Mount Hood

Opening up for mental health

Tips for talking about mental health disorders and disabilities

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

One of the hardest things when struggling with mental illnesses or disabilities can be telling others about it. Disclosing one’s mental health status is important to medical professionals and potential employers for a plethora of reasons and can even reduce stress levels, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Here are some tips to make others aware of an illness or disability while maintaining comfort. 

  • Who should be told. Make a list of people who do not already know about the status of one’s mental health. Ensure that they are trustworthy and free of judgment. Opening up to these people should feel like a breath of fresh air once done.
  • Determine the appropriate time and place. If the disorder or disability hinders the ability to work for any reason, informing an employer is a must. On the other hand, telling a random person at the grocery store is not necessary ⏤ unless assistance is needed. Add these people to the list, as they can help prevent anxiety-filled situations or episodes by knowing beforehand.
  • What to tell them. Plan what one would like to be disclosed; for example, if I were disclosing my bipolar disorder to a friend I would let them know what moods to expect from me when I am having an episode and how long the episodes may last. Feel free to also share positive experiences that have happened as a result, such as something it helps with or experiences created by it. Planning what information to tell the person beforehand can reduce stress. 
  • Suggest support options. Depending on the relationship to the person being told, let them know what could be needed from them. Here are some examples of what this can look like for:
  • A significant other: “When I am in an episode, it would help if you gave me physical space. I get triggered when I feel this way and am touched.”
  • A friend at the bar: “I’m on medication and am not supposed to drink. Can you be there for me and encourage me so I feel like I still belong?”
  • A parent: “I know I need help but making appointments causes anxiety for me, can you help?”
  • An employer: “Some days my mental illness affects me in strange ways. If I am doing something wrong or make you uncomfortable, can you let me know instead of reacting right away?”

 

Remember, disclosing personal information about a mental illness or disability is always the choice of the person affected.

In times of crisis, reach out for help. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a free hotline open 24 hours a day at 800-950-6264.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

 

 

Felicity Martin: Where would you go?

Interviewing Western students on their dream travel destinations

 Sarah Austin |  Lifestyle Editor

With COVID-19 limiting travel for many, I set out to create a piece where I ask students their travel goals if they had nothing holding them back. This week, I caught Western senior Felicity Martin to chat about her bucket list dream.

If you could leave tomorrow and go anywhere with no financial or personal responsibilities, where would you go?

Japan.

What draws you there?

A lot. I like the culture. I watched anime a lot growing up. I have really come to (like) the spiritual and architectural side of Japan. It’s sort of weird. Going through therapy is weird seeing how Japanese culture has affected my upbringing. I want to be able to close that gap.

Is there a specific thing or place that draws you in (cuisine, architecture, natural beauty, nightlife)?

Ikebukuro. There’s this shrine, I don’t know the name of it but there’s this monk that visited a shrine and a local monk showed up and it was totally there. When they were cleaning it this sun ray hung over the center of the shrine. 

What key things would you do while there?

Visit every novelty cafe. The cat cafe, succubus, butler cafe. The Portlander cafe where everyone wears flannels and pretends to be a Portlander. I really want to get a bowl of ramen from a small town, something that an everyday person in the community would eat. Not that it is authentic in presentation and composition but in its execution, in a manner of speaking.

What barriers keep you from actually going?

Money and responsibilities. Money is the biggest, but if I didn’t care about my responsibilities to other people I would find a way there. Oh, and I don’t know Japanese ⏤ I would want to when I go.

If you had a week off of responsibilities, using your current funds, where would you go?

The (Tsubaki Grand Shrine) in America.

Where is that?

In Washington, it was the first shinto shrine built in the US.

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Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Does the Western community follow through on their New Year’s resolutions?

Western students share their successes and shortcomings with their New Year’s resolutions

Mollie Herron | News Editor

At the beginning of every year, without fail, there is an overwhelming amount of people who decide to get in shape. There may even be some who decide to learn how to cook, play a new instrument or speak a new language. 

We all try our best to follow these goals, but let’s be honest, are we all going to start working out for at least one hour a day and learn how to cook from scratch and completely master the ukulele just because we promised ourselves we would? I asked Western students and professors about their New Year’s resolutions and whether or not they achieved them. This is what our community had to say.

Jordan Ehrhardt, Western senior and physical education and health major, said that his resolution was to work out five times a week. Unfortunately, he said that he was not able to fulfill that goal but did keep up with an impressive three or four times a week so far.

Another student, junior exercise science major Ethan Flanigan, also made a goal regarding exercise, except he strives for six days a week. Flanigan says that so far he has been reaching that goal and keeping up with proper nutrition and hydration to assist in the upkeep of such a task.

Dr. Anna Hardin of the biology department says that her resolutions were not formally made but in general she wanted to run more and improve her woodworking skills. 

“I started running in the fall and then when the term got busy I stopped and I want to get back into it,” Hardin said. 

Since she made her goals more vague than other clear cut examples, she thinks she will be able to stick with them and reach her goals by the end of the year.

I made my own resolution to wear all the clothes in my closet so I can finally see once and for all what clothing I don’t actually wear. I have always had a problem when it comes to clothing, that problem being that I buy things to wear once and shove them deep into the void that is my closet. 

