UW–Madison 2023 Senior Class Gift Leaves a Legacy of Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2023   

Contact Information:
Kevin Jacobson, University of Wisconsin–Madison Senior Class Communications Director
Email: seniorclass@chancellor.wisc.edu
READ RELEASE ONLINE: union.wisc.edu/about/news/2023-senior-class-gift

UW–MADISON 2023 SENIOR CLASS GIFT LEAVES A LEGACY OF SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

MADISON – The University of Wisconsin–Madison Senior Class Office (SCO) will gift funds to the Center for Healthy Minds Higher Education Fund as its 2023 senior class gift.

Every year, the students of the UW–Madison SCO choose a project or beneficiary of its senior class gift. SCO raises funds to leave a legacy for the class and improve UW–Madison in a tangible way.

The class of 2023 has faced many challenges, including going home halfway through the 2019-20 academic year due to COVID-19. In recognition of those challenges and their impact on the mental health of the graduating class, the Senior Class Office will partner with the Center for Healthy Minds, an organization founded by UW–Madison psychology professor Richard J. Davidson, Ph. D.

The Center for Healthy Minds operates with a mission to cultivate well-being and relieve suffering through a scientific understanding of the mind while envisioning a kinder, wiser and more compassionate world. Student leaders at UW–Madison prioritized these ideals by launching Healthy Minds on Campus, a student organization designed to extend the Center’s research to all corners of campus in a tangible way.

“We believe that this student-initiated organization will systematically improve the well-being of students at UW–Madison,” said Liam McLean, University of Wisconsin–Madison Senior Class Office president.

The Healthy Minds on Campus plans to host monthly guest speaker events focused on mental health, well-being and flourishing; forums, called Community Conversations, during which students can discuss mental health and well-being with their peers; and an annual mental health and well-being retreat. The organization also plans to work to raise awareness of the importance of well-being and evidence-based practices and habits that support well-being.

The SCO board encourages those graduating in the class of 2023 and all those interested in supporting the Center for Healthy Minds’s Higher Education Fund to donate to the class gift here. Donations will go toward advancing the development of work to support student and campus mental health goals, which aims to set a standard for a mental health awareness and establish a resource model that can spread to campuses across the nation.

Learn more about SCO and the 2023 senior class gift.

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About the University of Wisconsin–Madison Senior Class Office

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Senior Class Office Senior Class officers work each year in partnership with Student Affairs, the Wisconsin Union, the Office of the Chancellor, and the Wisconsin Alumni Association and Foundation to create an unforgettable senior class experience. This includes helping to plan both winter and spring commencement ceremonies, select the class gift, plan senior-inspired events, and advocate for the entire class. By bringing diverse passions together, the officers unite the senior class and cultivate Badger pride. Learn more at seniorclass.students.wisc.edu.

WPS Health Solutions: Discover treatment options for post-traumatic stress disorder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

Discover treatment options for post-traumatic stress disorder
WPS Health Solutions shares how millions of people deal with diagnosis each year

MADISON, Wis.—Feb. 15, 2023—Post-traumatic stress (PTS) can often be a result of exposure to severe trauma. It’s a normal response to a traumatic event. But sometimes, the effects of PTS are more extreme, and symptoms won’t go away on their own. That’s when it becomes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About six out of every 100 people will have PTSD at some point in their lives, and 12 million adults in the U.S. are diagnosed in a given year.

What are some of the treatment options for PTSD?

“There are a variety of treatment options for PTSD. Examples include talk therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes,” according to Dr. Ken Robbins, WPS Medical Director of Behavioral Health. “When considering options for treatment, talk therapy or psychotherapy—which involve talking with a professional about the experience and symptoms—is generally the first step.”

There are a few different types of therapy that are effective for treating PTSD, according to the American Psychological Association. These include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT involves discussing the trauma and your symptoms, and helping you implement better thought and behavioral patterns.
• Exposure therapy. This type of therapy involves talking through the trauma and working through it in an environment that is safe and nurturing. It allows you to fully process the experience and take time to examine it however you need.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. This is an interactive therapy that involves moving your eyes from side-to-side while recalling the traumatic events, so that you can process the events outside of the strong emotions that are attached to them.

In addition to therapy, medication is another great option available. There are a wide variety of options people can discuss with their doctor. 

