Program Overview

UMatter is a comprehensive initiative that focuses on promoting positive mental health behaviors. A student-focused program designed to engage student-to-student conversation about mental health to eliminate negative stigmas and to promote healthy student interaction and positive mental health practices. The goal of the program is to raise awareness about emotional and physical self-care, and teach the necessary skills for students to make self-affirming choices in college, but also throughout their lifetime.

UMatter is an initiative funded by a grant awarded to Chico State by the California Mental Health Services Administration. This start-up program is designed to eliminate negative stigmas and to promote healthy student interaction and positive mental health practices.

Each spoke of UMatter represents an aspect of well-being for students at Chico State. They attempt to raise awareness of campus resources so students can integrate healthy behaviors into their lives.

The Matters:

1. Self-care
2. Safety
3. Language
4. Action
5. Consent
6. Alcohol
7. Listening
8. Purpose

The mission of the UMatter program is to…

• advocate for individuals with mental illness
• educate about resources
• converse about mental health and stigma
• embrace self-compassion, vulnerability and mistakes
• model compassion for others and bystander intervention

Created by the UMatter interns and staff, 2014