Counseling Center: Outreach

The RMU Counseling Center believes that education and outreach have the potential to empower and resource individuals to take ownership of their mental health. We know that this journey is deeply personal and never complete. Our goal is to educate, support, and connect students to mental health resources.

Please follow us on social media for up-to-date information about campus outreach programs and events focused on mental health and wellness.

Educational Programs and Workshops

We provide outreach (through workshops, presentations, tabling, panels, etc.) for student groups, faculty, and staff on important topics for student well-being. We have a variety of educational programs and workshops, but can also create customized outreach specifically for the unique needs of your group.

Examples of educational programs and workshops include:

  • An overview of the RMU Counseling Center/Thrive
  • Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse
  • Sexual Violence/Bystander Intervention
  • General Wellness
  • Healthy Relationships
  • Stress Management and Resilience
  • Performance Anxiety/Test Anxiety
  • Suicide Prevention

Collaborating on an Outreach Initiative

If your office or campus organization would like to collaborate with the Counseling Center on an outreach initiative (i.e. suicide prevention, mental health awareness, sexual assault prevention and awareness, alcohol awareness, etc.), please contact Sarah Walters at walterss@rmu.edu or (412) 397-5900.

THRIVE

Why do we have THRIVE at RMU?

The Jed Foundation says it best on their Half of Us campaign webpage:
"Mental health issues are a reality for millions of people across the country. Young people are especially at risk, with half of college students reporting that they have been stressed to a point where they couldn’t function during the past year. The impact of mental illness is so devastating that suicide is the third leading cause of death among all people ages 15-24. The good news is that nearly all mental health issues can be improved with proper treatment. When we decrease the stigma around mental health and encourage help-seeking, we can change and save lives."

At the RMU Counseling Center, we believe that student leaders play a critical role in reducing the stigma around mental health and in helping build a campus community where emotional wellness is a priority.

Mission of the THRIVE Program:

The THRIVE Program strives to provide campus outreach for mental health and wellness initiatives through peer educators, known as THRIVE Leaders. THRIVE Leaders are trained on mental health issues, suicide prevention, drugs and alcohol prevention, and sexual assault prevention, diversity, and common wellness concerns using a public health approach. They serve the campus community by “building a bridge” between the Counseling Center and students, primarily by developing and implementing outreach programs/events that will positively impact the campus community. When THRIVE Leaders become aware of individual students needing support, they provide referrals to appropriate resources and act as role models for self-care. THRIVE accomplishes this mission through education, outreach, and raising awareness on campus.

Goals of the THRIVE Program:

  • Connect with peers to increase help-seeking behaviors among the student population
  • Provide peer-to-peer education on mental health, stress reduction, and healthy decision-making
  • Eliminate stigma of mental health on campus
  • Sponsor wellness events to benefit the campus community

Roles of the THRIVE Leader:

  • Serve as a liaison between the Counseling Center and students
  • Develop and implement outreach programs/events that will positively impact students
  • Be aware of individual students needing support and provide them with referrals
  • Take care of themselves and be a good role model for other students

Qualifications to Become a THRIVE Leader:

Program supervisors work closely with THRIVE Leaders over the course of their tenure to develop skills and knowledge to help them grow as campus leaders. However, it is critical that students already have a strong foundation in demonstrating the following qualities in order to become THRIVE Leaders:

  • Dependability: THRIVE Leaders are expected to be reliable and trustworthy. This means the ideal THRIVE Leader candidate should, by nature, be prompt, reliable, and able to hold sensitive information in confidentiality.
  • Adaptability: THRIVE leaders are expected to be able to adjust to change and show a willingness to be flexible in their approach to solving problems. This means the ideal THRIVE Leader candidate should generally be accepting of new situations, able to balance their personal responsibilities effectively, and comfortable with making decisions independently when needed.
  • Initiative: THRIVE Leaders are expected to be creative and responsible. This means the ideal THRIVE Leader candidate should be excited to tackle challenges and come up with fresh ideas, comfortable with serving as a role model to other students in promoting a healthy campus community, and willing to find tasks to do when none are assigned.
  • Knowledge/Interest: THRIVE leaders are expected to have basic knowledge of critical mental health issues on college campuses and have a good understanding why it is they are interested in this opportunity. This means the ideal THRIVE Leader candidate should already have an interest in wellness and be able to articulate why they are choosing to apply for this leadership opportunity in particular.

Please contact Meg Spierto at spierto@rmu.edu or (412) 397-5900 for more information.