Alcohol, marijuana, and other substances can impact mental health in ways that are often underestimated, especially during the college years when stress, social pressures, and life transitions are common. This interactive workshop invites students to explore how substance use can influence emotional wellbeing, decision-making, academic performance, and social relationships. Through open discussion and engaging content, students will learn practical strategies for harm reduction, healthy coping, and how to recognize when support is needed. The session also introduces key SCN resources, including Vanderbilt Recovery Support, to help students make informed choices and stay connected to care.  

This workshop is typically delivered in 50 minutes but can be adjusted by up to 10 minutes in either direction to accommodate time constraints, while maintaining the integrity of the curriculum.   

Anxiety is one of the most common challenges college students face, often impacting focus, sleep, relationships, and overall wellbeing. This presentation helps students recognize how anxiety can manifest in their thoughts, emotions, and physical responses. Participants will learn how to identify early signs of anxiety and practice effective strategies to manage symptoms and maintain emotional balance. The presentation also encourages self-awareness, reduces stigma, and connects students with campus resources through the SCN to support their own mental health and that of their peers. 

This presentation is typically delivered in 30 minutes but can be extended to 60 minutes to allow for additional content and discussion. To maintain the integrity of the material, the session cannot be shortened to less than 30 minutes. 

College is a time when body image issues can surface or intensify, affecting how students feel, think, and relate to themselves. This presentation explores how societal messages influence our relationships with our bodies and with food. Students will learn to recognize signs of disordered eating, understand its impact, and develop practical strategies to challenge harmful thoughts and behaviors. The presentation fosters reflection, reduces mental health stigma, and connects students to supportive resources through the Student Care Network.  

To ensure the effectiveness and integrity of the content, this presentation is delivered as a 60-minute presentation and cannot be shortened. When requesting this presentation, please ensure the full timeframe can be accommodated to support a meaningful learning experience. 

As part of our outreach and engagement efforts, the SCN offers tabling services at campus events, fairs, and other student-focused gatherings. One or more representatives or peer guides are available to attend on behalf of SCN to provide information about the departments, programs, and available support services. Representatives will come prepared with educational materials and promotional items to facilitate meaningful interactions and increase student awareness of the comprehensive wellbeing resources offered through SCN. When completing the Outreach form, please indicate whether you would prefer one representative or multiple representatives to attend the event, based on your anticipated audience size and event format. 

Cultivating Wellbeing focuses on the interdependent relationship of wellness dimensions that can ultimately lead students, over a period of time, to a consistently healthy lifestyle. Students will have the opportunity to explore social wellness, occupational wellness, intellectual wellness, emotional wellness, physical wellness, and spiritual wellness. Throughout the session, students will also self-reflect on how they currently cultivate habits of each of the wellness dimensions, and they will engage in an activity to see where their wellbeing stands. Ultimately, students will become more aware of how they can nurture various relationships, become more accountable for financial decisions, recognize whether or not career ambitions are personally satisfying, face adversity and challenges head on, implement healthy exercise and dietary habits, improve sleep quality, and examine their values, ethics, and core beliefs.

Supporting suicide prevention involves a collaborative campus approach, where each member of the community can contribute to a culture of care and connection. Faculty and staff are often the first line of contact for students in distress and are well-positioned to recognize when something is wrong and take meaningful steps to connect students to support. 

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) certification provides the tools to recognize warning signs of suicide, engage in supportive conversations, and guide individuals toward appropriate care. This evidence-based training certifies participants as Faculty and Staff Dorekeepers for one year and builds practical skills to respond confidently and compassionately in moments of concern. The certification also highlights a high-level overview of the resources available through SCN, equipping faculty and staff with knowledge to better support student mental health and contribute to a caring, connected campus environment. This session provides a brief overview of the Student Care Network and is not intended as an in-depth review. Faculty and staff seeking a more comprehensive understanding are encouraged to schedule the extended training session, VU Cares: A Guide to SCN Services. 

This certification training follows a proprietary curriculum and has a fixed duration of 120 minutes. The time cannot be modified. Please take this into consideration when scheduling. 

Financial wellness is essential to students' overall health and success in college. Reaching out for help and learning ways to manage your finances are important steps toward taking care of both your mind and your future. For information about scheduling this workshop, please contact Ciara Smith at the CSW at healthydores@vanderbilt.edu. 

