8 Dimensions of Well-Being

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Big Changes on the Horizon

In the near future, Big Red Resilience & Well-being is merging into a brand-new campus Well-being Collective.

Additional details to be announced soon. Stay tuned.

8 Dimensions of Well-Being

Tree Branch

Emotional Well-being

This is the ability to successfully express and manage an entire range of feelings, including anger, doubt, hope, joy, as well as many others. Positive emotional well-being encompasses high self-esteem, positive body image, knowing how to regulate feelings and knowing where to seek support and help regarding mental health. It is not limited to seeking counseling services.

Big Red Resilience & Well-being (BRRWB) offers resources, support and skill building opportunities to help students understand emotions, manage stress, build strength, connect with others, develop grit and navigate transitions. Services include:

  • Well-Being Ambassadors are student volunteers who make a difference in the lives of other students by educating them on many important well-being topics. Ambassadors meet one-on-one with students to engage in well-being conversations and help make goals for personal wellness as well as work to increase awareness, encourage safer behaviors, promote informed choices, and enhance student health and well-being.
  • On-Demand Well-being Resources are available to help students whenever they choose. This includes well-being videos, an assessment with recommendations, and alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug screenings.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a safe, confidential place where a student can slow down, think out loud, get support, and start finding solutions. Services include individual and relationship counseling, and support and therapy groups. Some are open, inviting students to “drop in” at any point in the semester. CAPS also offers international student services, eating disorder treatment, alcohol and other drug counseling, and online mental wellness screenings.

Center for Advocacy, Response & Education (CARE) provides support for individuals who have experienced relationship violence or sexual assault. CARE Advocates are a confidential resource who can provide information about services and support decision-making. Advocates have no responsibility to take action or report to the university or police.

Counseling & School Psychology Clinic conducts psychological and educational evaluations of children and youth to address referral questions from parents/caregivers and or schools. In addition, clinic therapists provide individual child and adult therapy to address a wide range of referral concerns. Counseling Psychology graduate students offer therapy to UNL students for free and to community members at a reduced rate. 

Couple and Family Clinic provides culturally competent, systemic, compassionate mental health care to individuals, couples, and families. Comprised of passionate, caring advanced graduate student therapists and their supervisors, services and treatment are closely supervised by experienced clinicians who are licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Approved Supervisors of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential service offered to university employees and their immediate family members at no charge. Consultation and counseling are available to help faculty and staff with personal or work-related problems that can affect general well-being, work performance, or academic performance. Services include assessment, short-term counseling and/or referral; an employee emergency loan fund; mediation/conflict resolution; and trauma debriefing.

Center for Success and Transition (CAST) provides academic and transition coaching, peer mentors, and interactive workshops aimed at increasing retention and graduation rates at the university. Specifica programming supports first-generation students, international students and transfer students.

Gender and Sexuality Center works collaboratively to provide education, resources, consultation, outreach and advocacy to build a campus community inclusive of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. The center also liaises with CAPS for LGBTQA-focused mental health and suicide prevention counseling.

Psychological Consultation Center (PCC) clinicians and staff provide psychological services to individuals and families in Lincoln and surrounding communities. At the same time, the PCC is a teaching, training, and research center for the Clinical Psychology Training Program. Services are provided primarily by doctoral students with all services supervised by licensed clinical psychologists. Services include individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy, as well as psychological evaluation, consultation, and referral services. The PCC also offers specilty clinics such as:

  • Rainbow Clinic provides therapy to LGBTQ students and community members. 
  • Family Interaction Skills Clinic offers mental health consultation, assessment, and treatment for children, adolescents, and their families through collaborative partnerships with community agencies.
  • Substance Abuse Clinic provides individual therapy, which is tailored to the client's specific needs and focuses on both abstinence-based and harm reduction approaches and intensive outpatient therapy.
  • Telehealth Clinic An outreach service whose mission is to serve individuals who have limited access to quality mental health services due to geographic location.
  • Trauma Recovery ClinicProvides psychological services for people who are experiencing traumatic stress or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following any type of traumatic event, including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, accidents, disasters, physical assault or other crimes, and violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity or race.

Student Athlete Counseling is a component of the comprehensive Life Skills program in Nebraska Athletics. The Athletics Department provides Life Skills programming for every student-athlete, first to acclimate to campus, then to promote their total-person development.

