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Mental Health Advocate Spotlight: Office of Financial Aid
Suspenders4Hope, a program developed at Wichita State University, is highlighting different departments and individuals on campus who advocate for mental health in hopes that their stories will inspire others to continue supporting each other in the community.
The Financial Aid Office is being recognized for its efforts to alleviate financial stress for students and for being an advocate for mental health awareness on campus and in the community. Hear from Sheelu Surender, executive director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, about how the Office of Financial Aid is supporting mental health.
How does the Financial Aid Office promote the importance of mental well-being on campus and in the community?
We make an intentional effort to remove any stigma surrounding mental health wellness that is often prevalent among the first-generation and underrepresented students we meet with by promoting the Care Team, CAPS, and providing general information about various support services and campus success. We have also introduced a new specialist position in the Financial Aid Office that focuses on students who are at risk of losing their financial aid, to advise them on their options and how to navigate the appeals process to reduce their anxiety about financial aid issues, helping them persist. Our office also proudly wears our Suspenders4Hope t-shirts to promote mental well-being.
How do finances affect a person’s mental health and what does the Financial Aid Office do to help alleviate these effects?
Finances can be one of the main stressors for students. Through Shocker Financial Wellness workshops and one-on-one peer-to-peer coaching, students are provided with tools and resources to manage their college finances and help alleviate financial stress. Based on the institutional priority of access and affordability, our office has continued to increase need-based scholarships and grants to support students who experience a gap between financial aid and costs.
We also offer one-on-one counseling to listen, recognize, and support students who are struggling financially, and we offer loan repayment workshops for seniors and alumni to better understand options for the end of their academic journey.
In the Office of Financial Aid’s efforts to support mental well-being, what positive developments has the Office seen recently?
We saw an increase in participation in the Shocker Financial Wellness program and social media engagement. Students are more encouraged to complete a financial aid appeal due to mental health issues that have prevented them from making Satisfactory Academic Progress. Our office has consolidated the process for unaccompanied homeless youth, assisting these students by providing information packets to navigate their circumstances.
What can others at WSU do to support mental well-being?
The campus community must participate in the prevention of suicide training offered by Suspenders4Hope and continue to destigmatize mental health. It is also important to practice active listening and be aware of available resources. And remember: Share – Ask – Support.
What does Suspenders4Hope mean for Financial Aid Office staff?
Suspenders4Hope’s partnership and advocacy means a lot to our office. Mental well-being and financial well-being go hand in hand and lead to student success. Suspenders4Hope provides trusted resources for students, faculty, staff, and the community and breaks the stigma of mental health.
How does the Financial Aid Office incorporate Suspenders4Hope into its work?
We organized a Suspenders4Hope team training with all employees. This has helped us be more prepared and intentional about incorporating the importance of mental health into our work. We have protocols that provide referrals to the Care Team/CAPS, Shocker Support Locker, and all resources on and off campus to support mental well-being, and we promote mental health with staff and students, specifically through the use of health cards. Wellbeing in our team meetings and passing them on to students.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas’ only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every U.S. state and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and driven by innovation.
Located in the state’s largest city, with one of the largest concentrations in the United States of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs, Wichita State University offers unique and innovative paths of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities. for all our students.
O Innovation Campuswhich is a physical extension of Wichita State University’s main campus, is one of the largest and fastest growing research/innovation parks in the country, spanning over 120 acres and home to numerous global companies and organizations.
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