It seems that just yesterday you were arriving on campus and now, here we are looking ahead to summer and graduation. You should be so proud of all the things you accomplished this year, both inside and outside of the classroom.
As the semester wraps up, so do our monthly emails — but don’t worry! We will resume them in September. Of course, if you’re graduating – congratulations! We hope you have enjoyed your WVU journey and hope you stay in touch. And remember, “Once a Mountaineer, Always a Mountaineer.”
We hope this new series of monthly emails helped you manage your stress and allowed you to learn more about how to reach out if you need help. We will still be offering services to students this summer (details at the end of this newsletter) so please reach out if you need support or guidance. We hope you have a fantastic summer and wish you all the best on your next steps!
DID YOU KNOW THAT MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH?
Mental Health Month is incredibly important. We often see that mental health has a stigma attached to it, and this can be harmful to those who are struggling with mental health and wellness. The best way to break the stigma is to talk about it and educate others.
What is the stigma? Negative attitudes and misconceptions about people experiencing mental health concerns.
Why is this a problem? It creates a giant roadblock for people seeking help due to worries about others’ perceptions of them. Stigma can create fear and prevent people from seeking the help they want and need.
Let’s NORMALIZE not STIGMATIZE!
- Most of us experience mental health concerns – you’re not in this alone! (In 2021, the National College Health Assessment found almost three-quarters of college students reported moderate to severe psychological distress.)
- Start conversations about mental health and well-being with friends, family, co-workers or your roommate. Try getting comfy talking about the important stuff.
- Attend mental health and well-being workshops on campus. We have some Mental Health 101 trainings available this summer. Students can also ask WELLWVU to come to your student group or organization and present on several topics.
- Spread a message of hope!
- Remember, words can transmit stigma, so always use respectful language when talking about mental health and well-being. This includes when you’re talking with others in person and what you’re posting and sharing on social media. Visit this respectful language website to learn more.
- Always reach out and offer support and resources to anyone you think may be struggling.
RETURNING HOME?
Returning home after being gone so long can be a challenge. You had a glimpse of what it looked like when you returned home for winter or spring break, but this is longer than just a few weeks. Trying to fit back into a space that was previously “you” shaped doesn’t have to be unpleasant. Here are some suggestions to make home a more comfortable environment.
- Set and communicate boundaries with your family. Be open with family and friends and let them know when you need alone time or adjusting time in your space.
- Be realistic about expectations. After being away for a while, relationships with your friends and family — even your room — may feel different (this could be because you have grown too!). Give yourself time to adjust; it could take a while to feel comfortable again.
- Have a plan. It’s important to have a plan for yourself over the summer. Do you want a job or to volunteer? Perhaps get into old or new hobbies. Focus on how you will spend your time this summer.
- Take care of yourself. Above everything, you need to make yourself a priority. Build in time to relax and find balance. Don’t be afraid to seek mental health services as needed, either back home or through the Carruth Center.
SUMMER SERVICES
Students who are enrolled in summer courses or enrolled in courses for the following fall semester are eligible for our services (this excludes graduating students who are enrolled to come back for graduate school; contact the office if you’re unsure about eligibility).
The WVU Carruth Center will be open over the summer from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The Urgent/Crisis Clinic will also be available for students for same-day, urgent appointments from Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Students experiencing mental health emergencies after business hours can call 304-293-4431 to connect with the after-hours crisis line. Carruth also has summer programming available for students.
If you are residing outside West Virginia for the summer and need access to services, you can contact the Carruth Center and one of our clinicians will help you find a provider in your hometown.
Students can also use TalkSpace, a free online therapy service that connects users to a dedicated, licensed therapist. Students can use TalkSpace whether they are in Morgantown or away for summer break.
WELLWVU will be providing services and resources over the summer, including:
- Condom Caravan. WELLWVU offers safer sex supplies to all WVU students, free of charge. Supplies can be ordered and picked up discreetly.
- Fentanyl Test Strips. WELLWVU provides students with fentanyl test strips. No questions asked, no identifying information required and no interaction with anyone during pick-up. Visit our website for more information on how to pick up fentanyl test strips.
- Mental Health 101. These training sessions are 90 minutes long and focus on current national mental health statistics, effective listening skills and an in-depth look at the services provided by the Carruth Center and CARE Team. The sessions also review the warning signs of suicide and allow participants to practice how to safely intervene with students who are in distress. The workshops are open to all WVU students, faculty and staff and have both in-person and virtual options. Visit WELLWVU’s mental health training resources website to learn more about the workshops, see the summer 2024 schedule and to register.