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 School of Music, in the College of Fine Arts, is being recognized as a mental health advocate for its ongoing commitment to student well-being, its leadership in raising awareness and its creative use of music to express the importance of hope, healing and human connection.

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Wichita State’s School of Music has a long-standing tradition of uplifting Shockers both in and beyond the classroom. The faculty and staff incorporate the Suspenders4Hope mission into their daily work, helping students pursue excellence in a way that is emotionally sustainable and supportive of their personal and mental health needs.

A powerful example of this advocacy was the Shocker Choir performance of “Please Stay,” a song composed by Jake Runestad in partnership with suicide prevention nonprofit Hope for the Day. The song, grounded in real messages from individuals who once considered ending their lives, is a musical plea and a reminder to hold on through pain. With lyrics like, “The world is better with you in it,” the performance moved audiences and opened the door to life-saving conversations around suicide prevention and the importance of reaching out.

Faculty in the School of Music are open about their own lived experiences with mental health and suicide, helping reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking. They’ve also welcomed the CARE Team into classrooms, incorporated wellness discussion cards to support regular check-ins and promote the use of Suspenders4Hope free online trainings to build a compassionate and informed campus community.

The School of Music promotes a strong sense of belonging through its many ensembles, offering students both an expressive outlet and a vibrant community. From the inclusive Shocker Sound Machine, which appears at campus events like Shocktoberfest, commencements and games, to studio recitals and community performances, students have meaningful opportunities to connect and share their voice.

“At the School of Music, we believe music isn’t just about performance — it’s about people,” said Dr. Timothy Shade, director of the School of Music. “Supporting mental health is part of how we uphold the dignity of every student. When we create space for expression, connection and vulnerability, we’re doing more than making music — we’re building a community grounded in compassion.”

Through artistic expression, lived experience and meaningful collaboration, the School of Music continues to model what it means to uplift others and be a true mental health advocate at Wichita State University.

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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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