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Category: Health and well being

RealResponse hazing prevention funding renewed through 2031

The 91探花鈥檚 partnership with hazing reporting platform RealResponse has been extended through 2031, thanks to renewed funding from the Student Technology Fee.

The funding will allow the 91探花to continue to use RealResponse in hazing reporting and response, providing vital consistency in hazing prevention and education, said Alex Salemme, hazing prevention and response specialist in Community Standards & Student Conduct (CSSC). The 91探花began using RealResponse in 2025.

鈥淭his funding extension really shows that there鈥檚 student buy-in with this tool, and that students believe in it,鈥� Salemme said. 鈥淚t also shows that RealResponse isn鈥檛 going away 鈥� that students can rely on it to report hazing. We鈥檙e very grateful to the STF committee for funding us.鈥�

What is RealResponse?

RealResponse offers anonymous reporting via text, email or WhatsApp for anyone on campus who experiences or witnesses hazing. Reporters can attach screenshots, photos and videos that show the reported behavior.

鈥淩ealResponse is great because it gives the 91探花a view of trends on campus and how we can protect our students,鈥� Salemme said. 鈥淲ith RealResponse, we鈥檙e getting information in real time so we can take appropriate action.鈥�

Reports are completely anonymous: the 91探花does not see a name or phone number from the reporting party. That anonymity removes a barrier to reporting, Salemme said, and can help reporters 鈥� particularly students 鈥� feel more comfortable sharing hazing they witnessed or experienced.

Once a report is submitted through RealResponse, the reporting party receives a response from the 91探花that acknowledges their report, asks clarifying questions as needed and provides links to support resources.

Shifting the culture

Since the UW鈥檚 partnership began with RealResponse last year, CSSC has seen an increase in hazing reports, which Salemme attributes to how easy it is to make a report via RealResponse. He said it also indicates the start of a shift in campus culture around hazing reporting.

鈥淗aving RealResponse available and used consistently not only makes reporting more acceptable; it also ingrains it into our campus culture,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o over time, as students continue to use the platform, they will pass that culture on to future classes and hazing prevention will become the norm.鈥�

RealResponse was founded by a former student-athlete on the idea that positive student experiences are based on supportive and healthy cultures across teams, organizations and campus as a whole. The organization partners with nearly 170 universities and colleges, collegiate athletics departments, and fraternity and sorority life organizations nationwide.

鈥淲e鈥檙e honored to continue our partnership with the 91探花 and grateful for the trust placed in RealResponse through this extended funding,鈥� said David Chadwick, Founder & CEO of RealResponse. 鈥淭he University鈥檚 commitment to making reporting accessible, anonymous and actionable is exactly what drives meaningful cultural change. By meeting students where they are and equipping administrators with real-time insights, we can work together to strengthen prevention efforts and ensure every student feels safe speaking up. We鈥檙e excited to build on this momentum with the 91探花community in the years ahead.鈥�

With funding set for the next five years, Salemme said his team is excited to continue building a culture of hazing prevention on campus. They are also looking into enhanced reporting and ways CSSC can partner with entities on campus to track where hazing happens and how to prevent it.

鈥淚t can take a couple of years to build out the kind of hazing prevention culture we want, which is one of the reasons we鈥檙e so grateful for this STF funding,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to have this tool that meets students where they are and makes it easier for anyone to report hazing anytime, anywhere.鈥�

If you or someone you know has witnessed or experienced hazing, support is available. If possible, please report the incident via RealResponse, and take a look at the support resources available.

Halloween Safety Tips – 2022

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is a fun time, but it is important to be vigilant about your personal safety. There are many things to consider to ensure your well-being and that of our 91探花community.

The has shared the following tips on staying safe on Halloween:

  • If you walk alone be alert of your surroundings at all times. Call at 685-WALK for a campus escort!
  • Whether walking alone or in a group, try to avoid dark or poorly-lit areas whenever possible.
  • Watch out for your friends and others, whether outside or at a party 鈥� be aware of your friends鈥� whereabouts and try not to leave them unattended.
  • If you have a drink, know where it is coming, how much alcohol it contains, and do not leave it unattended.
  • Avoid playing pranks (particularly on strangers) that can be perceived as threatening.
  • Trust your instincts 鈥� if something doesn鈥檛 feel right, get yourself out of the situation as soon as possible.
  • Always carry your phone with you and don鈥檛 hesitate to call 911 to report suspicious or criminal activity.
  • The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is that brightly colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills known as rainbow fentanyl may look like candy. If you encounter fentanyl in any form, do not handle it.
  • Please be safe!

