May 1, 2023

Dear faculty, staff and students,

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to highlight the significance of caring for our mental health and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues. This month provides an opportunity to build awareness, learn about self-care strategies and develop skills that benefit ourselves and others.

UAF has a wealth of resources available to students, faculty, and staff to provide wellness services, mental health assistance and essential skills training. The Student Health and Counseling Center is a great resource for students, offering support groups every semester, outreach services, numerous campus wellness activities and support services, and handouts with community mental health resources. 

The Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities promotes a self-care resource page, and the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library has a dedicated page with information about multiple organizations that can assist students. The Well is another valuable resource where students, staff, and faculty can participate in activities that promote happiness and well-being, with links to resources on the UAF Troth Yeddha’ campus that are designed to support well-being, fitness, and mental health. 

Employees are eligible for free counseling through the Employee Assistance Program, and those enrolled in a UA Choice Health Plan have access to various health and wellness programs.

Now is the ideal time to begin discussing mental health. Whether we've personally experienced mental health issues or have a friend or family member who has, most of us have been impacted by these challenges in some way. Knowing how to take care of ourselves and look out for each other can make a significant difference in our lives and those we work and learn with.

Thanks for choosing UAF.

Dan White, chancellor