Evaluate Yourself
Emotional Well-being

  • Do I strive maintain a balance of my obligations with work, school, family, friends, community and self?
  • Do I have effective, productive, and healthy ways to reduce stress in my life?
  • Do I have the ability to make decisions with minimal stress or worry?
  • Do I set healthy and realistic priorities for myself?
  • Do I likewise have healthy and realistic expectations for others in my life?

Maintaining a day-to-day balance of every demand on your time is nearly impossible. Tomorrow is another day, so seek for balance in the long-term.

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Environmental Well-Being

This is the ability to appreciate the external cues and stimuli from the environment. It means recognizing the limits of earth’s natural resources, realizing the effects of daily habits on the world around us and living a life accountable to environmental needs.

ASUN Green Fund provides grant fund for student-led projects directed toward improving overall environmental sustainability on the university campus. Projects have included the annual Earthstock festival, Green Infrastructure signage, the Alumin8 aluminum recycling project, “Bugeater” farms on East Campus, and the Lincoln Environmental Arts Festival.

Campus Recreation is committed to enhancing the educational experience and promoting lifelong wellness through excellent recreation programs, services, and facilities. Workout facilities are available on City and East Campuses.

  • Outdoor Adventures Center is home to the Outdoor Adventures program, existing to engage individuals and groups in adventure experiences for escape, education and enjoyment.
  • Bike UNL is a Recognized Student Organization at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with the mission to empower bicycling and bicycle education in the UNL community. Bike UNL is composed of students of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that believe in bettering the university through the support of bicycling.

Chancellor's Environment, Sustainability and Resilience Commission provides strategic recommendations and ongoing advice to the Chancellor related to the environmental, social and economic well-being of the university and its stakeholders.

Office of Sustainability develops strategies and action plans, and provides support for sustainability initiatives within the campuses and community. These initiatives are developed in order to create a culture of faculty, staff and students who are socially, economically and environmentally responsible.

Well-Being Ambassadors are student volunteers who make a difference in the lives of other students by educating them on many important well-being topics. Ambassadors meet one-on-one with students to engage in well-being conversations and help make goals for personal wellness as well as work to increase awareness, encourage safer behaviors, promote informed choices, and enhance student health and well-being.

Evaluate Yourself
Environmental Well-being

  • Do I attempt to reduce the amount of consumer waste I generate?
  • Do I recycle waste products as much as possible?
  • Do I try to solve safety hazards in my environment?
  • Do I volunteer my time to worthy causes?
  • Do I stay aware of my surroundings at all times?
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Financial Well-being

This is the ability to fully understand an individual’s current financial state. Financially well individuals set long and short-term goals to reach and achieve self-defined financial success.

Husker Hub is a one-stop resource for student enrollment and financial needs, including the University Registrar, Scholarships and Financial Aid, Bursar and Student Accounts. Additional services include Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) assistance, help applying for loans, grants, scholarships, exploring funding sources, and managing the disbursement of funds. They also provide helpful information about the cost of attendance and achieving satisfactory academic progress.

Husker Pantry is an on-campus resource to help students experiencing food and shelter insecurity. The pantry provides free food and hygiene items as well as information about community resources for housing and other food assistance programs.

Financial Well-being Ambassadors help students increase their financial literacy through mentoring, presentations and online resources. Mentoring sessions are available in-person, by phone or via email. Common session topics include spending plans, understanding financial aid, establishing credit, saving money and debt repayment.

Well-Being Ambassadors are student volunteers who make a difference in the lives of other students by educating them on many important well-being topics. Ambassadors meet one-on-one with students to engage in well-being conversations and help make goals for personal wellness as well as work to increase awareness, encourage safer behaviors, promote informed choices, and enhance student health and well-being.

Evaluate Yourself
Financial Well-being

  • Do I have a plan for financing my academic career and transitioning to my first career position?
  • Do I budget my spending each month (o.r pay period)?
  • Do I try my best to save a little money each month?
  • Do I have enough money to manage my living expenses?
  • Do I avoid consumer debt (carrying credit balances) whenever possible?
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Intellectual Well-being

This is the ability to seek knowledge and activities that further develop critical thinking and global awareness. Intellectually well individuals engage in lifelong learning and activities associated with a range of subjects that enrich their lives personally and professionally.

Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) provides academic and transition coaching, peer mentors, and interactive workshops aimed at increasing retention and graduation rates at the university.

  • Emerging Leaders Program supports recipients of the Nebraska Emerging Leaders Scholarship. Designed to create experiences that allow for personal leadership development and reflection, the program is here to guide your continued success during your first-year.

  • First Husker Program is designed to offer first generation students the support and guidance needed to succeed in your first semester and beyond.

Tutoring, Mentoring and Consulting services help students excel academically. From chemistry and math tutors to modern language tutors and writing assistance, the university offers services to help students succeed academically and programs to develop positive study habits.

Dish It Up! is an interactive weekly conversation led by series led by the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services where individuals can share their personal views, learn from others, and engage in civil discussions concerning current events, topics affecting students' lives, the university, and national/international happenings.

E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues annually brings prominent speakers with diverse views on international and public policy issues to the university and residents of the state to promote understanding and encourage debate.

ESL Support Lab is a free service offered by Programs in English as a Second Language to all international students at the University who need language-related assistance.  Consultants are trained ESL professionals who take great satisfaction in helping students succeed in their courses.

Hoagland Integrity in Public Service Lecture Series seeks to inspire young people to dedicate themselves to public service. The annual lectures features state and national leaders who prove that honor and integrity remain essential components in their service.

Military & Veteran Success Center: is dedicated to helping Military Dependents, Veterans, Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Students accomplish their academic goals.

Outdoor Adventures Center is home to the Outdoor Adventures program, existing to engage individuals and groups in adventure experiences for escape, education & enjoyment. Using adventure in its many forms, the center aims to expand and diversify student experiences and provide experiential education that accentuates lessons learned in the classroom.

Robert J. Kutak Center for the Teaching & Study of Applied Ethics highlights the importance of critical thinking and moral reasoning in resolving ethical dilemmas and to encouraging its exploration in the context of different disciplines and methods of inquiry.

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) facilitates equal and integrated access to the academic, social, cultural and recreational programs offered at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln while fostering independent decision-making skills necessary to achieve personal and academic success.

Student Conduct & Community Standards supports the University community by administering the UNL Student Code of Conduct and providing education to students, faculty, and staff related to responsible conduct, academic integrity, and community standards.

Thomas C. Sorensen Policy Seminar Series promotes discussion of policy issues among Nebraskans, encourages participation in public affairs and running for office, and educating newly elected officials.

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center links policy with research, process and practice. The center often hosts speakers and brown bag events to increase understanding and conversation about policies.

Well-Being Ambassadors are student volunteers who make a difference in the lives of other students by educating them on many important well-being topics. Ambassadors meet one-on-one with students to engage in well-being conversations and help make goals for personal wellness as well as work to increase awareness, encourage safer behaviors, promote informed choices, and enhance student health and well-being.

Evaluate Yourself
Intellectual Well-being

  • Do I keep myself open to new ideas and learning new skills?
  • Do I search for opportunities to learn and engage in activities that stimulate my mind?
  • Do I look for creative ways to do things or solve problems I see?
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Occupational Well-being

This is the ability to pursue a fulfilling career on a variety of levels. It includes finding satisfaction and enrichment in work while pursuing opportunities to reach professional goals.

Career Services is a centralized, comprehensive career center for students, alumni, faculty, and employers. Through career advising and career exploration services, students prepare for the workforce, professional or graduate school, or alternative employment. What Career Services offer:

Handshake is an online portal where students can engage with employers and search and apply for internships, co-ops, part-time/full-time jobs, work-study, and campus employment. Accounts are free and you can log in with your UNL single-sign-on credentials.

UNL Career Closet is a free on-campus resource for students. They offer clean and gently used professional clothing to help students put their best foot forward at career fairs and job interviews. There is a limit of 3 items per student with a valid NCard.

Global Experiences Office helps foster students' global awareness and professional growth by providing students with a variety of study, internship, research, and service-learning opportunities outside of the U.S.

Additional resources are available within colleges and advising centers:

Emerging Leaders Program supports recipients of the Nebraska Emerging Leaders Scholarship. Designed to create experiences that allow for personal leadership development and reflection, the program is here to guide your continued success during your first-year.

