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A Blog for Future Shockers

Shockers Helping Shockers - Prevention and Health Services on Campus

Sept. 16, 2022
By Rebecca Haverkamp

Rebecca Haverkamp

Rebecca is a senior studying Biomedical Engineering. She is a member of Shockappella, a Prevention Ambassador and a Student Engagement Intern in the Office of Admissions.

"Love" by Robert Indiana on the Wichita State campus.

In honor of September being National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, I want to provide some of the best ways to check in on your friends. “Checking in” can look like a lot of different things. Whatever method works for one friend may not be the same as the method that will work with another friend. Your limits on what you are willing to do can be different for each friend and that’s okay! Below, I have provided a list of some great ways to check in on your friends:

Send a text message

You don’t have to get into details, just let them know that you’re there to listen and thinking about them.

Just listen

Your friend may just need to vent, so provide a listening ear without trying to step in or give advice.

Advice giving

Ask your friend directly if they are looking for advice or just an ear to listen. If they ask for advice, know your limits.

Offering resources

As a Wichita State student, you have multiple resources available for you! These include:

    • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a wide array of services to Shockers and is the go-to for confidential, affordable mental health treatment, training and prevention on campus. CAPS has information designated for crisis intervention, and also offers suicide prevention training for Shocker students, faculty/staff, and community members. Located in the Student Wellness Center inside the Steve Clark YMCA on Wichita State's main campus, CAPS can be reached at 316-978-4SWC (4792). Be sure to follow them on social media @ShockerCAPS.
    • Also located in the Student Wellness Center, Student Health Services (SHS) provides Shockers health care ranging from routine and preventative care to managing acute illnesses and minor injuries. The list of services offered by SHS is extensive, but a few of note include physical consultations, mental health medication, health promotion and immunizations. Reach out to SHS at (316) 978-4SWC (4792)  or student.health@wichita.edu.

I want to leave you with a couple last pieces of advice before applying these steps — just remember, your job as a friend is not to be a psychologist. Your job as a friend is to be there for them. It’s okay to tell them you are uncomfortable giving them advice about something, but remember that Wichita State offers resources that will better help them.

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