Buff Brief Volume 6, Number 3

September 7, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE

For the most up to date information from West Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M University System about COVID-19, visit the University's COVID-19 Information Page.

The History of Labor Day

Mental Health First Aid: Suicide Prevention

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Four members of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences are certified and equipped to deliver certification courses in Youth Mental Health First Aid: Dr. Kevin Williams, Associate Professor Department of Agricultural Sciences; Gretchen Henley, Scholastic Performance Specialist; Zach McMeans, Student Success Coordinator, and Rebekah Bachman, Assistant Dean.

Mental Health First Aid is a valuable resource that can make a difference in the lives of the one in five Americans living with mental illnesses and addictions, including those experiencing suicidal thoughts. This eight-hour in-person training teaches people how to support someone who may be developing a mental illness or experiencing a crisis.

Upcoming trainings are scheduled in October and November. Please contact Gretchen Henley (ghenley@wtamu.edu) if you are interested in becoming a Youth Mental Health First Aider.

Student Counseling Services is looking forward to meeting student's mental health needs whether you are on campus (brick) or off campus (click). Your safety is important to us.

We are offering a variety of services this semester including traditional crisis intervention, video counseling to allow for mask-free sessions, and in-person and videoconferencing groups. Additionally, we will offer workshops through our social media accounts, and our online platform TAO to allow for more flexible ways to receive the support you need.

Call us at 806-651-2340 or come by Student Counseling Services (CC 116) for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Counseling Services

Suicide Rates Across Job Categories

See the Statistics

You Matter. Buffs Matter.

Text the crisis line, text "HOME" to 741-741

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (available 24 hours)

1-800-273-8255

WT Health and Wellness is partnering with Student Counseling Services on September 8th - September 11th from12:00PM-1:00PM in the JBK Student Center to discuss suicide awareness.

National Recovery Month:

September

National Suicide Prevention Day:

September 10th

Suicide Prevention Week:

September 6th - 12th

World Suicide Prevention Day:

September 20th

Learn the Signs

Suicide Facts

#MaskUpBuffs

2020 Back-to-School

Extravaganza!

Students, faculty, and staff, thank you for coming out to our second annual

Back-to-School Extravaganza on September 1st!

We hope you all had as much fun as we did!

- The Dean's Team

Dr. Derl Brooks, 90, of Lubbock, Texas, passed away on August 13, 2020. A celebration of life service was held on August 15, 2020, at the City of Lubbock cemetery.

Dr. Brooks began at West Texas State University in 1965 where he spent his career teaching in the Biology Department until his retirement in 1992. At that time, he was named Professor Emeritus at West Texas A&M University.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

Coming Soon...

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,

and the life of the candle will not be shortened.

Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

- Buddha

806-651-2585 ~ buffbrief@wtamu.edu ~ https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/college-agriculture-natural-sciences/index.html