Graduate Career and Professional Development provides online resources, workshops and individual services to aid graduate students in career planning, managing prospective careers, and developing the skills and knowledge needed for professional and career advancement.

Husker GROW reinforces on-the-job learning that takes place through student employment. Through brief, structured conversations with a supervisor, the learning from student employment becomes more "visible" to the student.

Well-Being Ambassadors are student volunteers who make a difference in the lives of other students by educating them on many important well-being topics. Ambassadors meet one-on-one with students to engage in well-being conversations and help make goals for personal wellness as well as work to increase awareness, encourage safer behaviors, promote informed choices, and enhance student health and well-being.

Evaluate Yourself
Career Well-being

  • Do I enjoy going to work most days?
  • Do I have a manageable workload?
  • Do I feel I can speak with my supervisor?
  • Do I have goals—and a plan to meet those goals—for the next position in my career?
  • Do I search out opportunities and experiences to deepen my career-related skills?
  • Do I record my career-related accomplishments for use in my future job search?

Find mentors and seek out information that will help you make timely and wise career-related choices.

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Physical Well-being

This is the ability to actively make healthy decisions on a daily basis. It includes eating a nutritionally-balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, visiting the doctor routinely, maintaining positive interpersonal relationships, and making healthy sexual decisions consistent with individual values and beliefs. A physically-well individual exercises three to five times per week, limits or abstains from alcohol and drugs, possesses the ability to identify and fulfill personal needs, and is aware of and respects their body’s limitations.

Campus Recreation is committed to enhancing the educational experience and promoting lifelong wellness through excellent recreation programs, services, and facilities. Workout facilities are available on City and East Campuses.

  • Bike UNL is a Recognized Student Organization at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with the mission to empower bicycling and bicycle education in the UNL community. Bike UNL is composed of students of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that believe in bettering the university through the support of bicycling.
  • Group Challenge Course programming offers activities and initiatives to bring your group together in new ways. Challenges can be opportunities for personal growth, development and self-discovery. Work with a team to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. Learn when to lead and when to follow.
  • Outdoor Adventures Center is home to the Outdoor Adventures program, existing to engage individuals and groups in adventure experiences for escape, education and enjoyment.

Collegiate Recovery Community is an anonymous group focused on supporting students in or seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction through specialized services and a supportive peer community. Research shows that students in recovery who are involved in collegiate recovery programs attain higher GPAs, higher persistence rates, and higher graduation rates.

Husker Pantry is an on-campus resource to help students experiencing food and shelter insecurity. The pantry provides free food and hygiene items as well as information about community resources for housing and other food assistance programs.

Nutrition Counseling is available through the University Health Center's dietitian who can help you build a balanced, nutritional diet that gives you the energy and strength you need to achieve your goals. The first nutrition counseling session is covered by the UPFF student fees.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Services are offered by the University Health Center. They offer a supportive and non-judgmental environment to get all of your questions answered and receive sexual and reproductive healthcare. Services include annual sexual health exams, vaccinations, sexually transmitted infection testing, and more.

  • Safer Sex Resources are available from the Women's Center and at designated locations. Each kit includes 3 condoms (latex or non-latex) and 1 packet of lube (flavored or unflavored), or internal condoms and dental dams. They also have a number of on- and off-campus resources surrounding safe sex and consent education.
  • Inclusive Period Care is a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) dedicated to providing period products to underserved populations in Lincoln as well as on campus. They also work to spread awareness about menstruation and menstrual disparities.

Sleep Resources are available on the University Health Center's website. It includes app suggestions to improve your quality of sleep, a sleep education module, downloadable sleep logs, and other tools and information on how to improve your sleep!

Well-Being Ambassadors are student volunteers who make a difference in the lives of other students by educating them on many important well-being topics. Ambassadors meet one-on-one with students to engage in well-being conversations and help make goals for personal wellness as well as work to increase awareness, encourage safer behaviors, promote informed choices, and enhance student health and well-being.

University Health Center, managed by Nebraska Medicine, is the best healthcare option for students. Extraordinary staff, a convenient location on City Campus and partnerships with most insurance companies make it a vital resource for students. A pharmacy and physical therapy are both located in the health center as well.