Wishing you a safe and Happy Halloween!

91探花Centralized Wellness Website Launches

Two students sitting and talking on the HUB lawn

Nothing is more important than our students鈥� health and emotional well-being. And yet, the prevalence of mental health concerns among college students is rising dramatically. 91探花is no exception, which is why the 91探花Division of Student Life has led a multi-year collaborative effort to increase access to timely help and critical resources through a single, streamlined online student wellness portal.

The recently launched, and will welcome students back to campus in fall 2019 with unprecedented access to a host of key resources and information. The website connects the work of the Counseling Center, Hall Health, LiveWell, the Resilience Lab, SafeCampus, 91探花Recreation, and other stakeholders around campus.

Meeting an Urgent Demand

The need for proactive measures to support student mental health is significant and well-documented. The American College Health Association reported in 2018 that approximately 40% of undergraduates have felt severely depressed in the last year, and according to the American Psychological Association, 鈥淎merica鈥檚 youngest adults are most likely of all generations to report poor mental health.鈥�

The 91探花 community is confronting the same challenges. The 91探花Counseling Center recorded a 70% increase in the number of calls to the crisis counselor in fall 2018 compared to the same period the previous year. In a recent survey administered to students who left 91探花prior to degree completion, 54% of respondents reported that they withdrew due to 鈥減ersonal and well-being reasons.鈥�

The 91探花 provides a wide range of tremendous programs and services supporting student health and wellness, including drop-in counseling, longer-term support, and an array of other wellness, resilience, and safety resources that support students鈥� mental and physical well-being. However, student feedback has indicated that the full range of these resources is not always known or easy to find.

Project Origins

The idea of a centralized wellness website originated from the Student Well-Being Collaborative (SWBC), a monthly convening of more than 40 staff, faculty, and students with a focus on, 鈥淗ow can we work together better to鈥�

  • support student mental health and well-being?鈥�
  • increase student access and awareness of resources?鈥�
  • improve and align messages about health and well-being?鈥�

Through deliberation across disciplines and stakeholder groups, the SWBC developed a vision for a website that centralizes student health-related services at 91探花Seattle to make resources more accessible to students.

Centering Student Needs and Voices

HHWB Student Website Design Activity

From the beginning, Husky Health and Well-Being has prioritized hearing and meeting the real needs of students. The website鈥檚 initial concept was drafted by a team of undergraduates in UW鈥檚 Human-Centered Design and Engineering (HCDE) program as a capstone project, which included extensive design, usability testing, and surveying more than 700 students.

Student feedback included:

鈥淓veryone has their own website and links. They鈥檙e not all connected in an easy to navigate way.鈥�

鈥淭oo many websites from different departments. It鈥檚 hard to find pages without going through a rabbit hole.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to figure out which services do what and if they are free/clinical.鈥�

鈥淔inding the right office and specific resources can be very confusing due to different activities falling under different departments. A centralized way to search for general health activities and on campus counseling would make finding assistance much easier.鈥�

Bringing Husky Health Together

The Husky Health and Well-Being site streamlines the process of navigating UW鈥檚 breadth of offerings by surfacing the information and services that students need and want most. It also provides one-click access to crisis-related information on all pages, as well as contextual resources throughout the site.

A collaboration to its core, the project has been (and will continue to be) carried out in close coordination with student-led health initiatives and registered student organizations. The website is also designed with particular attention to accessibility and inclusivity for students of a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and life experiences.

Husky Health and Well-Being is foundational to 91探花Student Life鈥檚 efforts to create a more integrated and holistic continuum of care at the University, and to promote awareness, acceptance, and access for all students with regard to mental health and well-being.

For more information, contact Megan Kennedy, Special Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life, at meganken@uw.edu or 206-221-5215.

