SHAW End of Semester Checklist
We know this time of year is stressful for UWM students, but before you leave for the semester, review this checklist from SHAW to ensure a smooth transition away from campus this summer.

Strategies to Support Student Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

Emotional and mental health challenges are common among college and graduate students and can affect their persistence and success. Employees play an important role in fostering a campus culture of care that promotes student well-being. You do not need to be a mental health professional to make a difference. By showing that mental health matters, expressing care, and helping students connect with resources, you can have a meaningful impact.

The activities and resources below remind employees that you are not alone in supporting students, and that we all have a role to play to promote their well-being and success.

Help Students in Distress

Employees are often the people students turn to when they are struggling. It can feel intimidating and overwhelming to support a student’s emotional health. These resources are intended to make you feel more comfortable and confident in doing so.

  • Bookmark the Red Folder, a guide to help you recognize, effectively respond to and appropriately refer students experiencing varying levels of distress.
  • Schedule 45 minutes on your calendar to complete the online suicide prevention training for employees.
  • Attend a Support U: Fostering a Culture of Support workshop to learn how the Dean of Students Office (DOS) supports students and how to refer, seek assistance for, and connect students in need with DOS Case Managers and other campus resources.
  • When signs of distress are apparent, but the severity is unclear, consult with a professional. Contact the Student Health and Wellness Center counseling staff at 414-229-7429 during business hours or the UW Mental Health Support Line at 888-531-2142 anytime.
  • Complete a Student Support Request/Referral form when a student is experiencing non-imminent but significant distress—such as mental health concerns, severe hardship, medical issues, the loss of a loved one, or other serious personal challenges—and could benefit from direct outreach by a member of the Student Support Team within 24–48 hours.

In situations where there is imminent risk to the safety of a student, you or others, contact the UWM Police Emergency Line at 414-229-9911 or local police. For guidance on handling disruptions in the classroom, see Selected Academic and Administrative Policy 1-5, Behavior Cases Impending Learning Process, and attend a Classroom and Campus Safety Training session.

Communicate about Mental Health Resources for Students

Asking for help when needed is a skill that will serve students all their lives. You can normalize help-seeking behavior by sending a powerful message to students that mental health matters, help is available, and that you can connect them to help.

  • Display SHAW’s Mental Health Resources where students can easily find them. Download the resources in flyer form (PDF) or request 11 x 17″ posters be delivered to you.
  • Talk about mental health. Begin the semester by acknowledging how stressful being a student can feel at times. Remind students of the mental health resources available on campus and that they do not need to wait until they feel severe distress to reach out to you or others for support. Draft an email or course announcement to reiterate the message 4-6 weeks into the semester and during other high-pressure times or charged events.
  • Use the Navigate alert, ‘Would benefit from emotional well-being resources’ to initiate an automated informational email and follow-up text message to students. The alert encourages students to self-select from a spectrum of emotional well-being resources to meet their individual needs. (Note: not appropriate for students in crisis, severe distress or in need of direct outreach.)

Structure Your Plans and Activities with Mental Health in Mind

Another way you can support students’ emotional and mental health is by proactively shaping the environment in which students learn, live, work and play.

  • Support healthy sleep habits with thoughtful deadlines. If using 11:59 pm default deadlines for assignments or submissions, consider moving deadlines to an earlier time so students can prioritize sleep. Healthier sleep supports academic performance and emotional well-being.
  • Help students get to know each other by planning 2-3 short activities for your course or meetings with student groups. Creating opportunities for students to engage with each other helps them build strong social connections, which can increase resilience needed to cope with stressors.
  • Encourage and model self-care activities such as meditation, breathing, movement and other mindfulness activities by incorporating them into your classroom, coursework, meeting or program, especially during high-stress times of the semester. Visit the mindfulness website for ideas and resources.
  • Schedule a wellness program for your students. All employees may select from the Student Health and Wellness Center’s (SHAW) menu of wellness programs. Faculty can also take advantage of the SHAW Don’t Cancel Class wellness programs, which are designed to fit a 50-minute class period.
  • Provide students a heads-up on sensitive topics, readings, trainings or course discussions and provide ways for them to discuss any concerns with you ahead of time.

Self-Care and Support for Employee Well-being

Taking care of yourself is essential to help maintain your physical health and emotional wellbeing. Prioritizing self-care also helps you better handle life challenges and support others around you, including students who may be struggling with mental health issues.

  • Explore the variety of wellness resources to meet you wherever you are on your personal wellness journey on the UWM Wellness Program webpage.
  • Partner with a UWM Health Coach onsite or virtually to achieve your health goals through sustainable lifestyle behaviors. To begin, fill out the interest form or contact Tracy Oles at teo@uwm.edu. Available to all employees regardless of enrollment in the group health insurance plan.
  • Access fitness, sports and recreation classes, programs, equipment and facilities when you become a member of University Recreation. Take advantage of discounted membership options for faculty and staff.
  • Ask for help, especially if you are experiencing difficult emotions like feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or hopeless.
    • UWM’s Employee Assistance Program, though Acentra Health, offers free and confidential short-term counseling and support services to all employees and their family members. Acentra Health is available 24/7 at 833-539-7285 or online at sowi.mylifeexpert.com. Sign in using UWM’s password: SOWI  
    • Managers/supervisors can request management consultation services or critical incident support from Acentra Health and have an EAP professional provide support to employees onsite or virtually. Contact 1-833-539-7285 and ask for the management services team. 
    • Employees enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Plan have access to the Well Wisconsin Program, which includes a variety of wellness resources including mental health support and coaching. Access through the Well Wisconsin Program/WebMD Wellness portal using code SOWI. 
  • Help end stigma surrounding mental illness by participating in a Make it Okay Training. The training opens the door to increased understanding and caring conversations about mental health with a hope to change attitudes and champion a commitment to mental well-being for all. Look for the next offering on the HR events calendar or contact teo@uwm.edu to bring the training to your department. 

Looking for More Ways to Get Involved?

Consider joining the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health or the Campus Cares Committee.
For general questions and more information, email wellness-info@uwm.edu.