History of the Work in Progress Campaign
In spring 2018, John Tucci approached the Health Promotion and Wellness office wanting to make a difference on the issue of mental health. He disclosed that he was going to counseling and it was really helpful. He said that if he knew that others were going to counseling, he might have gone a lot earlier. His idea was to find an outlet for students to share their own struggles, how they are overcoming them, and help people realize that everyone, even those you look up to, are works in progress. That fall we had our first roll out of posters and the campaign has been growing ever since.
Some of the participants in the Work in Progress campaign have also provided their emails. Please feel free to reach out if their stories resonate with you. They know going through these challenges alone can be difficult and would love to provide any support they can.
Name: Kae Kirkwood
Year in School: Senior
What are some things you are involved in on campus? Self-Care club president, Peer Health Advocate, leadership scholar, leadership coach
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges?
Eating Disorder Recovery. I am practicing good coping mechanisms, learning to love myself, seeing a counselor, and gaining confidence.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: I feel like eating disorders among women in college is high and if I can shine a light on the fact that is does get better, maybe I can help influence some members of the JCU community to learn to love themselves as well.
Email: kkirkwood22@jcu.edu
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Name: Uche Ike
Year in School: Senior
What are some things you are involved in on campus? BSA (Black Students in Action), Arrupe Scholars Program, CDSI MELT Mentor, and JCU Cru
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges? I struggle to maintain my anxiety as well as insecurity and self doubt. I manage these challenges by reading self affirmations everyday, talking to my friends, working out and spending time in prayer.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: I never really thought about participating in the WIP campaign because I was too ashamed for others to know about my struggles, but if it is a way of someone relating to my struggles and this helps them feel less alone, then that is what I want to see from sharing my story.
Email: uike22@jcu.edu
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Name: Lily Lathon
Year in School: Senior
What are some things you are involved in on campus? Chi Omega Fraternity, Carroll Crazies, Self Care Club, PHA, Little Theatre Society
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges? I struggle with anxiety and body image issues/bad relationship with food. I manage this by taking time for myself, journaling, surrounding myself with people I love, and being kind to myself.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: I wanted to participate because I think it is very important to show that we all struggle with health issues and that it is okay to not be okay, and to help others feel comfortable sharing their struggles.
Email: llathon22@jcu.edu
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Name: Earl Spurgin
What are some things you are involved in on campus? I am a faculty member.
I am the Faculty Advisor of the student Philosophy Club and a regular participant in the noon wallyball game.
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges?
I struggle with anxiety and depression. I try to stay active through cycling and hiking, and I rely on my dog and cats who are great companions.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: I hope students who are struggling with mental- and emotional-health issues find some comfort in knowing that faculty can relate to their struggles because faculty are susceptible to the same issues as are students.
Email: espurgin@jcu.edu
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Name: Sydnia De Franco
Position on Campus: Director, Arrupe Scholars Program
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges?
I struggle with anxiety and depression. I handle this challenge by purposefully making time to do things I love with people I love.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you? I wanted to participate in the WIP campaign because I want students to know that there are adults on campus who can relate to them and want to support them as they work through their mental health issues. I also think that unfortunately there are still stigmas surrounding mental health issues, and being open about what people are facing is very important. Knowing that your mental health goes hand in hand with your physical health is key. Your brain needs love & care too!
Email: stcheurekdjian@jcu.edu
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Name: Jasmine McCallum
Year in School: Senior
What are some things you are involved in on campus? PHA, Psych Club, Psi Chi Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society, Mail Center
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges?
Grief of my mom. I manage this by attending therapy sessions, spending more time with family/friends, and reminiscing on good times.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: I think that it is really important to share with others how people who surround you may be dealing with similar problems.
Email: jmccallum22@jcu.edu
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Name: Olivia Donadee
Year in School: Junior
What are some things you are involved in on campus? Campus Tour Guide, Peer Health Advocate, Honors Student Association Social Chair, Pre-Health Society, PT/OT Club, Campus Ministry
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges? Some challenges I am working through include eating disorder recovery, overcoming perfectionism and negative self-talk. I manage this by treating myself with kindness, fueling my body well and moving in ways that make me feel good.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: I am a PHA and I think it is so important to raise awareness about mental health issues and destigmatize it so we can be more accepting of each other!