Easy Ways to Practice Self Love this Valentine鈥檚 Day

Students in Red Square with ValentinesValentine鈥檚 Day is known for a lot of things鈥攔oses and chocolate, to name just a few. It鈥檚 a day to celebrate significant others, family, and friends, but it鈥檚 also a great opportunity to remind yourself to practice some self-love as well. With the gloom of winter weather, the stress of midterms season, and finals seemingly right around the corner, there鈥檚 never been a better time to take a little better care of yourself. Not sure where to begin? Try starting with a few of these ideas.

Detox your social media feeds

Social media has been the center of a lot of controversy lately; love it or hate it, , FOMO, and the are undeniably issues of our generation. If your own feed is triggering any feelings of stress or anxiety, it might be time to take a look at who you鈥檙e following or what posts show up while you scroll. Unfollowing or unfriending someone might feel awkward, especially if they鈥檙e a friend, so instead try just muting some Instagram stories or unfollowing people on Facebook so their posts won鈥檛 pop up every time you open those apps. Not only will this help stop comparison culture, you might even cut down on daily time you spend on social media since you鈥檙e not wading through content that you鈥檙e not interested in.

Check your caffeine habits

I know, I know鈥攖his can seem impossible at best, and blasphemous at worst. Whether you鈥檙e brewing your own coffee at home, stopping by a campus Starbucks, or using energy drinks to get an extra boost, caffeine can seem like a necessity just to get it all done. However, too much caffeine can like nervousness or a racing heartbeat. If you鈥檙e already stressed, that鈥檚 the last thing you need鈥攏ot to mention it can wreak havoc on your sleep habits. Check in on whether you鈥檙e drinking those 2 or 3+ cups a day out of necessity or habit. Do you really need the caffeine boost or do you just like the taste? The cozy feeling of a hot beverage on a cold day? Think about trying decaf after lunch or branching out to try matcha or chai.

Stretch

After hours of class, group project meetings, and studying, it鈥檚 no surprise if you feel stiff or sore at the end of the day. Taking ten or fifteen minutes to stretch can help shake off that tension and leave you feeling infinitely more relaxed. Not only will you be less tense, but it can lead to better posture and even better sleep.

Students Relaxing in Red Square

Schedule something you鈥檒l look forward to

Some weeks are rougher than others, and these mid-quarter, dead-of-winter weeks can feel like the roughest of all. One of the best ways to motivate yourself to make it through the endless grind is putting something on your calendar you can look forward to. A bright spot you know is coming up in the future will make the Ode study sessions in the present just a little more bearable. Commitment is key鈥攂ook a spin class in advance online, get movie tickets, or make plans with a friend to go to Volunteer Park. Accountability will mean you actually take time off from studying, working, or, let鈥檚 be honest, even just re-watching Parks & Rec on Netflix for the umpteenth time.

Say no to something

After the last tip this might seem a little counterintuitive, but having time to say yes to things you love usually means having to say no to something else. If your Google Calendar is starting to look like a rainbow kaleidoscope of colors, appointments, and commitments, maybe it鈥檚 time to create a little white space鈥攍iterally and figuratively. Everyone needs to unwind every now and then, and that free time can free up some mental space as well.

Make a go-to playlist

We all have certain songs that always make us feel better, so why not put them all in one place for when a bad day or a late afternoon slump hits? Throw anything on there that always puts you in a good mood鈥攗pbeat jams that always make you feel better, any soundtracks that hype you up, or even some middle school throwbacks. A better day is only some headphones and a push of a button away.

Valentine鈥檚 Day might be just a day in February, but these are habits you can carry throughout the year to make getting through those classes and extracurriculars just a little easier.

Hannah headshot

Student Life blogger Hannah M. is a 91探花senior studying Marketing and English聽who聽is also involved with the American Marketing Association and . When not pitching, writing or editing blog posts for UWSL, you’re likely to聽find her聽making PowerPoint presentations for a case competition or ordering a vanilla latte on the Ave. To suggest a topic for the UWSL blog, email dawglife@uw.edu.

10 Ways to Destress This Winter Quarter

Winter quarter (or any quarter, honestly) can be stressful for a variety of reasons鈥攁nything from the lack of sunlight to a mid-year motivation slump, a tough course load or just feeling stuck in a rut. If you find yourself facing a lot of stress, overwhelm, or are feeling really tense, try some of these tricks to make life feel a little more manageable鈥攁nd enjoyable.

