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K-State Today

March 9, 2021

New program at Lafene Health Center targets social connection

Submitted by Megan Katt

At Kansas State University, 45.9% of students scored positive for loneliness in 2019, according to the ACHA-National College Health Assessment. It should also be noted that this data is pre-pandemic. Loneliness has been connected to many negative health outcomes, as well as decreased academic performance and retention. To address student loneliness and build social connection, Lafene Health Center's WellCAT Coach Program will begin offering small group, in-person workshops.

Cats Connect is a peer-facilitated program to help build social connection and community on campus. Students get to know a small group of four to six students outside of their social groups over the course of six one-hour sessions. Groups respond to a series of fun and thought-provoking questions and engage in a small connection project.

Cats Connect sessions for undergraduate students will be facilitated by WellCAT Coaches from Lafene Health Center and sessions for graduate students will be facilitated by psychology interns from Counseling Services. Groups will meet in-person at Lafene Health Center or Counseling Services with COVID-19 safety precautions in place.

Space is limited. To sign up, please visit your myLafene+ patient portal and select Groups/Workshops from the left-hand navigation menu. From there, you can choose the group in which all six dates — see below — match your availability. Please take note of all six session dates listed for each group as attendance at all sessions is strongly encouraged.

Undergraduate student session availability:

  • Group A: Mondays 4-5 p.m. March 15, March 22, March 29, April 5, April 12 and April 19.
  • Group B: Tuesdays 2-3 p.m. March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13 and April 20.
  • Group C: Thursdays 3-4 p.m. March 18, March 25, April 1, April 8, April 15 and April 22.

Note: If Groups A-C do not fit your availability, please email Megan Katt at the contact information below to join a waitlist. 

Graduate student session availability: 

  • Group A: Mondays 4-5 p.m. March 15, March 22, March 29, April 5, April 12 and April 19.
  • Group B: Tuesdays 4-5 p.m. March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13 and April 20.

Note: If Groups A and B do not fit your availability, please email Megan Katt at the contact information below to join a waitlist. 

For more information or questions about Cats Connect, please contact  Katt at megan34@k-state.edu or 785 532-5226.