September marks the start of National Suicide Prevention Month, with growing mental health awareness over the last decade, UMKC students can turn to the Roo Wellness Center for support.
On the corner of 51st Street and Oak Street, the Roo Wellness Center has a variety of resources offered to the student body including counselors, mental health professionals and trained peer supporters.
“Our services generally fall into three areas: prevention, early intervention, and treatment of existing concerns,” said Dr. Teresa L. Huff-Pomstra, interim director and training director of counseling. “Our efforts show up through activities such as psychoeducational presentations on stress, loneliness, healthy relationships or time management.”
Even with the rise of mental health awareness, many students can be unaware of the resources available to them or hesitant to use them.
“I’ve often been asked, how do you know when you need counseling? My response is, if you think, perhaps I should talk to a counselor, then do it! There is no wrong time or better time to ask for help,” said Huff-Pomstra.
Most college students meet the criteria for one mental health issue, with almost 45% of students struggling with depression and 15% with anxiety, according to the latest Health Minds Survey. This annual questionnaire includes 96,000 students across the nation and found that there has been a 7% increase in students seeking help through counseling.
“It gives people a platform to speak up if they’re struggling, and it highlights the issue that needs to be discussed,” said communication studies major, Joe Ryan.
The center organizes events such as mocktail parties during spring break to educate students about responsible substance use. In addition, they provide helpful resources on maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
“One of our outreach events involves handing out wellbeing kits during finals week,” said Huff-Pomstra. “These kits include snacks and mental health information, offering support and practical advice for coping with stress.”
The Roo Wellness Center is also developing a treatment program in collaboration with Student Health that provides brief short-term sessions to address common concerns such as stress and anxiety.
“By connecting with students early, we can provide the psychoeducation, coping skills, and treatment they need,” said Huff-Pomstra. “This proactive approach helps students manage their stressors more effectively.”
A significant new initiative includes the launch of the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program. This campus-wide program will train non-clinical staff and faculty to recognize and support distressed students.
“MHFA equips individuals with the tools to provide immediate support, ask key questions to assess if a student is in crisis, and connect them with appropriate services,” said Huff-Pomstra. “This program is a crucial part of building a culture of care on campus, where everyone plays a role in supporting student wellbeing.”