  1. Join a club – for fun!

Infographic explaining the process of registering a student organization, which can also be accessed at http://depts.washington.edu/thehub/sao/rso-registration/During your first days at UW, the sheer number of activities and opportunities can be overwhelming, but it鈥檚 so easy to play it safe, fall into a routine, and never look back. When you鈥檙e super focused on your classes and leadership activities, sometimes your hobbies fall by the wayside to your busy schedule. If you鈥檙e stressed or feeling burnt聽out, doing something you鈥檙e passionate about or enjoy can do wonders for your mood. Could聽an a capella group, the Hiking Club, the Cooking & Baking Club, or Badminton Club be perfect for you? Find out – and explore the full list of UW鈥檚 1,000+ other student clubs on . (P.S. If you don’t see one that strikes your fancy, you聽can always start your own!) Check out the infographic聽at left to find out how.

  1. Head outside

that time in nature and time by bodies of water can dramatically reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Don鈥檛 let scattered showers deter you鈥攇rab a jacket or umbrella and head outside! Whether it鈥檚 five minutes on a bench under the Ship Canal Bridge, a stroll down to the 91探花Farm, or just a quick bike ride on the Burke Gilman Trail, just a little time outside can make a big difference in your mood.

  1. Pick up a book

There鈥檚 something about the physical act of paging through a book that helps you get “in the zone” and escape the daily grind for a little while. Whether you devour mystery novels or love a good biography, you can easily find something to read at Suzzallo and Allen Libraries or in Odegaard Undergraduate Library. The most popular mainstream reads are stocked behind the help desk of Odegaard on the second floor, and are available in many languages. (Pro tip: Keep an eye out for 鈥渂ook blind date鈥� shelves in Ode, where occasionally librarians set up books wrapped聽in brown paper with only a brief description written on the front鈥攕uch a fun surprise once you take it home!)

If you鈥檙e a currently enrolled 91探花student, all you need is your Husky card to check out your books. If you live in the UW-Seattle dorms or near Seattle campus, you can also register for a free Seattle Public Library card, which will not only let you check out books from their branches, but also give you access to a huge range of audiobooks and ebooks you can download to your device. More info on how to get a SPL library card on the 聽(you must have valid ID and proof of address).

  1. Take advantage of free events聽

Every once in a while, you just have to take a study break and do something totally new. What better way than to head to one of the thousands聽of free events that take place every month聽in Seattle? Even if you don鈥檛 love it, you shook up your daily routine, got out of your comfort zone, and didn鈥檛 waste any money. Here are a few of my favorites coming up:

  • This book club discussion of John Green鈥檚 latest novel, Turtles All The Way Down, at the UBookstore on the Ave
  • Pasifik Voices Winter 2018, an event celebrating Pacific Islander music, dance, art, poetry, and more, at the Ethnic Cultural Theater
  • The Yule Ball 2018, at the HUB South Ballroom for all the diehard Harry Potter fans out there
  • Harry Potter Trivia Night (in case the Yule Ball just wasn鈥檛 enough)
  • The Seattle Symphony & the Roosevelt High School Orchestra are giving a free classical music concert at Roosevelt High School, featuring works by Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky
  • These fun & free modern dance workshops, co-hosted by CHOP SHOP: Bodies of Work and The City of Bellevue Parks and Community Services Department.
  • And don鈥檛 forget that many Seattle museums are free on the first Thursday of every month.

  1. Sweat it out

As Elle Woods once said, 鈥淓xercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy.鈥� This might be a slight oversimplification, but it鈥檚 undeniable that exercise has when it comes to managing stress. Head down to , take a leisurely jog to Gasworks Park, or even grab a canoe from the Waterfront Activities Center on a clear day. Getting some exercise doesn鈥檛 have to mean hours on a treadmill or training for a marathon鈥攊t could be as simple as walking across campus instead of taking the bus, or trying out some new with the Mindfulness Pass.

  1. Zone out with a great movie or TV show

I couldn鈥檛 find any scientific data to back me up, but I鈥檓 pretty sure that curling up with a good binge-watching session is every college student鈥檚 favorite activity. You鈥檝e probably already got your go-to sites and shows, but here are just a few suggestions if you want to mix things up.

