In a recent survey conducted by The VanCougar, 100 students answered questions about their awareness of available wellness resources on the WSU Vancouver campus. The survey revealed that 96 percent of respondents felt WSU Vancouver could improve awareness of the wellness resources offered on campus.
The results come near the end of September, which is suicide awareness month. WSU Vancouver offers several wellness options: counseling services, health services and the Access Center, all at no cost to students. Yet survey results show that students are unaware of the resources available to them.
The counseling services offer free, confidential counseling to current students. Along with short and long term counseling, psychological testing and crisis and consultation services also available on campus. The AWARE network is also apart of this service.
The VanCougar survey consisted of four questions that were hand distributed on a piece of paper to students around campus Sept. 12- 13. The survey also had a section for “additional comments” where students were prompted to add more detail to their responses to the questions.
According to the WSU Vancouver website, AWARE provides an online list of student resources and a referral form for anyone with a mental or physical concern. The VanCougar survey results showed 69 percent of students are unaware of the AWARE network.
Maureen Mulins, a junior at WSU Vancouver wrote on their survey, “More information about AWARE around campus would be cool.”
The campus Health Services clinic offers basic health care amenities on the WSU Vancouver campus in partnership with the Vancouver Clinic. The WSU Vancouver website hosts a description of the “basic health care” amenities that are offered on campus. The services also include wellness exams each semester, such as the upcoming free flu vaccines at 10 a.m. on Oct. 3 in VDEN 130.
Psychology major Felicia Struys wrote on her survey that she “Heard about free STI testing only in health comm class,” adding a need for “more accessible advertising.”
For students with documented disabilities the campus Access Center is an available resource. The center provides alternative print media, adaptive furniture, note taking and alternative testing services. The center also provides event accommodations and grievance procedures. Applications for these services are available on the WSU Vancouver website.
In the survey mentioned previously, 96 percent of students think that WSU Vancouver could do more to raise awareness for available wellness resources on campus. Thirty percent of those same students feel they have benefited from the wellness resources on campus and 30 percent said they have not benefited. On average, the students of WSU Vancouver rated the student wellness resources on campus an eight out of ten, ten being good and one being poor.
Another survey respondent, strategic communication major Jessica Kobylnik, wrote, “I’ve never used the wellness resources because I never knew we had any.”
However, student Sammy Magana said on her survey, “The resources are great! Which is why I hope others have a chance to use them.”
When reached for comment, Wellness Center staff referred The VanCougar to the Wellness Center’s website, studentaffairs.vancouver.wsu. edu/wellness, and was unavailable for further comment
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