Lifestyle changes and self-care practices are another important component of managing your symptoms. There are many different avenues you could take, but some of them might include:

• Learning about PTSD to better understand the symptoms
• Meditating
• Exercising
• Journaling
• Attending a support group
• Having a strong social network
• Reducing negative coping mechanisms

Beyond just treatment—how can I help myself?

One of the hardest things people are forced to do sometimes is make the choice to recognize that they need help and to try to take that first step. It’s important to remember that while therapy and treatments take time, they are scientifically proven to be a contributor to getting better.

To help yourself while pursuing other options for treatment:

• Talk with your doctor regularly about your treatment and other options.
• Engage in physical exercise to help reduce stress.
• Set realistic goals for yourself.
• Try to spend time with people you care about.
• Expect a gradual change in your symptoms, not immediate.
• Identify coping mechanisms to help yourself in times of crisis. 

Why do some develop PTSD and others do not?

It’s important to remember that not everyone who lives through a traumatic event will develop PTSD. In fact, most will not. 

There’s a variety of factors as to why a person will or won’t develop PTSD. Some of them are listed below. Risk factors are elements that will likely further develop PTSD, while resilience factors are components that help reduce the risk.

Some factors that increase the risk include:

• Living through dangerous events and traumas (for example, combat veterans).
• Getting injured or seeing another loved one hurt.
• Childhood trauma.
• Having little or no social support.
• Dealing with extreme stress around the event.
• Having a prior history of mental illness.

Some factors that promote resilience include:

• Seeking and receiving help from others.
• Learning to feel confident about yourself and your actions.
• Having positive coping mechanisms and ways to “get through things.”
• Being able to act and respond effectively, despite being afraid.

When should I seek help?

If you are having post-traumatic stress reactions that are lasting for longer than a month, or are severe, or if your daily life is being disrupted, you should seek professional help to see if you may have PTSD. Getting treatment as soon as possible can prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse.

Some other ways to get help include:

• Reach out to a close friend or a loved one.
• Contact a suicide hotline. In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. There is also a chat service through this same lifeline.
• Make an appointment with a doctor or mental health professional.

If you feel like you are suicidal or in immediate danger, get help right away. Call 988.

About WPS Health Solutions^®

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,700 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Note: This information is not intended to be medical advice.

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Nearly 26,000 meals donated by National Guardian Life Insurance Company to fight hunger

Donations for Share Your Holidays campaign benefit Second Harvest Foodbank

Madison, Wis. (January 25, 2023) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) proudly supported the 27^th Annual NBC15 Share Your Holidays to eliminate hunger campaign to benefit Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. The food/fund drive campaign helped raise 5.37 million meals surpassing its goal of 5 million meals.

NGL’s $10,000 Bronze sponsorship provided 25,000 meals for people who are struggling with hunger in our community. In addition to NGL’s corporate sponsorship, three of NGL’s team members volunteered during the Grand Finale Phone-A-Thon and seven team members volunteered for the Sort-A-Thon on December 14. Including the volunteer value time, NGL’s commitment to help those facing hunger meant nearly 26,000 meals were donated! The impact means that 23 people in our community will be fed for more than a year.

“We are grateful to support Second Harvest Foodbank and proud to be part of the positive impact they are making in our community. The unfortunate reality is that all area food banks are experiencing an increase in demand for food assistance. Second Harvest helps fill a crucial role for people who are facing hunger. At NGL, we believe everyone should have access to healthful, nutritious foods and that no one should feel hunger or worry where their next meal will come from,” said Maria Lubick, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications & Community Engagement at NGL.

For every $10 donation Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is able to provide up to 25 meals to adults, children and seniors who are struggling with hunger.

About Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin

Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, southwestern Wisconsin’s largest hunger relief organization, is a nonprofit that is committed to ending hunger in 16 southwestern Wisconsin counties through community partnerships. Learn more at:  www.secondharvestmadison.org.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

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Endres Foundation Announces November 2022 Grants

Read the press release here

2022 American Family Insurance Championship raises more than $2.2 million for charity

After COVID-related limitations on attendance and associated events in 2021, the PGA Tour Champions American Family Insurance Championship returned in 2022 with no restrictions and raised $2,234,000 for charitable organizations, it was announced today.

This brings the total amount raised for charity to $14,813,000 since the inaugural event in 2016.

Approximately half of the 2022 proceeds will be distributed to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, and 140 other primarily local charities will share the rest in varying amounts. 

