Campus Health Launches WellCats: A Digital Hub for Student Wellness
WellCats, the newest addition to the Campus Health website portfolio, is a dynamic health education hub designed to support holistic health and mental well-being through easily accessible, student-centered content. Curated by Campus Health and Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) professionals, the site brings together trusted information on topics students frequently seek support for—ranging from sleep, stress, and nutrition to mental health, relationships, and coping with current events. Drawing from both Health and Wellness data and years of direct student engagement, WellCats was created to increase access to reliable health and wellness information in the digital space.
"We know that digital health communication is essential, it’s where students are," said Carrie Johnson, Health Communications Manager, a co-creator behind WellCats. "Providing real, reliable, and relevant information online allows us to extend the reach and impact of our in-person outreach. When content is succinct, interactive, and easy to understand, especially when it comes to health, it resonates more with students and they are more likely to engage with the content. WellCats aligns with Campus Health’s philosophy about meeting students where they are and whatever stage of wellness they’re in. It gives them information, tools, and strategies for making informed, health-promoting decisions anytime, anywhere.”
This new site joins the broader toolkit of Campus Health's interventions, that happen outside of the clinic which includes in-person education, workshops, outreach events, peer-led programs, and social media engagement. Data from the past six years of @UAZCampusHealth social media platforms confirms that digital education effectively increases health knowledge and promotes health-supportive behaviors. Additionally, the success of Campus Health's Prevent Suicide website has shown that dedicated online spaces can serve as impactful health intervention tools—expanding Campus Health's ability to inform, support, and empower students.
“We designed this site with students in mind. Campus Health staff and providers can share content directly with their student patients but the information is also accessible for the broader Campus Community. That makes WellCats an intervention tool in itself,” said Leslie Ralph, Assistant Director for Outreach, Groups, & Technology with CAPS and co-creator behind WellCats.
Expansion plans are already underway to respond to ever evolving student needs. “We’re constantly learning from student data about student’s top concerns or things that would be helpful for them and exploring ways to create content that’s relevant and actionable,” said Leslie. Topics like healthy relationships, travel, mood disorders, body image, and substance use will be added to WellCats over the coming year.
Whether you're a student navigating college life or a supporter looking to help, WellCats offers tools, strategies, and insights to help your community.