September is a big month for well-being. Across campuses — including Clemson — we shine a light on suicide prevention, alcohol and other drug misuse, interpersonal violence prevention, hazing prevention and mental health. These aren’t separate issues; they overlap in powerful ways. Health risks rarely occur in silos. Many times, the things that cause us the most struggle have inter-related connections. If we don’t talk about what causes us to struggle, then it festers in the dark. Consequently, at the center of these initiatives for September, there is one goal: building a culture where every Tiger is seen, safe and supported.
One of the reasons I talk consistently about building community, showing up for each other and caring about well-being, is because — when things are frustrating, things are out of control, things make you stressed — showing up is one of those actions we have complete agency over. When our world feels out of control, we always have control over how we show up and care for ourselves and others. That’s important to me, and I hope it’s important to you as well.
This month, there are a lot of ways and opportunities to show up, get involved and tackle a wellness practice that is meaningful for you. Whether you are student, faculty or staff member, we are kicking off this new academic semester with many events and initiatives and I want to share some of those with you:
Creative Inquiry in Health Promotion
This fall, Healthy Campus launched a new Creative Inquiry called Health Promotion Outreach, Support, and Assessment. Students will lead campaigns, support observances like Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Alcohol Awareness Week and begin organizing this spring’s Out of the Darkness Walk. It’s a chance for students to shape wellness on campus while learning evidence-based outreach and evaluation skills.
Recovery Support Expansion
Thanks to a $50,000 award from the SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS), Healthy Campus has funded a new graduate assistant for recovery to expand support through Clemson All In Recovery. This means more peer-led meetings, more outreach, and more ways for students to know recovery belongs here.
Suicide Prevention: At Clemson, Tigers Together is our shared commitment to suicide prevention — training us all to recognize the warning signs and connect others to help. It’s a course not only for students, but also employees to be trained in recognizing the signs of mental health crisis. For students, CAPS offers counseling, groups, and same-day urgent support. Faculty and staff can access confidential counseling and referrals through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). And for anyone, at any time, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects you directly with a culturally competent, trauma-informed responder who will listen and guide you to care. No matter what your role on campus, support is here — and you are worth it.
Celebrate Safely: At Clemson we look out for each other — before we go out, we plan ahead, while out we step up and at the end of the day we make sure we all return home safely. If you chose to drink, eat before, pace yourself and alternate with water. And if something goes wrong, call for help.
Interpersonal Violence Prevention starts with the understanding consent must always be clear, mutual and freely given. Alcohol or drugs impair consent. For those seeking support, Clemson’s Office of Access Compliance and Education provides reporting options and CAPS and EAP are available for counseling and care.
Hazing Prevention is about protecting the safety and belonging of every Tiger. Hazing doesn’t build community, it causes harm. Clemson is committed to fostering traditions that uplift, not endanger. Be a Tiger that has the courage to stand up for other Tigers and our values as a campus.
A Final Word
Well-being is everyone’s responsibility — but no one must do it alone. This September, let’s show up for one another. Ask directly if someone is struggling, listen without judgment and connect them to care. The most powerful prevention tool we have is each other.
If you’d like to host training, co-sponsor an event or bring well-being into your classroom or team, we are here to help. Together, we can keep building a community where every Tiger can thrive.