Email: odonadee23@jcu.edu
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Name: Anthony Fortunato
Year in School: Senior
What are some things you are involved in on campus? VSA (Veteran Students of America) JCU branch. A student government group on campus. I am former treasurer and current member.
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges?
I struggle with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, hypertension, and heart complications. I manage this through medication, therapy, counseling, and spending time with my pitbull (Diesel) who is a service animal in training.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: If my conditions, words, or story can benefit or motivate a student, veteran, or staff member at JCU. I want to share my story even if it helps one person.
Email: afortunato22@jcu.edu
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Name: Megan Sutterluety
Year in School: Senior
What are some things you are involved in on campus? Immersions, Arrupe, the Call Center, CSSA
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges?
I struggle with anxiety and depression. I journal, take walks outside, and call family members each week.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: I think mental health is extremely important. I have been struggling for a while and I am coming to the realization that it is okay to not be okay. Finding ways to manage your mental health is important. I want other people to know that there are resources to help them.
Email: msutterluety22@jcu.edu
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Name: Selena Alamir
Year in School: Sophomore
What are some things you are involved in on campus? Labre Ministry, Pre-Health Club, Volunteering to teach Esperanza's ESL Classes as well as Volunteering with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, & Virtual Immersions!
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges?
I struggle with anxiety, OCD, panic attacks, and finding balance. I manage these challenges through practicing spiritual guidance, journaling, exercising, and spending time with friends.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: I wanted to participate in this challenge because there is a huge stigma around mental illness that needs to be broken. When talking to a friend of mine, I mentioned that I had an appointment with my counselor. She shared with me that in high school she always felt pressured to keep her seeking help a secret which broke my heart. I hope that by participating in this campaign, those that view me as "put together" or "always happy" will understand that there is always much more deeper than the surface. All struggles are valid and don't define who we are. Together, we are a work in progress.
Email: salamir24@jcu.edu
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Name: Marie Pinzone
Year in School: Senior
What are some things you are involved in on campus? Member of Varsity Cross Country and Track Teams, Carroll Faith Communities Executive Board member and Group Leader, Creative Arts Club President
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges?
I struggle with my body image, eating habits, and comparing myself to others. I handle these challenges by journaling to God, going to the counseling center, and spending time with those who love me for me.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: I often feel the need to put up a front like everything is going great in my life. The truth is, that's really not the case. On social media, many people show only their highlights--never their hardships. While it's great to share when things are going well, when you're struggling and everyone else seems to be having a great time, it can make you feel all alone. The 'Work in Progress' campaign is important to me because it helps shed light on the fact that you never are (and you never were) alone at all.
Email: mpinzone22@jcu.edu
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Name: Jenny Arnold
Year in School: Senior
What are some things you are involved in on campus? Psychology Club President, Campus Ministry Retreat Team Leader, Peer Mentor
What is a challenge or two that you are facing right now and what are you doing to manage these challenges? I struggle with my eating habits and self doubt. I manage this by doing yoga, prioritizing my health, journaling, and surrounding myself with a loving community.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?: This campaign means a lot to me because it reminds us that there is strength to be found in recognizing the challenges we face. I hope that this community is able to see that each of us have our own battles to face and that being kind to one another is everything. In our brokenness may we find hope in the healing to come.
Email: jlarnold22@jcu.edu
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Name: John Tucci
Alum: Graduated 2019, Creator of Campaign
I struggle with depression and anxiety.
I handle this challenge by attending counseling sessions as well as talking to and spending time with my friends.
Why did you want to participate in the WIP Campaign and/or why is it important to you?
This campaign is important to me because it brings people together under a very simple premise - we as people all have our own challenges, we all handle them differently - and at the end of the day, we are all a work in progress.