When the new Wichita State University Student Wellness Center opened on campus a year ago in January, Student Health Services (SHS) and Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS) staff couldn’t have known how important having a bigger and improved facility would be for providing essential physical and mental health services in the midst of a pandemic. 

Student Health Director Camille Childers and Assistant Vice President of Wellness and Director of CAPS Dr. Jessica Provines believe the new Student Wellness Center building has been essential in carrying out health services for students amidst the coronavirus pandemic. 

“If Student Health had remained in Ahlberg Hall, we would not have been able to remain open to provide services,” Childers said. “The space in Ahlberg was much smaller and limited, and there was not enough space to stay safe in our own work environment.”

In the Student Wellness Center, staff can physically distance in the lobby, and there is even enough space to have dedicated COVID-19 rooms.

“When the YMCA closed initially, we were able to stay open by bringing people through the back door. This new space was the whole reason why Student Health was able to remain open and offer routine services throughout 2020,” Childers said.

Childers and Provines also credit the new space for increasing SHS’ and CAPS’ accessibility and visibility. 

“Throughout the pandemic, students needed our services,” Childers said. “This beautiful building and the resources offered made it possible for students to see us and feel like they wanted to come here.”

Childers said she is increasingly thankful the Student Wellness Center offers accessible parking, a drive-thru space for medication refills, well-lit examination rooms and a welcoming atmosphere, because these features make students more comfortable.

Another benefit to the new space is that there are more opportunities for student practicum and applied learning.

“For the first time in a long time, we hired students to work at the front desk, and we also had some nurse practitioner students complete some practicum here,” Childers said.

Provines said, overall, the new space allows for a more holistic approach to health and wellness for students on campus.

“Having mental health, a physical health facility and medical services all in the same building allows for better coordination and an overall healthier student body at Wichita State,” Provines said.

Since the pandemic began, both SHS and CAPS have seen a considerable increase in telehealth visits. 

When the university made the sudden switch to remote work and learning in March, Provines said, CAPS transitioned seamlessly, and their services never stopped. 

“We were able to start getting our telehealth services in place prior. When it happened, we were there and ready to go, and students never missed any treatment,” Provines said.

Although their services are all currently remote, Provines is looking forward to the days when CAPS can host student group therapy sessions in the new group room within the Student Wellness Center and when students can make connections and feel less alone through counseling services.

Childers and Provines believe telehealth will continue to be an option for students following the pandemic. 

“Telehealth allows for distance learners to have more access to mental health services that are similar to the services our on-campus students have,” Provines said.

The SHS and CAPS staff has worked long hours and days to continue providing care to Wichita State students. 

“Things are constantly changing, and they are working in a state of gray all the time. The biggest thing we’ve learned is how to pivot quickly and change things as needed,” Childers said.

Childers said there’s not a day that goes by that a SHS staff member doesn’t say, “I’m so glad we are here.”

“We have the ability to grow here, to look forward and to focus on what we want to do. My guiding factor is to focus on service first; to focus on service to the students and to the campus – how we can educate and how we can grow,” Childers said. “We are looking forward to truly spreading our wings in this building.”