For Student Leaders

Simple actions student leaders can take to enhance student well-being:

• Review current data on ASU student wellness
   
• Promote positive ASU student norms:
  • - 40% of ASU students don’t drink alcohol, according to annual surveys of our students. - Why is this important?
    • - This information corrects misperceptions about student drinking.
    • - These data reinforce positive norms, and affirm that there is a significant proportion of students who enjoy activities that don’t involve alcohol.
    • - Students in recovery from alcohol and other drugs, and those who choose a sober lifestyle for other reasons, will be happy to learn that they are a large proportion of the student population.
       
• Start by believing.
  • - Stressful personal situations are not uncommon.
    • - 16.1% of ASU students reported experiencing the death of a family member or friend in the past 12 months.
    • - 40.3% have been ill with a cold, the flu, or a sore throat.
    • - 43.9% of ASU students reported experiencing family problems such as financial, legal, health or relationship problems, within the past 12 months.
  • - When students share about their situation with you, listening with a little understanding will go a long way to helping them to get through their personal crisis.
  • - Refer students to the Dean of Students, ASU Health Services or ASU Counseling Services for assistance with their situation.
     
• Encourage your club, organization, or committee to participate in healthy activities like:
  • - Community service projects – there are many options available through ASU. Visit Changemaker Central at ASU and commit to action as a group.
  • - Participate in Outdoor Recreation, Group Fitness Classes, Triathlons, Weight lifting and other programs offered through Sun Devil Fitness.
  • - Plan a potluck or attend a cooking class together.
  • - Start your meetings with chair yoga or Tai Chi.
     
• Change up your meetings:
  • - Take exercise or stretching breaks.
  • - Do a walking meeting or an outdoor meeting during good weather.
  • - Start the meeting with “A High and A Low” activity. This is an activity in which each person shares one high and one low they experienced since the past meeting.
     
• Ask group leaders or the group to participate in online wellness education modules. Host discussion about the content during meetings.
   
• Put up wellness posters in your meeting space and common areas. Host a discussion about the poster issues.
   
• If you are an overcommitted student, take time for yourself. Relax and rejuvenate over the weekends, holidays and school breaks.