Classroom Well-Being
Overwhelmingly, faculty care about their students’ well-being and want to provide support. However, it can be difficult to know how to support students in a way that also maintains credibility for their course. This presentation will offer ideas on small and large adjustments to consider that addresses student health and well-being. We invite faculty and staff to come share their strategies to incorporate and promote well-being in the classroom.
Guideposts
- Everything we offer is optional. We invite you to consider them.
- Every option will not work for every class. Only you know what will work for your classes.
- Everyone is on a different journey.
- It’s okay to start small.
- This is the beginning of the discussion.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Recording of the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) session on Suicide Prevention, presented during Spring Convocation 2021.
Antiracist Resources during COVID-19
The Multicultural Resource Center have pulled together two collections of resources to assist in teaching and learning about the impacts of COVID-19 and the George Floyd Movement on all of us, and in particular on our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
Classroom presentation options
An easy way to incorporate health and wellbeing is to let campus partners to the work for you! When you’re not able to be present for the class while attending a conference or personal conflict, it’s the perfect time to schedule a presentation.
Health and Wellness Resources on campus
- An overview of the services available to students related to health and wellness. Includes information on: SCSU Medical Clinic, Counseling and Psychological Services, Wellness Coaching, UChoose and Healthy Huskies, Recovery Resource Center, Student Accessibility Services, Campus Rec, Husky P.A.W., etc.
- Presentation length: 30 minutes. (Offered face to face, synchronous or asynchronous)
- Schedule a presentation: recovery@stcloudstate.edu
UChoose
UChoose is an evidence-based prevention effort that focuses reducing high-risk alcohol use, and empowering students to make informed choices about alcohol and other drugs.
- Presentation for students: students will learn about why people choose to drink, standard drink size, how the body reacts to alcohol, and tips to help them make informed choices if they choose to consume alcohol. Length: 45 minutes (Offered face to face or synchronous. Asynchronous options can be discussed)
- UChoose Information for Faculty & Staff:The negative academic impacts students experience as a result of higher use and abuse of alcohol can include: more missed classes, less time spent studying, & lower GPAs. Lowering student alcohol consumption is one effective way to increase academic success. The U-Choose page has helpful information specifically for faculty and staff.
- More information: uchoose@stcloudstate.edu or schedule a presentation.
Hey, You Okay?
Hey, You Okay? is a campus-wide initiative designed to assist students, faculty and staff feel better equipped to start a conversation with someone they are concerned about. Two presentation options:
- Brief presentation that covers the 5 “Hey, You Okay?” steps and available mental health resources. Length: 20 minutes. (Offered face to face, synchronous, or asynchronous)
- Presentation that offers discussion and activities to go further with the Hey, You Okay message. Ideal for groups that have already been exposed to the Hey, You Okay message. Length: 45-50 minutes (Offered face to face or synchronous)
- More about Hey, You Okay?
- Schedule a presentation: recovery@stcloudstate.edu
Recovery Ally Training
- The Recovery Ally program trains faculty, staff, and students to be supportive of students in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Participants will gain the skills and confidence needed to provide support to those impacted by substance use disorder through words, actions and advocacy and become knowledgeable of the resources available to students in recovery at SCSU and the St. Cloud community. Length: 45-50 minutes (face to face or synchronous)
- More about the Recovery Resource Center
- Schedule a training: recovery@stcloudstate.edu
QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)
- QPR is designed to help you help someone who may be considering suicide. This presentation will discuss signs of someone considering suicide, ways to address your concerns with the individual, as well as campus and community resources. Much like CPR, the fundamentals of QPR are easily learned. And like CPR, the application of QPR may save a life. Length: 50-90 minutes (face to face or synchronous)
- Schedule a training: recovery@stcloudstate.edu
Recommended Syllabus Statement
Student Accessibility Services Accessibility Statement
An affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, and educator, St. Cloud State University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and education opportunity and works to provide reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities.
If you have a disability, or think you may have a disability, you may want to contact Student Accessibility Services to begin the conversation or request official accommodations.
Make an appointment: Contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) by calling 320-308-4080 or stop by Centennial Hall 202.
More information: SAS website.
SCSU Medical Clinic
Our medical team helps students manage their health in a way that contributes to their academic success. We have a team of board-certified medical doctors and nurse practitioners caring for students. Students receive quick access and thorough care with the convenience of on-site lab and same or next day appointments.
Top reasons students visit: illness and injury, mental health, physicals, immunizations, and sexual health.
More information: SCSU Medical Clinic website
Make an appointment: myhealthservices.stcloudstate.edu (login required), 320-308-3191 or stop by Eastman Hall, 2nd floor.
