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By USucceed, November 7, 2018 2:53 pm

Every day people miss work and class due to domestic violence.

As a part of the Empty Chairs Campaign, the UMKC Violence Prevention & Response Program collaborated with the Department of Art and Art History to raise awareness about domestic violence and how it affects members of our community.

Students from the Art Department’s 3D Design class transformed chairs into works of art that speak to the theme of domestic violence, and displayed them across campus throughout the month of October.

Now, these chairs are on display together at the Miller Nichols Library. Come see these powerful works of art and learn what you can do to reduce the impact of domestic violence.

Visit info.umkc.edu/vpr/ to get help for yourself or someone you know, find useful resources, information, or ways to get involved.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact UMKC’s Confidential Advocate Michelle Kroner, or visit the link above.

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By USucceed, November 1, 2018 11:38 am

With safety at top of mind, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Police Department is launching UMKC Guardian, a free mobile app that turns your smartphone into a personal safety device.

By downloading UMKC Guardian on your mobile device, you can invite friends and family to join your network as your “Guardians.” Once you have established who you want to be your Guardians, you can request one or more of them to virtually walk with you on or off campus. It’s like having an emergency blue light system and a trusted friend with you at all times.

How does the Guardian app work?

First, download and set up an account. The Rave Guardian App can be downloaded in the Apple or Google Play stores by searching for “Rave Guardian.”

Users can add their name, campus address, medical notes and other pertinent information for campus safety in case of emergency.

Secondly, begin adding contacts to join your “Guardian network.” Invite family, friends, or others to be your Guardian, and communicate with them within the app as needed.

Now, if for any reason you feel unsafe, you can set a Safety Timer with your Guardians. For instance, imagine a student is walking across campus alone at night. The walk back to the residence hall usually takes about 10 minutes. In the app, the student can set up a 10-minute safety timer with personal Guardian contacts. If the student does not deactivate the safety timer after 10 minutes, the Guardians will be immediately notified. Guardians will also have access to important details such as the student’s phone’s location on a map and contact information.

The app also allows for easy emergency communication. In an emergency situation, one button in the app directly connects the user to campus safety officials or 9-1-1.

Lastly, if you see something, you can now say something with the help of the app’s “Submit Tips” feature. This text feature allowing users to text the UMKC Police Department.

UMKC is encouraging all students, faculty and staff to download the free campus safety app.

To learn more about the UMKC Guardian app, go to the UMKC Guardian website or  http://www.raveguardian.com/.

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By USucceed, August 30, 2018 1:03 pm

Did you know UMKC Counseling Services offers more than just individual counseling?

Workshops are a great opportunity for students to gain support and to learn invaluable coping skills and strategies. Students are welcome to repeat the workshop in order to strengthen and hone their newly developed skills!

Group counseling helps students learn more about themselves and their relationships. Groups are a powerful and effective option for most emotional concerns.

Enrolled UMKC students are eligible to attend workshops and group counseling. These services are confidential, effective, and free. See available workshops and groups listed below for more information.

How do students participate in Workshops and/or Group Counseling at UMKC Counseling Services?  In order to access group counseling and workshops, students must call UMKC Counseling Services at 816-235-1635 to schedule a 30-minute initial consultation appointment. Students should indicate their interest in a particular group or workshop when scheduling the Initial Consultation appointment. Please note that Counseling Services has moved to a new location in the Brookside 51 Building:  5110 Oak Street, Suite 201.

Workshops:

Building Mindfulness

Workshop participants learn skills for managing stress, thinking more clearly, and being more present in daily life. Participants also learn about the science that makes mindfulness work! This workshop meets for five consecutive weeks. 40 to 50 minutes per session / 5 sessions

Mind over Mood

This three session series focuses on creating flexibility to deal with whatever brings participants into counseling. Students build skills that include mindfulness, acceptance and understanding how to get “un-stuck”. Workshop attendees learn how to focus on what really matters to them. Personal sharing is but not required to participate in this workshop series. Workshop participants receive a workbook filled with in-session exercises as well as stress management information, coping skills, and mindfulness strategies. This workshop meets for three consecutive weeks. 50 minutes per session / 3 sessions

Taming Test Anxiety

A workshop for those who experience anxiety around exams. Participants learn to make anxiety work for them – not against them – by becoming familiar with the true role of anxiety, the ways in which our brains trick us, and tips and strategies for becoming comfortable with discomfort. This workshop meets for four consecutive weeks. 75 minutes per session / 4 sessions

Group Counseling:

Body Wellness Group

In this group, members explore their relationship with body image, food, and weight and how that relationship shapes their lives. This group is a safe space in which to explore these concerns. In addition to receiving and giving support, group members begin developing effective coping strategies. 60 minutes per session / once per week

Interpersonal Process Group

In this group, students actively engage in working on treatment goals through interaction with others who share similar goals. By processing concerns and helping to support others, students learn valuable skills such as coping, emotion management, effective communication, and giving and receiving empathy. This is a great way for students to gain a better understanding of themselves and others. This group generally has 6 to 9 members and is facilitated by two mental health professionals. 90 minutes per session / once per week

Whole-Self Healing: Trauma-Sensitive Yoga

Led by one of our staff psychologists who is also a RYT 200 yoga and meditation instructor, this yoga group is for those in recovery from any kind of trauma. The objective of trauma-sensitive yoga is not to access emotions or dredge up trauma memories, but rather to help group members heighten their body awareness—to notice what is happening inside their bodies—and thereby learn to release tension, reduce and control fear and arousal, and tolerate sensation. Whether it is a recent trauma or something long standing, this experience will help reestablish connection between mind and body in an evidence-based treatment. This group is suitable for the first-timer as well as the experienced yogi. 60 to 90 minutes per session / once per week