  • hosts frequent movie nights, usually with films that aren鈥檛 available on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, etc., like Alfred Hitchcock鈥檚 Rear Window or 500 Days of Summer. Their events are totally free, so follow the 91探花Film Club Facebook page to see upcoming movie nights you might be interested in. They also collaborate with movie studios pretty often, so you might also get the chance to win free passes to advance screenings of upcoming Hollywood movies before they鈥檙e open to the general public!
  • If you live in the 91探花dorms, you can enjoy movie nights hosted by the 鈥攁 few recent flicks include Baby Driver, Spiderman: Homecoming, and Blade Runner. Free popcorn & lemonade are provided! (Must be a current HFS resident.)
  • Dorm residents also get complimentary streaming HuskyTV (powered by philo.com) and access to HBO GO.
  • You can also borrow DVDs of movies and tv shows from Suzzallo and Allen Libraries, or request them online if they鈥檙e currently checked out by someone else. Just and get started!

  1. Get more sleep

When it feels like there just isn鈥檛 enough time in the day to get everything done, sleep is usually the first thing to go. However, this can actually have during your waking hours, potentially leading to decreased academic performance, increased mental health issues, and a weakened immune system. Getting a good night鈥檚 sleep will actually make you more productive the next day, helping you get through that mile-long to-do list. Try setting an alarm on your phone 30-60 minutes before you plan to go to bed to remind you to start winding down for the night, or schedule a 20-minute power nap during the day.

  1. Use the sun lamps聽

While complaining about the constant Seattle gloom may be a popular extracurricular for most 91探花students, its effects can be more than just annoying. Seasonal Affective Disorder, caused by reduced natural light, affects more than three million people a year and can be especially widespread during the winter. Symptoms include mood changes and聽increased appetite, as well as changes to your weight, sleep habits,聽and activity levels. The 91探花Counseling Center offers free light therapy for currently enrolled UW-Seattle students who are affected. Call (206) 543-1240 to schedule an intake appointment聽(which is required before beginning sessions with the special light box for treatment).

  1. Ask for help

Let鈥檚 be honest鈥攁 lot of our stress as college students comes from our academics. Maybe you鈥檙e applying for a competitive major or just worried about your next Econ exam, but there are a ton of academic resources at 91探花here to help.

  • Your professors. Go to office hours! They want to make sure you understand the material, and they鈥檙e the expert on what they鈥檙e teaching, so if you鈥檙e confused about something in class, who better to ask than your prof? If you鈥檙e really interested in the subject they teach, they might also be able to suggest other classes or programs you might enjoy.
  • Your TA鈥檚. They鈥檙e students just like you, so it can be less intimidating to ask them for help instead of your professor, especially if you鈥檙e in a 500-person lecture.
  • Study centers & tutoring. Struggling with a philosophy essay? Make an appointment at the . Think you might have a question on your Math 126 homework? Work on it at the , where TA鈥檚 are available to help if you run into a tricky section. The holds drop-in help for many classes, along with exam reviews and class discussions. An appointment at the can help you refine your research paper or brainstorm new insights for your English 111 essay. Check out more resources on the .
  • Academic advisers. Their full-time job is helping you along your academic career! They can help you identify academic strengths & weaknesses, suggest career paths, help you pick courses, and help you create long-term academic plans.

  1. Explore somewhere new

In my opinion, one of the best things about being a Husky is getting to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. With the UPass on your Husky Card, why not carve out some time to explore a little? Take a quick day trip to Bremerton on the Kitsap Fast Ferry, head to Golden Gardens Beach, or hunt down some hidden gems in Fremont or the International District. A change of scenery can help you return to your routine refreshed & inspired.

While the weather outside might be dark & gloomy, try these tips to brighten your mood this winter quarter! Have any advice of your own to beat stress or stay upbeat? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram, or at dawglife@uw.edu.

And finally – if you feel like you might need a little extra help, don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out to or the . If you鈥檙e experiencing anxiety, depression, or other negative emotions, they鈥檙e here to support you.

 

Hannah headshot

Student Life blogger Hannah McConnaughey is a 91探花senior studying Marketing and English聽who聽is also involved with the American Marketing Association and . When not pitching, writing or editing blog posts for UWSL, you’re likely to聽find her聽making PowerPoint presentations for a case competition or ordering a vanilla latte on the Ave. To suggest a topic for the UWSL blog, email dawglife@uw.edu.