UChoose & Recovery Resource Center
Throughout the semester you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning and may lead to diminished academic performance. St. Cloud State University provides services to assist you in addressing these issues.
If you need more information about issues relating to alcohol or other drugs, please contact UChoose & the Recovery Resource Center at uchoose@stcloudstate.edu or 320-308-4179.
More Information: UChoose page - Recovery Resource Center website
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS offers same day crisis care, individual, couples, group therapy, and case management, all using a Brief Therapy Model. We have a content rich website with self-assessments and information on a wide variety of mental health related topics.
Stop in at Eastman Hall 305 to make an appointment or contact us at 320-308-3171.
2 minute wellness activities to begin class
Start your class with an activity that encourages stress reduction and wellbeing. Using a different activity every week exposes your students to a wide variety of activities, whereas using the same one (or same few) creates a habit.
Breathing
- Calm: Breath Bubble
- Calm: Take a Deep Breath
- Total three minutes
Mindfulness
- Mindful Breaks: 2 minute re-centering mindfulness meditation for de-stressing
Yoga
- Seated Yoga
- Video is six minutes long, if you start at the beginning, there is a good natural break at 2:10
- Video is six minutes long, if you start at the beginning, there is a good natural break at 2:10
- Yoga with Adrienne: Yoga for the Classroom
- Full video is 10 minutes. Try sections:
- 0:30- 2:21
- 3:00- 4:28
- 4:30- 5:13
- Full video is 10 minutes. Try sections:
Affirmations
- Sandz: 33 positive affirmations for kids self-esteem
- Intended for young children, but content is applicable for all.
- Video is 4 minutes long. Consider using from the beginning to 1:09.
Assignments incorporating wellness
These are a handful of ideas to be used as assignments or extra credit. We invite you to share other assignments that incorporate wellness as inspiration for other faculty.
Self-Introduction
- Write one paragraph self-introduction telling us a little about yourself academically (year, major, other courses within the major taken), as well as personally (interests, hobbies, etc.)
- Upload a picture: Go to your D2L home (after you’ve logged in) and click on the “profile” button on the left side of the screen. Add a picture to your profile; if can be a profile picture (headshot) or a full photo, if you want.
- What are you grateful for? (3 things)
- Savoring: the act of stepping outside of an experience to review and appreciate it. In a day or two, think about what positive experience you have savored. If you haven’t practiced this before, just try. You can share your experience with us. If it is too personal, you don’t need to share it. Just let us know that you tried.
- Upload a video of you introducing yourself: you can use Zoom or your own phone camera. You have options to upload your video in your post by using the symbol above for “insert stuff”. If the video is too long, you many need to save it in your OneDrive and share the link. Try to limit your video to 1 minute max. Do not worry about the quality of your video. It is better to have a video than no video.
Provided by Dr. Mónica García-Pérez, Economics
Campus Engagement
Students must participate in 4 different types of campus events during the semester. They can participate in any events of their choosing so long as there is at least one from each of the following categories: wellness, academic, spirit and diversity/cultural. At the end of the term, students will write a reflection on their engagement with the college community.
Provided by Dr. Christine Metzo, University College
Participate in Wellness Coaching
- Attend a minimum of 3 Wellness Coaching appointments throughout the semester.
- Students are asked to submit a 2-3 page reflection paper answering the following questions: Discuss what it was like to be a client for Wellness Coaching. How has this experience helped you in your personal and/or professional development? What about this experience has had the most impact on you?
Provided by Jennifer Waletzko Johnson, Alcohol and Other Drug Programs and Adjunct faculty in Community Health
Email wellbeing assignment examples to: hlthpro@stcloudstate.edu
Campus Resources for Healthy Huskies
A concise listing of Health and Wellness Resources and their offerings on campus all in one place.
Use this listing to:
- Provide referrals to students in need of assistance
- Provide link on D2L and department webpages
10 ways to promote well-being in your class
Curriculum infusion ideas that address mental health
- 10 ways incorporate wellbeing practices into your curriculum: addressing mental health into the classroom
St. Cloud State University, Convocation presentation, January 2021
Well-being assessments
Research and Theory on Well-being in Higher education
- Azusa Pacific University, Dr. Laurie Schriener: Thriving Quotient
- Keyes, C. L. M. (2007). Promoting and protecting mental health as flourishing: A complementary strategy for improving national mental health. American Psychologist, 62(2), 95–108. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.62.2.95
- Thomas University, Center for College Sleep: Sleep and Mental Health
- Carleton College, Office of Health Promotion: Neuroplasticity
- The importance of mindfulness in the classroom