Being sick in college can seriously challenge your ability to perform your best. No one wants to sit through class, take an exam, or show up to meetings and be expected to pay attention when their health is struggling. Read on to see a list of resources and health facts to help you navigate taking care of yourself. Hand Washing Hand washing is an integral part of sickness prevention and can help to prevent the spread of diarrheal and respiratory infections. Germs can spread when you don’t wash your hands and prepare food or drinks, cough or sneeze into your hands, and touch tour nose and mouth ..read more

What is your favorite thing to do at the end of the day? For some, it is jumping into the never-ending world of gaming. There are games for every genre and every level of play. Coordinator, Hannah Bershing, shares with us a game that she has recently found interest in. After a long day, it’s something she looks forward to – as she can escape reality for a bit and rewind. “After recently being introduced to the game Tunic, I have learned how relaxing video games can be. Coming home at the end of the day and spending some time exploring the fantasy world as a little fox, is what I look forward t ..read more

Social media. It seems, at first, like such a helpful way to foster connection and community with friends, family, and people all over the world. Pictures and messages, ideas and encouragement all at our fingertips.  So why is it that the hours spent scrolling can leave us feeling… empty?  Research now suggests that instead of fostering connection, social media stirs up feelings of loneliness, envy, and an addiction to constant feedback.[1] This impulsive consumption of social media makes it harder to step away and further separates us from friends, family, and chances to engage soci ..read more

The Bandana Project was founded on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus in 2016. The Green Bandana project is a simple – yet innovative suicide prevention campaign and mental health awareness movement that uses backpacks and bandanas to support peers. What exactly is the Green Bandana Project? Spreading awareness and resources for those with mental health illnesses Ending the stigma around mental health Being an advocate and reinforcing solidarity #letstalkaboutit Members tie a green bandana to their backpacks to signify they are in possession of region-specific and national resources ..read more

Suicide does not discriminate – people of all genders, ages, and ethnicities can be at risk. [1] Suicidal behavior is complex, but knowing the warning signs can help save lives.  The most recent ACHA Survey (Fall 2019) found that 33% of Michigan Tech Students had experienced thoughts of suicide. These ideas are more common than many people realize. Thankfully, most people do not act on these thoughts and even fewer die by suicide. Persistent or intense suicidal thoughts are not a typical response to stress, and warning signs should be taken seriously. If you, or someone you know, is exper ..read more

This month, the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being is turning a spotlight on our student’s’ ability to adopt healthy behaviors that promote and protect their mental health. October 2nd – October 8th, 2022, is ‘National Mental Illness Awareness Week’ in the U.S., and on Monday, October 10th, the World Health Organization’s global initiative ‘World Mental Health Day’ is observed. This global attention to mental health provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness and mobilize efforts on campus in support of our students’ mental well-being.    One-in-five adults i ..read more

September is National Sexual Health Month, so what is a better way to end the month than talking about STIs (or also known as STDs). Practicing safe sex is essential to our physical and mental health, but what is “safe sex?” We hear this phrase a lot, and it simply means taking steps to protect yourself and your partners during sex. There are many options and methods to ensure healthy and safe experiences with sex. Whether this is through open communication with our partners, using contraceptives or other forms of protection, and regular STI testing. Today’s post is focusing on all the resour ..read more

Amy Bachhuber and Rohn Sorensen are the co-owners of Superior Mycology Co. Both having a love for being in the woods and having a natural curiosity of nature, Amy and Rohn met roughly five years ago and began their partnership by sharing photos of mushrooms with each other. “We started foraging together and had a blast learning and trying new varieties of mushrooms”, they commented. Eventually, after getting to learn about the different seasons of growing, Amy and Rohn decided to start growing indoors to “be able to have fresh mushrooms even when there is snow on the ground”, they said. Enjoyi ..read more

June marks the observance of Great Outdoor Month! The Keweenaw Peninsula abounds with explorable potential, beautiful landscapes, and unique features. The CSMHW staff are particularly excited about getting outside this month, so we put our heads together and came up with a list of some of our favorite spots in and around Houghton Michigan. Favorite Locations Hungarian Falls Maybe you’re chasing waterfalls, looking for a sick hammocking spot, or just looking to get in a quick hike with some beautiful views. Whatever the case may be, students enjoy this hike because it’s a classic trail that p ..read more

MTU’s Student Leadership and Involvement organization put on their Plant-A-Palooza event last week and we had a blast! It was so fun to hang out with the MTU community that is still active on campus for the summer. Did you know that plants can be beneficial to your well-being in multiple different ways? We have listed the ways that plants can be helpful to your well-being below. Click the link at the end of this post to read more about each point! Plants can… Decrease stress levels. Help to increase your attention. Provide a source of therapeutic activity. Help you heal from sickness faster ..read more