Suspenders4Hope, a program developed at Wichita State University, spotlights different sectors and individuals on campus who are mental health advocates, with the hope that their stories will inspire others to support one another in their communities.
The Financial Aid Office has been recognized for its efforts in reducing financial stress for students and raising mental health awareness on campus and in the community. Sheelu Surender, Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, shares how the Financial Aid Office supports mental health.
How does the financial aid office promote the importance of mental health on campus and in the community?
We intentionally strive to eliminate stigma around mental health wellness by promoting our Care Teams and CAPS and providing general information about the various support and success services on campus, which is common among the first-generation and underrepresented students we meet. We also bring new professionals into the Financial Aid Office to focus on students at risk of losing their financial aid and educate them on their options and how to navigate the appeals process to help ease anxiety around financial aid issues and help them persist. In our office, we proudly wear Suspenders4Hope t-shirts to promote mental health.
How do finances affect a person’s mental health, and what is the financial aid office doing to mitigate those effects?
Finances can be one of the biggest stressors for students, and through Shocker Financial Wellness workshops and individualized peer-to-peer coaching, students are provided with tools and resources to manage their college finances and reduce financial stress. Based on the institution’s priority of access and affordability, our office continues to increase need-based scholarships and grants to support students with financial aid and cost gaps.
We also provide one-on-one advising to listen, acknowledge and support students who are experiencing financial difficulties, and we offer loan repayment workshops for senior and graduating students to help them better understand their options at the end of their studies.
What positive developments have you seen recently in your efforts to support mental health in financial aid offices?
We are seeing increased participation in the Shocker Financial Wellness program and social media engagement. Students whose academic performance has been hampered by mental health issues are being encouraged to proactively apply for scholarships. Our office is helping these students by integrating our processes for unaccompanied homeless youth and providing them with information packets to help them navigate their situation.
What can others at WSU do to support mental health?
Our campus community must continue to eliminate the stigma around mental health by participating in suicide prevention trainings offered by Suspenders4Hope, actively listening and being aware of the resources available to us, and remember to share, ask, and support.
What does Suspenders4Hope mean to financial aid office staff?
Our partnership and support with Suspenders4Hope means a lot to our office. Mental health and financial wellness go hand in hand and lead to student success. Suspenders4Hope provides trusted resources for students, faculty, staff, and the community to break down the stigma around mental health.
How are financial aid offices incorporating Suspenders4Hope into their work?
We held Suspenders4Hope staff training for all employees, which helped us to be more prepared and conscious about incorporating the importance of mental health into our work. We have protocols in place to send referrals to our Care Team/CAPS, Shocker Support Lockers, and all resources on and off campus to support mental health. We also promote mental health among staff and students by using wellness cards in team meetings and distributing them to students.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas’ only urban public research university, with more than 23,000 students enrolled at its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State University and WSU Tech are known for being student-centered and innovation-driven.
Located in the largest city in a state with the highest concentration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs in the United States, Wichita State University offers all students a unique, distinctive and innovative pathway to applied learning, applied research and career opportunities.
A physical extension of Wichita State University’s main campus, the Innovation Campus is one of the largest and fastest growing research and innovation parks in the nation, spanning over 120 acres and home to numerous global companies and organizations.
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