from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Advanced Learning Library located in downtown Wichita.

This event is free and open to the public, but the training is geared toward community leaders and media influencers. Sedgwick County Commissioner Sarah Lopez, City Councilwoman Maggie Ballard and Ascension Via Christi President Robyn Chadwick will speak during the event. 

The goal of this Suspenders4Hope event is to unify messaging around solution-focused journalism, elevating the message of hope and resiliency when it comes to the topic of mental health and suicide. The training reminds participants that we all have a story to tell. It also teaches about the importance of vulnerability in inspiring others to get help and reduce the stigma of getting help. 

Registration is encouraged but not required. Free pizza and Suspenders4Hope T-shirts will be available to the first 100 members registered.

Welcome new and returning Shockers to the start of what is hopefully a wonderful semester. As your assistant vice president for wellness, I want to welcome you and wish you success and well-being in the new academic year.  

It was 25 years ago when my journey at Wichita State began as a first generation, transfer student. That was a tough year for me with many transitions. Periods of transition and stress make us more vulnerable to problems with our health. It’s important to prioritize self-care and create a balanced lifestyle while navigating the changes of a new school year.

I had lost contact with my support system and put a lot of energy into one relationship, and when that relationship started to have conflict, I found myself experiencing my first clinical depression. Sadly, I had no idea there were quality health services available to me as a student back then. We just didn’t talk about mental health when I was student. Thankfully, I made it through that first semester by getting involved and finding new support.

That’s why WSU developed the Suspenders4Hope program to help create a campus community that supports each other’s well-being, one where we talk about mental health openly, check in on one another, and ask for help early before things get worse. 

I hope you know when you find yourself experiencing challenges with your health, the Student Wellness Center is your resource for all your physical and mental health care needs. Some of the services include free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations,  appointments for acute illnesses, preventative care, individual and group counseling. Quality providers and advanced graduate students are available to assist you at very affordable rates, and we won’t turn any student away for inability to pay.

Asking for help is a sign of strength. It is not a weakness and it will help you reach your goals. During these first weeks, allow yourself to experience all the excitement and anxiety the start of a new semester brings, but take it one step at a time and remember at Wichita State, #WeSupportU!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jessica Provines

Learn how you can help someone in need and spread hope by attending the next Preventing Suicide Training at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 21 at The Phoenix. The training is free for all participants.

The training is presented by Dr. Jessica Provines, Wichita State assistant vice president for Wellness and chief psychologist. All participants will receive a free Suspenders4Hope T-shirt and continuing education credits are available.

May is mental health awareness month. Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS) has designed Mental Wellness for Students cards to promote mental health. Each card includes simple, practical tips that encourage students to engage and connect. Today’s card focuses on belly breathing. Belly breathing is an easy exercise to do and it is very relaxing. Try this anytime you need to relax or relieve stress:

• Sit or lie flat in a comfortable position.
• Put one hand on your belly just below your ribs and the other hand on your chest.
• Take a deep breath in through your nose, and let your belly push your hand out. Your chest should not move.
• Breathe out through your lips as if you were whistling, feel the hand on your belly go in, and use it to push all the air out.
• Do this breathing three to 10 times; take your time with each breath.
• Notice how you feel at the end of the exercise.