Connecting Badgers

In this week's episode of the Connecting Badgers Podcast, the hosts dive into the excitement and challenges of graduation, offering practical tips to help navigate the transition into post-grad life.

In this week's episode of the Connecting Badgers Podcast, the hosts interview Geoff Brown, Coordinator of Substance Use Services, about the link between substance use and mental health, common myths, and how to evaluate its impact on your life. 

In this week's episode of the Connecting Badgers Podcast, the hosts tackle a tough but common feeling: loneliness and why it’s so widespread amongst college students today.

In this week's episode of the Connecting Badgers Podcast, the hosts raise awareness for Eating Disorder Awareness Week by clearly defining disordered eating, how to recognize hunger cues mindfully, and how to support a loved one.

In this week's episode of the Connecting Badgers Podcast, the hosts share strategies for proactive wellness, focusing on setting intentions for academics, social life, and self-care at the beginning of the semester.

In this week's episode of the Connecting Badgers Podcast, Eating Disorder Services Coordinator Andie Schwabe, LPC, explains body neutrality—what it is, what it isn't, and how to practice it. She shares techniques for cultivating a mindful, non-judgmental relationship with our bodies, and offers tips for navigating conversations about body image with friends and family.

Mentioned Podcasts

- Maintenance Phase Podcast

- Full Plate Podcast

- This is (Not) About Your Body Podcast

Mentioned News Articles

Winter break is approaching, which means holidays, food, and fun. It can also mean is exposure to family conflicts, isolation, and time away from your support system. In this episode of Connecting Badgers, hosts will share helpful tips to enjoy your holidays while taking care of yourself.

Today we’re covering something that everyone needs, and many people struggle with – sleep. With it getting darker earlier, exams and assignments bringing stress, and general life issues getting in the way, poor sleep is a topic on a lot of people’s minds right now. Today we have Tess Hoese with us from Mental Health Services to help us talk about sleep.

Living with roommates can be one of the most fulfilling or the most challenging experiences of college life. In this episode, we are talking with Molly Willihnganz, LMFT, UHS mental health therapist and embedded provider through housing, about roommate relationships, particularly in navigating conflicts and difficult conversations.

In this episode we chat with Serena Cisneros, MS, LPC, who is Ojibwe from the Lac Courte Oreilles, and one of the UHS embedded mental health providers at the Indigenous Student Center. Listen in to learn more about her role and services at the ISC as well as upcoming Native November events.

Today we would like to address the upcoming election and associated stress which may not be present in your everyday routines, but continue to impact us and others around us. The political climate in the US and in many other places around the globe has become very divisive in recent years. This can have an adverse affect on our mental health and wellbeing, so in today’s episode we will be talking about how to support yourself and others around you, while you navigate these times while still trying to be a student.

Today we talk with Dr. Ritu Bhatnagar about Psychiatric Services at UHS and answer basic questions on what to expect in a psychiatry appointment, how to get connected to services, and more!  

At Psychiatric Services, we believe that medications can be a part of the answer. If you are looking only to the medications to solve your problems, you may overlook opportunities for the other 23.9 hours of your day. Here are some recommended links and resources Dr. Bhatnagar shared out: 

Sleep hygiene  

Free resources about sleep practices and guided meditations: 

Today we are highlighting an exciting mental health resource, Uwill. Uwill provides students with access to a therapist of their choice via the mode of their choice – video, phone, chat or messaging. We talk with Beth Adamski, Assistant Director at MHS and one of the primary liaisons to Uwill at MHS, to learn more about this resource for students. 

Stress Versus Anxiety 

As we are approaching the end of the semester, stress and anxiety are running rampant through campus. If you have ever wondered, “to what point is my level of stress or worry normal and at what point do I need to get some help with it?”, this episode is for you! 

For Sexual Assault Awareness Month our hosts talk with Survivor Services to discuss the different ways and resources through which they provide support to student survivors of sexual assault and interpersonal violence.  

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events: 

• Crafty Coping Community  
  Wednesdays through May 1, 3 – 4:30pm | 333 East Campus Mall, Room 7001  

• Embodied Resilience with UHS Survivor Services: A Survivor-Centered Dance/Movement Therapy Workshop   

Friday, April 5, 1 – 3pm | Bakke, Serenity Studio (Second Floor)  

• Trauma-informed Yoga with UHS Survivor Services and Insight Counseling  
  Friday, April 19, 1 – 3 pm | Bakke, Serenity Studio (Second Floor)  

• Collective ARTivism Project: Denim Day  
  Wednesday, April 24, 2 – 5pm | Library Mall  

Reflect: Art and History Gallery   
Throughout April | Discovery Building, Hub Central Gallery and Image Lab (First Floor) 

The idea of therapy can seem intimidating or mystifying. In this episode, your hosts will be breaking down some common myths about therapists and what therapy is and what therapy is not.  

