Abigail Wyche

MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan University President Kerri Schuiling has provided an update to students on the university’s recent efforts to improve mental health, which include an additional role for one faculty member.

NMU’s efforts have involved former NMU Trustee Jim Haveman, who has a background in mental health leadership.

“As many of you know, Jim Haveman’s campus mental health assessment has been ongoing since May,” Schuiling wrote. “Thank you to so many of you who met with Jim in person or by phone call to be interviewed, and to those individuals who provided him with copies of reports and data that will enable his final report to be comprehensive in scope.

“Those of us who have had the privilege of working with Jim to address challenges know he is focused, passionate and energetic.”

NMU earlier this year experienced a student death, which got a lot of visibility on campus and raised the mental health issue.

Schuiling said Haveman anticipates his final report with recommendations will be ready sometime in July.

“This is earlier than expected, which we see as extremely helpful because it enables us to begin the work of meeting the challenges we have and it allows us to have some of the recommendations in place by this fall,” Schuiling said. “That said, it became clear that our campus needed someone with expertise and a willingness to take this work on immediately and commit to continuing the work throughout the upcoming academic year.”

Schuiling announced that Abigail Wyche, head of the Department of Sociology and Social Work, has agreed to be the special adviser for campus mental health and wellness for the upcoming academic year.

“As most across our campus know, Abigail has impressive expertise and experience in understanding the relationships between risk factors among members of the campus community and protective factors in the environment,” she said. “She will advance initiatives designed to promote resilience among students, faculty and staff who confront adverse events that can negatively impact mental health and wellness.

“She has already initiated dialogue with relevant community agencies and members of the campus community to collect additional information and data, and to explore potential collaborations moving forward.”

Schuiling expressed her gratitude to Wyche for agreeing to take on the role and to interim Provost Dale Kapla as well as the faculty in the Department of Sociology and Social Work, who she noted helped make the arrangement possible.

Wyche’s office during the time she serves in this role is in 610 Cohodas.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.