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.

The Shocker Store is being recognized as a mental health advocate for its support of the Suspenders4Hope program by offering the Suspenders4Hope T-shirts for sale, with proceeds directly benefiting HOPE Services, and by serving as a hub for resources for Shockers on campus.

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The Shocker Store at Wichita State University plays a prominent role in championing the Suspenders4Hope mental wellness resources available on campus. Its efforts extend to supporting store staff and the broader campus community. Through its active participation in the Suspenders4Hope campaign, the Shocker Store helps create a campus environment where mental health is openly discussed and prioritized by promoting and selling related merchandise.

The Shocker Store's involvement with Suspenders4Hope significantly contributes to the mental health support available to students and other campus employees. A key aspect of this support is through the sale of Suspenders4Hope T-shirts and other items, with a portion of the proceeds directly benefiting Wichita State's Health Outreach and Prevention Education (HOPE) Services. This funding helps sustain and expand the mental health services offered to the entire campus.

It’s also a destination for Shockers seeking resources on campus to support them, such as finding snacks for those late study nights, over the counter health products for students in need and being a place for students to buy Shocker merchandise, strengthening their sense of community and belonging.

Shocker Store staff, like all WSU employees, are encouraged to engage with the available Suspenders4Hope resources, including free online mental health and wellness screenings and evidence-based training programs like the #WSUWeSupportU Mental Wellness and Preventing Suicide training. This initiative equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to recognize mental distress, reduce stigma and increase their confidence in assisting themselves or others in mental health crises. These efforts combine to foster a more supportive workplace for the Shocker Store team.  

By highlighting suicide prevention awareness month in September, promoting events like "Suspenders Fridays" and making these symbolic shirts readily accessible, the Shocker Store actively helps to normalize conversations around mental health. This visibility encourages students and other employees to access resources, participate in trainings and build a community of mutual support.

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Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (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 National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.

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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