Links to Previous Episodes on the Topic: 

If you have ever wondered how to tell when your feelings are a ‘normal’ part of life and when it might be something that is diagnosable, this episode is for you. Today we’ll be discussing the differences between clinical depression, seasonal affective disorder, and general sadness or grief.   

In this episode we provide an overview of what’s offered through Mental Health Services going into the Spring 2024 semester. 

If you have a love-hate relationship with social media like most of us, listen to this episode of Connecting Badgers where we discuss the different ways in which social media impacts our lives. At the end of today’s episode we will also share some tips to integrate social media as a support in your life. 

***Content Advisory: This episode will include discussion around suicide, mental health distress, and suicidal ideation. 

Today our hosts interview UHS Prevention’s Val Donovan and KK Kothe, particularly on the topic of suicide prevention. Learn more about how to spot potential warning signs for someone who may be experiencing suicidal ideation and some tips and examples for how to have these conversations, provide support, and refer to other resources available.  

Welcome Fall 2023 – an Introduction to MHS Services 

Welcome new and returning students! In this episode we provide an overview of what’s offered through Mental Health Services going into the Fall 2023 semester. 

Did you know MHS has services over the summer? Listen in to learn more about what’s available, who’s eligible, and how to get connected, whatever your situation! 

It’s that time of the semester again: finals! Listen in as we give some tips on studying, stress management, and grounding skills. 

Join our hosts as we talk with representatives from the International Student Services office to learn more about their scope and services, and ways in which ISS can support International Students on campus. 

This episode features Christa Zhang, Master of Social Work student and practicum trainee at MHS, interviewing Kevin Wong, Program Coordinator for the APIDA Student Center. We talk more about APIDA Heritage Month and events and activities available on campus. 

On the latest episode of the Connecting Badgers podcast we meet with Ryan Keegan of the McBurney Disability Resource Center to learn about accommodations and other resources available to students. 

On the latest episode of the Connecting Badgers podcast, we talk about what happens when a relationship ends, the impacts of this loss, different ways to cope, and resources available.

On the latest episode of the Connecting Badgers podcast, we meet with our guest and new full-time host, Andie Schwabe, LPC, a Care Manager and Eating Disorder Specialist at UHS, to learn more about Care Management services, how to get connected, and tips for using insurance and finding a mental health provider.

On this episode we talk finals, managing end of semester stress, and resources available for students.

On this episode we talk more with Jennifer Moulton, PhD, Assistant Director of Training at MHS, and Kari Treu, MsE, a postgraduate fellow about the training programs offered through MHS.

Join us for Mental Health 102, the latest episode of the Connecting Badgers podcast where we talk about what to expect out of counseling and how to get connected to services.

Join us for a ‘mental health 101’ discussion where we talk about how to identify mental health concerns, how to support yourself, and when to reach out.

We talk with Ben De Boer, psychologist and MHS’ group coordinator, about group counseling, what it is and how to know if it might be a good fit for you. Listen for more information current MHS groups offered in Fall. 

Welcome, Students! Today’s hosts give an overview of offerings through Mental Health Services this Fall, provide updates on how to access services, and share resources available.

Hosts Q, Liz, and Casey talk with MHS psychologists Dr. Jeff Hird and Dr. Felix Savino about managing the end of the semester, tools and tips for studying and finding balance in this time, as well as navigating transitions after graduation. 

For this episode of the Connecting Badgers Podcast Casey, Liz, and Quincy discuss social media and the pros and cons it has on mental wellbeing. Resources are provided for students interested in learning to be more mindful of their social media use.

Geoff Brown, LPC, the Coordinator of Substance Use Services at UHS, clears up common myths and misconceptions about drug and alcohol use, answers questions about how to gauge your use and intake, and what signs to look for with potential abuse. 

Lauren Adams, Program Coordinator for the Black Cultural Center (BCC), Jacqueline Nah, planning committee co-chair, and DeOnna Garrison, planning committee member, join hosts Geetanjali, Quincy, Liz, and Casey to share about Black History Month, events on campus, and ways to get involved. 

Hosts Liz and Casey talk finals, managing end of semester stress, and resources available for students.