By: Emily Linginfelter ~Staff Writer~

The Division of Student Affairs recently began reorganizing wellness-related services under broader categories in spring 2015, and the department plans to expand its services throughout the academic year.The subdivisions of the Student Wellness Model now include departments such as Student Integrity, Health Services, Counseling Services and Psychological Services. The services offered will not be affected by this process, but additional funding has made it possible to hire new medical and counseling staff, a care management coordinator and an administrative assistant for Student Integrity, who will assist in improving the responses to student behavioral and mental health needs.

“We’ve merged and added a couple of positions to help us do a little more to support student well-being,” Jean Griffin, the director of Student Integrity and dean of students, said. The word “well-being” is a broad term. It includes interconnected personal qualities such as emotional wellness and behavioral choices, according to Griffin.

As expected, these qualities can produce an effect on students’ overall and day-to-day performance, especially as learners in the classroom and active members in the Xavier community.

“Our department wants to see students succeed and leave the university as men and women with and for others. They first have to start with themselves by building the proper tools and strategies needed for balancing their health,” Griffin said.

The missing component to the wellness department is student- led work, according to Griffin. Similar to the national trends, administrators within the Xavier campus have noticed an increase in requests for clubs and organizations that support mental health issues. This has generated engagement and advocacy through organizations such as the Xavier Student Wellness Advocacy Group and Xavier Students Against Destructive Decisions Every Day.

Throughout the upcoming academic year, Griffin said that she and other staff members of Student Affairs hope to incorporate these passionate minds into the growth and development of cura personalis, or the care for the whole person, approach to campus health.

For anyone interested in promoting the Xavier Wellness Model and advocating new programs, contact Jean Griffin (griffinj6@ xavier.edu).