Supporting General Wellness

Message from Sislena Grocer Ledbetter
Executive Director, Health and Wellness

Western is on a mission to learn, to be well. Our vision of wellness is evolving and our whole- person focus extends far beyond physical health. In fact, we are committed to expanding the way we think about wellbeing on campus. That includes you! Wellness is more than just avoiding the flu. Wellness is the sum of all aspects of individual and community wellbeing, from building personal resilience to cultivating a safe and supportive campus community for all identities. It is an active, conscious, self-directed, evolving, multidimensional, self-affirming process of making choices to achieve your whole self's potential. 

I am so grateful for the role you have played this year to make sure that Western continues to move forward as best we can amidst this pandemic, renewed racial strife, a contentious political climate, and growing mental health challenges.

This year our campus has thought more about our health and wellbeing, perhaps more than any other. To that end, you have done more than mask-up, wash your hands, and social distance; you've absorbed an additional weight of navigating emotional care for your students and yourselves while remaining dedicated to the academic mission.  

In March of 2020, we asked you to pivot to an all-online environment in less than two weeks. And, you did that, against unbelievable odds. Yes, this past year has been challenging, and you have been there for our students. There are no words to express how much I appreciate your commitment to the success of our community. I hope that as we move forward as an institution, we continue to think about what it means to be well. Consider taking a moment to reflect on what it means to be well. What does radical self-care mean to you? 

There are many dimensions of wellness, ways to achieve wellness, and ways our wellness is impacted by—and contributes to—our larger community's wellbeing. Our goal is to help you discover, learn, and cultivate positive, inclusive, empowering, and sustainable wellness practices at Western and beyond.

Whole-Self Wellness

The links that follow lead to information about dimensions of wellness and the offices and organizations across campus that can help you practice wellness in your life. As you explore these wellness resources, please know that:

  • Self-care is a right, not a privilege, and there is no one way to be well. 
  • Our environment, communities, life experiences and social structures impact our wellness and ability to practice self-care. 
  • You deserve the ability to care for yourself and experience wellness. Without putting energy toward personal health, it can be challenging to support one's community.
  • Your wellness and self-care practices are unique to you—be honest about and honor what works for you.
  • Your community is here. Western as a whole, as well the unique communities within Western, are here to support you.

As we start the winter quarter, we would like to highlight some helpful resources offered by the Counseling Center/Prevention & Wellness Services. This is just a snapshot—please follow @BeWellWWU on Instagram and subscribe to the BeWell newsletter for the latest news and events!

Links for faculty and staff: 

  • The Wise and Well U site offers a range of resources for personal and physical well-being.
  • The Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, confidential program created to promote the health, safety and well-being of public employees.

Wellness Highlights for Your Students:

  • The Counseling Center’s therapy groups are OPEN and actively recruiting for winter quarter! Group themes include mindfulness skills, social confidence, grief, recovery from interpersonal violence, and relationships. Give us a call at 360-650-3164 to learn how to get connected.
  • Need a quick wellness boost? Check out our Wellness Wednesday series! Topics include sexual pleasure, positive self-talk, and boosting your self-care.
  • For anyone looking to connect to holistic support, check out our Virtual Care Packages, including special care packages for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ students.

Remember that your students can access same-day support with a counselor! Same-day phone consultations (360-650-3164) are available Monday-Friday, 10:30 am-4:30 pm PST. After-hours crisis support is available by calling 360-650-3164 and selecting option “1.”