The total proceeds raised and charitable organization recipients were revealed at an event today held at American Family Insurance corporate headquarters. The event featured championship host/player Steve Stricker, American Family Insurance CEO and Enterprise President Bill Westrate, American Family Children’s Hospital President Nikki Stafford, representatives from community nonprofit grant recipients, tournament sponsors and volunteers. The celebration of the tournament proceeds results was held in-person for the first time since 2019.

“Every year we are filled with even more gratitude for the amazing support we’ve received for the American Family Insurance Championship,” said Steve and Nicki Stricker. “Six years ago, we believed we had a good idea that would work, but we could’ve never imagined what a fantastic community this event has become – from volunteers to fans to sponsors. And the best part is, year after year we’re helping those in our community who need it most. That’s what we really celebrate today.”  

The sixth American Family Insurance Championship was held in June at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison. Fans from 32 states attended during the three days of tournament play and 925 volunteers from 14 states donated 20,000 hours of time to the event. The local economic impact of the tournament was estimated to be approximately $15 million. Total economic impact from 2016-2022 is estimated at $83 million.

“This is an exciting professional sporting event and so much more – an event that brings our community together for a great cause,” said Bill Westrate, American Family Insurance CEO and enterprise president. “We’re proud to sponsor the American Family Insurance Championship and raise money for nonprofit organizations whose programs and services make life better and more equitable with meaningful impact that lasts far beyond tournament week.”

In addition to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, here is just a sample of the other organizations addressing various needs in our communities and how the grant funds will be used: 

Badger Childhood Cancer Network
The Badger Childhood Cancer Network’s (BCCN) mission is to educate, support, serve and advocate for children with cancer and blood disorders, their families, survivors of childhood cancer and the professionals who care for them. As children and their families navigate their cancer journey, they’re provided with information and resources, emotional support, advocacy, financial assistance, age-appropriate toys, games and activities during lengthy hospital stays, and gifts during the holiday season.

Camp Hometown Heroes
Camp Hometown Heroes is a free week-long overnight summer camp for children and siblings of fallen U.S. Service members that provides a place for children to bond with others who have faced the same loss and also receive grief counseling to positively move forward in their lives.

Coalition for Children, Youth & Families
At the Coalition, they believe every child deserves a champion for love and support and every champion deserves support. Our mission is to inspire, inform and support families to build strength, confidence and resiliency. Their unique programs leverage innovative technologies to offer on-demand learning and resources while still providing compassionate, individualized one-on-one support.

Little John’s Restaurant
The mission of Little John’s Restaurant (LJR) is to increase access to nutritious chef-quality meals through food-rescue and food-excess programs. Working with local grocers and farmers to rescue under-utilized food resources, they turn those items into healthy meals for families. LJR believes that Food is Love and that good food should be available to everyone.

SHARP Literacy
SHARP Literacy offers a wide range of comprehensive STEAM-based programs that encourage curiosity, creativity and discovery while sharpening critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills. SHARP plays a critical role in narrowing the opportunity gap, and ultimately impacting families, communities and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. 

“The commitment of the American Family Insurance Championship to supporting the Madison and the surrounding areas has made it one of the top events on our Tour,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady. “The charitable efforts of American Family Insurance, Nicki and Steve Stricker and the tournament team have had a remarkable impact in Wisconsin, raising nearly $15 million since 2016. PGA TOUR Champions is proud to be part of an event that does so much for the local community.”

Next year’s event will be held June 3-11, 2023, with special events during the week and tournament play at University Ridge Friday-Sunday, June 9-11. Stricker will host the tournament for the seventh time and play for the sixth time.   

Anyone interested in volunteering for the 2023 event can sign up by accessing this link at the volunteer registration page.

See the complete list of 2022 grant recipients

See this infographic for statistics on the AmFam Champ from 2016-2022

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About Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation
Established in 2013 when Steve Stricker became a brand ambassador for American Family Insurance, the mission of the foundation is to inspire and develop strong families and healthy kids so they can pursue their dreams. The foundation supports organizations that produce tangible outcomes that align with this mission. Web: https://www.amfam.com/sponsorships/amfamchampionship/foundation; Twitter: @StrickerFNDN

About the American Family Insurance Championship
The American Family Insurance Championship was created in 2016 by American Family Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA player and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker. Since its inception, the championship and associated events have raised more than $14.8 million for the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. The 2023 championship will be held June 3 -11 at the University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information: Web: amfamchampionship.com; Twitter: @AmFamChamp; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: amfamchampionship. #AmFamChamp