Imposter syndrome and perfectionism are common among students and can significantly impact mental health, leading to anxiety, burnout, and feelings of inadequacy. Promoting self-compassion, normalizing help-seeking, and connecting students to campus support resources are essential steps in fostering academic and emotional well-being. This workshop will explore the concept of imposter syndrome, offering actionable strategies to recognize and overcome it. It will also highlight the support resources available to students through the SCN.  

The presentation is typically delivered in 45 minutes but can be extended to 60 minutes to allow for additional content and discussion. To maintain the integrity of the material, the workshop cannot be shortened to less than 30 minutes. 

Stress is a common part of the college experience but learning how to manage it in healthy ways can make a meaningful difference in both academic performance and overall wellbeing. Regular mindfulness practices can help reduce stress, strengthen resilience, improve concentration, and promote a greater sense of calm and clarity.    

A key focus of the session will be a mindfulness practice, a skill that involves paying attention with intention and without judgment in the present moment. Students will explore the science and research related to mindfulness, learn simple techniques to enhance self-awareness, and practice relaxation exercises that can be applied in daily life. The session also encourages reflection on how to integrate these tools into routines that support long-term mental and emotional health.  

The duration of the presentation or workshop can be discussed and tailored in consultation with the Student Care Network, provided the adjustments do not compromise the integrity of the content. The Center for Student Wellbeing also offers weekly meditations as a part of their Weekly Wellbeing Practices. 

This is the faculty-facing version, with an emphasis on how faculty and staff can take an important step in supporting student wellbeing and reinforcing a culture of care across campus.

College life presents a variety of challenges and stress is a common aspect of student experience. This presentation is designed to equip faculty and staff with the skills to recognize signs of emotional distress, respond with empathy, and connect students to appropriate support services. Grounded in evidence-informed practices, the presentation emphasizes the vital role faculty and staff play in fostering student wellbeing and contributing to a compassionate and responsive campus environment. This session serves as a strong foundation for those interested in further engagement through QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training. In encouraging early intervention and shared responsibility, the program helps strengthen the campus community’s collective capacity to care for one another. Additionally, it highlights the wide range of services offered through the Student Care Network, reinforcing a holistic and inclusive approach to student wellness. 

To ensure the effectiveness and integrity of the content, this presentation is delivered as a 60-minute presentation and cannot be shortened. When requesting this presentation, please ensure the full timeframe can be accommodated to support a meaningful learning experience. 

College life can be overwhelming, and stress is a common part of the student experience. As student leaders, friends, classmates, or roommates, recognizing when someone is struggling is key to helping them get the support they need. This peer-to-peer training equips students with the knowledge and confidence to recognize signs of emotional distress, respond with empathy, and take appropriate action to support a fellow student’s wellbeing. 

By encouraging early intervention and a shared sense of responsibility, the training helps strengthen a campus culture where students look out for each other. It also increases awareness of the wide range of professional resources and ongoing wellness initiatives available through the SCN promoting a connected and caring community that encompasses VU CARES philosophy. For those who want to take their individual impact even further, this training also serves as a strong foundation for participating in Student Dorekeeper Certification.  

To ensure the effectiveness and integrity of the content, this training is delivered as a 60-minute presentation and cannot be shortened. When requesting this presentation, please ensure the full timeframe can be accommodated to support a meaningful learning experience. 

Everyone experiences stress but understanding how it shows up in your life is the first step toward managing it effectively. This interactive workshop helps students identify personal stress triggers and recognize physical, emotional, or behavioral cues, while building practical skills to manage stress in healthy, long-term ways. Stress can take many forms, from everyday pressures to overwhelming situations, and if left unaddressed, it can escalate into a crisis.  

Students will explore the science behind stress response and wellbeing practices and have the opportunity to participate in activities designed to integrate healthy practices into everyday life – to support emotional balance and academic success. In addition to fostering self-awareness and coping strategies, the session connects students with SCN, which supports holistic student wellbeing. 

The duration of the presentation or workshop can be discussed and tailored in consultation with the Student Care Network, provided the adjustments do not compromise the integrity of the content. 

Preventing suicide is a shared responsibility, and every member of the campus community has a role to play. Students are often among the first to notice when a friend, classmate, or peer is struggling. Knowing how to respond can make all the difference. 

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training provides students with the tools to recognize the warning signs of suicide, initiate a supportive conversation, and connect someone to help. This evidence-based training certifies participants as Student Dorekeepers for one year and builds their confidence to step in with care and compassion when it matters most. 

