‌
MSU Parents and Family Members,

Mississippi State University cares about the health, wellness, and safety of our students. We hope your students have successfully tackled their first few weeks of school. Please take a few minutes to peruse through this special edition newsletter and contact us, or the respective departments, if you have any questions.

We are always here to lend an ear and point you in the right direction.

Cat Walker and Becky Faulk
662-325-3611
MENTAL HEALTH, WELLNESS, & AWARENESS
 When I was a college student, I struggled with suicidal thoughts myself and waited a long time before getting help. I believe that this is the primary reason I am so passionate about helping students. The quote, “Be who you needed when you were younger” has always resonated with me. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and I hope to raise awareness since suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among college students, and over 1,000 college students die each year from suicide. I realize it is an uncomfortable and painful issue to talk about, but I strongly believe that the more we have conversations around suicide, the more lives we can save.

As the Coordinator of Mental Health Outreach, I get the opportunity to work for two different departments on campus: Health Promotion and Wellness and Student Counseling Services. In my outreach role, I interact with students all over campus, connecting them to mental health resources. In my role as a counselor, I may be the first person that clients have opened up to about their problems. It is important that I create a safe environment and build trust with students.

College can be an exhilarating time, but also one of transition. In our society, there is a focus on physical health, but often little attention is paid to mental health. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health issues affecting college students. I want students to know about free counseling available to them. They don’t have to suffer in silence, help is available and easy to access. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but one of incredible strength.

To schedule an appointment at Student Counseling Services, students can either call (662) 325-2091 or stop by our office located in Hathorn Hall. Crisis walk-in services are available Monday-Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm. If a crisis occurs after hours or on the weekends, student can speak with a counselor by calling (662) 325-2091. All services are free and confidential.

Kim Kavalsky,
Coordinator Mental Health Outreach
EXERCISE, SLEEP, & STUDENT SUCCESS
Sleep is essential for your college student’s academic success and regular exercise promotes quality sleep.
 
What kind of exercise and when it’s performed definitely makes a difference. Moderate exercise, like brisk walking, 5-6 hours before bedtime will give you a better night’s sleep. But if you do a high-intensity workout a few hours before bedtime, you may find yourself lying awake staring at the ceiling. Your body temperature rises during a workout and it takes several hours to cool down to an optimal sleep-friendly temperature. 
 
Exercise also elevates your mood. Going to sleep happy gives you more restorative sleep. That’s because exercising regularly helps ease stress, anxiety and depression -all problems that can interfere with getting a restful night’s sleep.
 
On the flip-side, a quality night’s sleep makes you more likely to want to exercise. So, exercise makes you sleep better and better sleep makes you more likely to exercise.
 
Encourage your student to visit the Sanderson Recreation Center on a regular basis to stay in shape, improve the quality of their sleep and ultimately, succeed in the classroom!
SAFETY TIPS
The MSUPD collaborates with several different departments on campus to promote positive health, wellness, and safety for all students/faculty.

Just a few reminders for your student:

  • Be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
  • Be selective of the company you keep.
  • Lock vehicles and don't leave valuables out for others to see.
  • Lock doors and windows at residence.
  • Utilize the MSUPD SAFE WALK Program for escorts.
  • Weapons are not allowed on campus.
  • Vehicles must stop at all times for pedestrians in the crosswalks on campus. (Speed limit on campus streets is 20mph)
  • Bicyclists should walk their bikes in crosswalks and when coming into contact with pedestrians on sidewalks.
  • Never, ever leave personal property unattended.

MSUPD also hosts self-defense classes; increasing confidence and teaching individuals how to protect/defend themselves.

Remember that MSUPD love its BULLDOGS and if your student ever needs us they can always give us a call.
‌
COLLEGIATE RECOVERY COMMUNITY
The Collegiate Recovery Community is kicking off a big semester this Fall 2017. In addition to services already provided, we are rolling out an introductory student program – a program for students struggling with drugs, alcohol and/or process addictions that have the desire to live a clean and sober life.

This program has been added in the continuous pursuit of enhancing student well-being at Mississippi State. Of course, it wouldn’t be a semester for the CRC without an NFL speaker coming in, sober tailgates, recovery nights, fall retreats, and a graduation celebration.

Students interested can contact the Collegiate Recovery Community Coordinator, Blake Schneider at 662-325-3192, or by email at [email protected] .
CONTACTS
LONGEST STUDENT HEALTH CENTER (LSHC)
360 Hardy Road • P.O. Box 6338
Mississippi State, MS 39762
health.msstate.edu
662-325-2431 Main
662-325-7539 Appointments
662-325-8205 Pharmacy
662-325-7543 Physical Therapy

STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICES (SCS)
115 Hathorn Hall • P.O. Box NL
Mississippi State, MS 39762
health.msstate.edu/scs
662-325-2091 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
662-325-2091 After-hours on-call services available
662-325-3333 SafeLine - Confidential sexual assault assistance
911 for a physical emergency/325-2121 MSU police

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE
25 Walker Road • P.O. Box BJ
Mississippi State, MS 39762
police.msstate.edu
662-325-2121

JOE FRANK SANDERSON CENTER
225 Bailey Howell Drive • P.O. Box 6285
Mississippi State, MS 39762
662-325-7529
urec.msstate.edu

HEALTH, PROMOTION, & WELLNESS
662-325-7545
health.msstate.edu/health

COLLEGIATE RECOVERY COMMUNITY
662-325-3192
recovery.msstate.edu
‌