As we approach the end of the semester and the added stress of finals season, the Care Team would like to remind everyone that we’re here to help. The campus community is the Team’s eyes and ears, and we hope you will all continue to let us know when you’re concerned about someone’s well-being.
The data shows that for the months of August and September, the number of Care cases reported is up 67% from the same time period last year. The most common presenting concern is anxiety, which may worsen as we approach the end of the semester. Some signs that someone is living with anxiety and may need some help:
- Avoidance and reluctance to participate
- Procrastination
- Visible distress
- Changes in sleep habits
- Changes in eating habits
- Psychosomatic issues (headaches, stomachaches, back, neck, and/or shoulder pain)
- Social isolation
- Stronger emotional responses than seem appropriate for the situation, including panic
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Maladaptive coping strategies (alcohol or other substance use, overuse of technology)
If you believe someone on campus is living with anxiety, here are some things you can do to help:
- Ask how they’re doing. Knowing someone cares can be very helpful for any kind of distress. It can also help you to learn more about the situation
- Express concern. It’s okay to tell someone you’re worried about them. It can be helpful to list specific areas of concern, such as an incident of visible distress, changes in behavior, or poor attendance.
- Talk resources. There are many resources available on campus, including Counseling and Prevention Services, Disability Services, and, of course, Care Team.
- Contact the Care Team. We can be reached at wichita.edu/care or 316-978-3149.
If you’re concerned about a member of our campus community, please don’t hesitate to submit a concern. If you’d like to learn more about Care Team, our next training will be Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. You can sign up in myTraining in myWSU.
We appreciate our campus community and all that you do. Thank you for helping us create a community of Caring at Wichita State!