Connecting Badgers

For this episode we talk about graduation and the stress of what comes next, diving into the mixed emotions and share some practical tips to help you navigate this big change.

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In this week's episode, we feature several available mental health resources in addition to counseling, particularly Let’s Talk and Thrive Online.

Resources:

In light of the Healthy Minds 2025 data, this episode intends to help boost your skills on recognizing distress, when to seek help, and how to help others who may be in distress

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On this week's episode, we discuss setting yourself up for success for a new semester by sharing helpful tips for setting intention, practicing new habits, and resources for extra support.

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On this week’s episode, the hosts discuss how to identify when you are feeling stressed and offer several tools to help you manage and relieve stress.

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This week, we explore one aspect of self-care, rest. Rest is opportunity for our body and minds to take a break. The hosts dive into why and how to practice intentional resting.

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This week, we explore two popular relationship topics: attachment styles and love languages, while addressing common myths and sharing helpful insights.

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On this week’s episode, we give an overview of common questions that come up around navigating the healthcare system and explain health insurance terminology.

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Dr. Ben de Boer, Psychologist and Coordinator of Group Counseling, joins the hosts to answers questions about group counseling and how students can get connected.

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On this weeks episode we discuss adjusting to college life and share tips and resources to help you navigate challenges.

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Dr. Ellen Marks, Director of Mental Health Services at UHS,joins the hosts to answer questions about what services are available and how to access resources as a student.

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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.