Evaluate Yourself
Physical Well-being

  • Do I periodically monitor my health diagnostic information such as weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels?
  • Do I make an effort to eat a healthy and balanced diet, including fresh fruit and high-fiber foods?
  • Do I get annual medical exams?
  • Do I perform monthly self-examinations of my breasts or testicles?
  • Do I avoid using tobacco products?
  • Do I abstain or limit my use of alcohol and other drugs?
  • Do I get sufficient sleep?
  • Do I stretch and exercise regularly (3–5 times per week)?
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Social Well-being

This is the ability to build healthy relationships based on interdependence, trust and respect. It includes being aware of the feelings of others. Socially well individuals develop a network of friends and co-workers who share in common purpose, who provide support and validation.

ASUN Student Government has leadership roles for students to make their voice heard. Nearly 200 students each year are appointed to serve on a variety of committees through the student government. Often these committees mirror faculty committees and report to upper administration.

Campus NightLife funds free late night programs that build diverse social relationships and student engagement while fostering campus-wide inclusiveness.

Collegiate Recovery Community is a way for people who are sober to connect. The university seeks to create a new Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) to offer a supportive environment that strengthens the decision to separate from addiction.

Fraternity and Sorority Life offers a dynamic Greek community that binds men and women together in lifelong excellence and builds on its heritage of developing character and success through the ideals of scholarship, leadership, service and friendship.

Intramural sports offer more than 70 unique activities that are fun, inclusive and active spaces for students to engage and connect socially on campus.

Nebraska Unions offer a vibrant environment for students, faculty, staff and guests to kick back, study, meet, and attend events.

Recognized Student Organizations offer each student at Nebraska the opportunity to find their niche. Our robust list of 570+ student organizations includes international, political, cultural, religious, recreational, academic, social and special interest groups.

Sport clubs are comprised of individuals who have a desire to compete or participate in a sport throughout their college career, and exist to develop students' skills, dedication, and interest for specific sports.

Student Leadership, Involvement & Community Engagement integrates in-class and out-of-class learning to provide valuable programs, services and events that model an inclusive environment.

Suicide Prevention (REACH© Training) helps prepare students, faculty and staff at UNL to save a life by learning the risk factors, warning signs and how to intervene.

University Housing offers students the chance to become part of an energetic student living community where everyone has opportunities to interact and connect.

University Program Council provides diverse, educational and entertaining programs to enhance the student experience.

Well-Being Ambassadors are student volunteers who make a difference in the lives of other students by educating them on many important well-being topics. Ambassadors meet one-on-one with students to engage in well-being conversations and help make goals for personal wellness as well as work to increase awareness, encourage safer behaviors, promote informed choices, and enhance student health and well-being.

Evaluate Yourself
Social Well-being

  • Do I plan time to spend with family or friends?
  • Do I enjoy the time I spend with other people?
  • Do I find my relationships to be positive and rewarding?
  • Do I make and effort to interact with a variety of people with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs?
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Spiritual Well-being

This is the ability to identify a core set of personal beliefs which guide decision-making and other faith-based endeavors, while understanding others may have a distinctly different set of guiding principles. Individuals who are spiritually well recognize the relationship between spirituality and identity in all persons.

Association of Campus Religious Workers (ACReW) is made up of representatives of various campus religious groups concerned with the ethical treatment of students.

Campus Recreation is committed to enhancing the educational experience and promoting lifelong wellness through excellent recreation programs, services and facilities. They offer classes in guided meditation, massage therapy and yoga to help find your balance.

Recognized Student Organizations encourage students to connect with one another. Organizations exist for many purposes, including the sharing of spiritual beliefs. Students can search for organizations through the NvolveU website. 

Well-Being Ambassadors are student volunteers who make a difference in the lives of other students by educating them on many important well-being topics. Ambassadors meet one-on-one with students to engage in well-being conversations and help make goals for personal wellness as well as work to increase awareness, encourage safer behaviors, promote informed choices, and enhance student health and well-being.

Evaluate Yourself
Spiritual Well-being

  • Do I make time for prayer or meditation in my day?
  • Do my beliefs/principles/values guide my daily decisions and behavior?
  • Do I feel a sense of direction or purpose in my life?
  • Do I express feelings of thankfulness or appreciation for what I have?
  • Do I show respect for the beliefs and views of others?

Focusing on these and other actions from your religious or spiritual traditions will contribute to your sense of spiritual well-being.

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