WeVote

Post-Election Support

A long, divisive election season has added to the challenges of a year compounded by a global pandemic, social unrest and economic instability. It's important to remember once all of the votes are tallied, at the end of the day, we are all Broncos.

Western is a resilient community rich in diversity of backgrounds, experiences and politics. We can learn from each other and support one another. This page contains a number of resources and educational opportunities on campus to help manage social and emotional well-being and physical wellness for students, faculty and staff.

Division of Student Affairs
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5326 USA
(269) 387-2150

 

Click on a category below to find more specific information:

Social and Emotional Well-Being

YOU at Western

YOU at Western is a personalized web portal connecting students to online tools and campus resources to help support their goals to Succeed, Thrive and Matter at WMU. The innovative digital tool promotes self-reflection, allowing students to be more proactive with their health and well-being in order to make the most of their college experience. Launch the platform online.

Counseling Services

Anxious about current events? Know someone who could use some help? Counseling Services offers a number of programs, services and resources to help manage mental health including:

  • WellTrack: Download the self-help app to track your mood over time, identify stressors, intentionally schedule self-care activities and learn about strategies to manage feelings of anxiety, depression and stress. It's a free tool for WMU students, faculty and staff.

Centers for Counseling and Psychological Services

Faculty within WMU's Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology supervise the advanced master's and doctoral degree students studying to be professional counselors and psychologists. Several faculty have expertise in addressing mental health issues. Telehealth counseling is available and the Centers for Counseling and Psychological Services are temporarily waiving fees for that service. Call CCPS at 269-387-5105 for more information or to make an appointment.

Apps

Liberate: Liberate is a meditation app for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community. Content is specifically geared toward experiences of Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color. It is available on Android and iPhone.

The Safe Space: A free app available on Android and iPhone, geared specifically towards the black community, focused on mental health stigma reduction.
Instagram

Phone and Text Lines

  • The Steve Fund: Crisis text support for young People of Color. To access, text “STEVE” to 741 741.
  • DeQH: 908-367-3374  (Peer-run hotline for South Asian/Desi LGBTQ+)
  • www.translifeline.org English: 877-565-8860

Podcasts

Blogs

Self-Care Resources for Students of Color

Online Healing Spaces and Resources

Registered Student Organizations

Physical Wellness

Student Recreation Center

Physical activity can help relieve stress and anxiety and build a sense of community. The SRC is offering a number of opportunities to get active, both in-person and virtually including:

Fitness Classes: From yoga and cycling to Zumba cardio-dance classes, there's something for every activity level. Browse classes and register on the SRC's Experience WMU webpage, where some on-demand fitness classes are also posted.

Intramural Sports: One-day tournaments are a great way to stay active and social in a safe way. Register online or drop in day-of.

WMU Faculty and Staff Benefits-Wellness Virtual Expo

  • Let's Talk, Let's Chat, Let's Check In: Amy Seth, director of University Recreation, and Beth Northuis, assistant director of fitness and wellness programs, will be available to check in with employees and talk about what they need and program ideas to support them. Find a session in the Chat with a Pro section.
  • Fitness Classes: A number of fitness classes are available for faculty and staff to try out. Register on the Expo website.
  • Thrive with the WMU Well-Being Wheel: Learn about evidence-based concepts involving well-being and how they're being applied at Western to support faculty, staff and students. RSVP to the event.
  • Bingo: Participate in the Western Wellness Bingo challenge Monday, Nov. 2 through Friday, Nov. 20 to be entered into a prize drawing. Bingo squares include a number of wellness activities focused on nutrition, fitness and mindfulness.

Turkey Trot: WMU's annual Turkey Trot 10K has gone virtual for the first time ever. Run or walk by yourself or with some friends from anywhere—your neighborhood, a park, a trail or even your treadmill. Register online.

 

Educational Opportunities

Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations

The WIRED podcast, a collaboration between the Lewis Walker Institute, Western Student Association and WIDR, airs Mondays at 5 p.m. and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. on WIDR. A special post-election support show was broadcast Monday, Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m.

Post-Election Outlook for Climate Policy

A team of experts from the WMU Climate Change Working Group discussed the implications of the 2020 election for climate change policy and politics. Hear updates, expert analysis and engaging conversation from WMU faculty members Drs. Paul Clements, Denise Keele, Ron Kramer and Ph.D. candidate Naomi Bick in this online recording.

Election 2020 Debrief

Drs. Peter Wielhouwer and John Clark from the Department of Political Science provide historical and political science insights into this year's election and its results in this online recording.

Events

A number of events planned to help de-stress, inform and build community are available through the ExperienceWMU portal and the University events calendar.