Suspenders4Hope, a program developed at Wichita State University, is highlighting different departments and individuals on campus who are advocates for mental health in hopes that their stories will inspire others to continue supporting one another in the community.

Military and Veterans Services is being recognized for its work in supporting our campus’ military service members and veterans, ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed. Hear from Larry Burks, LTC (R) – US Army, director of Military and Veterans Services, on how the office is supporting mental health.

We provide resources through Veterans Affairs to assist students who share with us that there is need for this assistance. We also have a dedicated “quiet room” specifically set aside for students to use as a safe haven when they are in need of a place to relieve stress that can be encountered on any given day.

Very important. This has been a barrier to the success of military students as noted in many studies. Anything we can do to assist with the relief of this condition is a valuable component of our mission here.

The new Shocker Success Center and the environment it creates. It provides a positive space for students to convene and associate with others with similar backgrounds and experiences.

Support student veterans through acknowledgement of the impact mental health has on this segment of our student population.

It’s a training program that helps you know what to say and do during a mental health crisis. It teaches the Share, Ask, Support method for helping yourself or someone else in need. Making the steps easy to remember and utilize in a moment of emotional distress means it is accessible to the veterans and service members we work with at WSU.

I was happy to help when HOPE Services approached me about working on a military and veterans adaption of the program. We are currently scheduling the first training session of the military and veteran version for our students and staff to better educate them on the importance of this initiative and give them tools that can be used to seek help or assist others (and their peers).

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 state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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