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We sat down with the Associate Vice President for Health Wellness and Prevention Services, Marisa Bisiani, to learn more about making this year, a healthy one!
There are many different areas within Student Health Wellness and Prevention Services, can you explain some of the department’s offerings?
Bisiani: There are several departments that all work together to provide integrated, comprehensive services, and although each area offers unique and distinct services, we work together to provide students with comprehensive, integrated wraparound care. This ensures that wherever a student turns, they will always receive the support they need. These departments are Student Health Services, which provides primary & urgent medical care to students, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which provides brief individual and group therapy, as well as psychiatric services, The Student Support Team, which serves as the first point of contact for students facing unexpected challenges Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC) Supports students with disabilities by providing accommodations and addressing accessibility needs. Then there’s Recreation and Wellness, which features a state-of-the-art gym, sports clubs, intramural clubs, and off-campus trips. Our Care Team addresses student behaviors that may pose a threat to health and safety, and lastly, there is our Center for Prevention and Outreach which is what I refer to as the foundation of all the work we do regarding prevention and outreach, particularly in areas such as suicide prevention, substance abuse, interpersonal violence, health education, and wellness promotion.
For many of our students this is the first time they need to keep an eye on their health instead of their Seawolf Supporter, how do we encourage our students to make health a priority?
To encourage students to make their health a priority, we emphasize the importance of self-care and provide them with the tools and resources they need to manage their well-being independently. This is often students' first time they are living independently, on their own, navigating their health challenges, and advocating for their care without assistance from their loved ones which is a unique challenge. Our teams work to create a supportive environment that normalizes conversations about mental health, and we empower students to take ownership of their unique needs. We work with students, faculty, and staff to reinforce the message that their well-being is crucial for academic and personal success.
What is a favorite resource of yours that many of our students might not know about?
It would have to be our Health Coaching! Our health coaching is available virtually 24 hours a day, and you can call and connect with a health coach to talk with them about anything.
Whether it's your sleep routine or nutrition, our TimelyCare health coaches can assist with anything you need. The best part is that this service is available 24/7, right at your fingertips.
What advice could you offer our Seawolf Supporters who are worried about the health of their students?
The best thing that we tell our Seawolf Supporters is to stay connected to their student.
Be a source of encouragement. Make sure you send a message that it's okay to seek help.
It’s important to strike a balance between giving your student independence and staying aware of any significant changes in their behavior. If something feels off, trust your instincts and reach out. You can contact any of our teams, and we’ll connect you with the right resources. We are here to support both our students and their families in any way we can.
For more information about the offerings of Student Health, Wellness & Prevention Services please click here.
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