Ask a question. Save a life. By becoming a Student Dorekeeper through QPR training, students gain the skills to recognize when someone is in crisis, offer support, and help connect them to life-saving resources, offering hope when it’s needed most. The session also introduces the wide range of mental health and wellness resources available through the Student Care Network (SCN), helping students feel more informed, empowered, and connected to the support systems on campus. By completing QPR training, students join a growing network of peers dedicated to fostering a safer, more supportive VU community. This certification includes a brief overview of the Student Care Network and is not intended as a comprehensive review. Students interested in a deeper understanding are encouraged to attend the extended training session, VU Cares: A Guide to SCN Services. 

This certification training follows a proprietary curriculum and has a fixed duration of 120 minutes. The time cannot be modified. Please take this into consideration when scheduling. 

This required training provides student event hosts with essential information and tools to plan and manage safe, responsible gatherings, whether alcohol is present or not. Designed for individuals or organizations hosting events on or off campus, the presentation covers the host’s responsibilities in promoting health and safety, understanding applicable Tennessee State Laws and Vanderbilt University Policies, and implementing strategies to prevent impaired driving and substance-related harm.  

The training also emphasizes informed decision-making, accountability, and connection to campus resources, which offers ongoing support related to substance use, health, and wellbeing. Attending this training helps ensure a safe environment for all event participants and reinforces the shared responsibility of creating a healthy campus culture. 

To ensure the effectiveness and integrity of the content, this training is required annually (once per academic year) for student event hosts and delivered as a presentation with a maximum viewing time of 1 hour. When requesting this training. Please ensure the full timeframe can be accommodated to support a meaningful learning experience. 

College requires students to take greater responsibility for their learning. Developing strong study habits early can help students manage coursework effectively and maintain balance. The Study Skills workshop is designed to support students who may be experiencing difficulties with classes, working to improve their GPA, or seeking to enhance their study techniques. While especially helpful for those facing academic challenges or managing demanding schedules, the session is beneficial for any student aiming to become a more efficient and confident learner. Participants will explore practical strategies for time management, concentration, organization, and academic confidence.  

The duration of the presentation or workshop can be discussed and tailored in consultation with the Student Care Network, provided the adjustments do not compromise the integrity of the content. 

Reproductive wellness is essential to both academic success and personal wellbeing. This presentation empowers undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to navigate gynecological care with agency and confidence. Participants will gain a clear understanding of what to expect during a first gynecological visit, such as when to schedule, how to prepare, and what services may be offered — such as routine exams, birth control consultations, and STI testing. While this workshop prioritizes individualized and person-centered care in a clinical space, no personal information will be requested. For additional details or to register, students can contact Hannah Proctor at reprohealthandparenting@vanderbilt.edu.  

The duration of the presentation can be discussed and tailored in consultation with the Student Care Network, provided the adjustments do not compromise the integrity of the content. 

The Student Care Network is a holistic system of health and wellness resources available to all Vanderbilt University students who have paid the Student Health Fee. It is composed of four key departments: Student Care Coordination (SCC), the Center for Student Wellbeing (CSW), the University Counseling Center (UCC), and the Student Health Center (SHC). Working collaboratively, these departments provide integrated support that addresses mental health, physical health, prevention, and wellness education. This presentation offers a thorough overview of the Student Care Network, with the goal of increasing awareness of available services and helping participants navigate the system more effectively. Through this session, participants will be better prepared to guide students toward appropriate mental health resources, enhance access to comprehensive care, support whole-student wellbeing throughout their academic experience, and explore additional outreach and training opportunities. 

This concise overview of the extended VU Cares: Your Guide to SCN Services is designed to be delivered in 15 minutes or less. Tailored to the Vanderbilt University community who have been part of the community for over a year, the session provides a focused summary of key updates and essential information about the Student Care Network. It highlights the roles of the core departments that work collaboratively to ensure students receive coordinated support and streamlined access to health and wellness resources. 

The Student Care Network, in partnership with the Office of Faculty Development and AdvancED, launched the VU CARES Fellow Program, an initiative that empowereds faculty to promote student mental health and foster a culture of care across campus. Faculty nominees are reviewed by a selection committee and, if selected, are eligible to receive a stipend in recognition of their participation. VU CARES Fellows will develop skills in recognizing students in distress, fostering belonging through inclusive teaching, addressing behavioral health concerns with compassion, and complete a certification in QPR suicide prevention training. New cohorts are admitted each summer in preparation for the upcoming academic year. Please refer to the SCN website during the Spring for the most up-to-date information.