Remembering resolutions after hastily making them on New Year’s Eve is the easy part. Continuing to follow through for the next 365 days is where it gets difficult.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

 

 

Oregon House considers gas bill

House Bill 4151 would allow drivers to pump their own gas in Oregon

Mollie Herron | News Editor

The 2022 legislation session started in Oregon at the beginning of February, and a new bill is being introduced. House Bill 4151 would allow drivers in Oregon to choose to pump their own gas or have a gas attendant do so.

In the past, self-service has been allowed in instances of extreme weather conditions, labor shortages and COVID-19. There are also counties with smaller populations that allow for self-service to account for the smaller workforce.

In the United States there are only two states where drivers don’t pump their own gas — Oregon and New Jersey — but this new bill could leave New Jersey as the only state left. The reasoning as to why Oregon still has gas attendants is that it spreads responsibility to more than the single cashier in a given gas station. That way, there are more eyes on the property to watch customers so the risk of injury and inhalation of fumes is reduced.

The bill is not requiring all stations to let drivers pump their own gas but instead offers that a portion of the pumps be allowed for self-service, depending on how many are at the station.

Many fear the effect the bill could have on pump attendants and their jobs, but as stated it only requires a portion of the station to be self-service, while the rest of the pumps will still be controlled by employees.

In situations where the gas station only has one pump, that pump will be reserved for the owner, operator or employee of the station. In the bill it is stated that the State Fire Marshal will have the power to declare all pumps as self-service if in a statewide or local emergency. It also increases the maximum fine for self-pump related violations to $1,000 from the previous $500 fine.

The bill is currently backed by members of the Republican and Democratic parties. Due to the short legislative session, if passed, this bill could take effect by the end of the year.

Have an opinion about House Bill 4151? React to our poll on our Instagram Story, @thewesternhowl to share thoughts on this possible change.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

 

 

“Howl from the Heart”: Western’s annual day of giving

Wolves give back for 2022 Giving Day

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

March 1 marks this year’s Giving Day, or “Howl from the Heart,” Western’s annual day of giving. During this 24-hour period, students, faculty and alumni come together in solidarity to make a positive impact on the Western community.

Giving Day has aided in drawing in tremendous donations for foundations, scholarships and various programs and departments since its establishment in 2016 at Western.

In 2021, the university was able to raise over $170,000 in donations from Giving Day with a total of 820 gifts. 

This year, Giving Day is expected to be bigger and better than ever. The goal for 2022 is to raise $250,000 in support of scholarships and programs. 

Those wishing to donate and make an impact can do so in various ways. 

Throughout the month of February, Western is encouraging employees to participate in Giving Day by sharing their monthly goal of $5,000 in donations through payroll deductions. Staff and faculty wishing to contribute can enroll in payroll deduction by completing the employee deduction form, found on the WOU Foundation webpage.

Graduating seniors, specifically, can participate in Giving Day while also leaving a lasting legacy. Seniors are encouraged to leave their mark by donating at least $20.22 to a program or department of their choice at Western. These gifts can be made in honor or in the name of current faculty members. In thanks, seniors who donate on Giving Day will receive a “Howl from the Heart” lapel pin to wear on their graduation gown.

The Alumni Challenge, which takes place from 12 – 2 p.m. on Giving Day, offers a custom “Howl from the Heart” campfire mug for the first 50 people to make a gift of $50 or more.

Clubs and organizations are also contributing to “Howl from the Heart.” The Foundation’s Finance and Planned Giving Committee have pledged to meet up to $1,500 in gifts made towards the Fund for WOU, Western’s unrestricted financial support system for students and faculty alike. In addition, Interim President Jay Kenton has pledged to double the amount by matching the amount received through payroll deduction by up to $5,000.

Whether one lives on or off campus, everyone is encouraged to contribute. Donations can be made online through the WOU Foundation’s webpage at wou.edu/give or through participation of planned giving at woufgift.org.

After donating, make sure to share the good deed on social media by using the hashtags #WOUgivingday and #WolvesGiveBack.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Western’s LGBTQ+ club hosts traditional ball

Western’s Triangle Alliance holds their winter term Red and Black Ball

Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer

On Feb. 11, Western’s Triangle Alliance hosted the Red and Black Ball, an event which celebrates the decades-long tradition of promoting health and wellness in the queer community. The event took place a week after Western’s Out & Proud week, another annual tradition celebrated by many of Western’s clubs and organizations.

The ballroom world has acted as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ members and allies for decades. Functioning as an underground LGBTQ+ subculture, participants, who are largely Black and Latinx people who identify as queer, are able to compete for prizes and cash. People often refer to this ball as the “gay prom,” meant for individuals who weren’t able to experience high school prom as their own authentic selves.

The colors in the name Red and Black Ball pay homage to the original color coded and timeline-based ballroom system, as developed by ballroom star Tommy “Dee” Murphy. The timeline begins with the White Era that spanned from the 1970s to the 1980s, the Red Era, running from 1985 – 1990 and finally, the Black Era in the 1990s. The White Era has since been omitted from the name.

Though the ballroom’s roots are firmly planted in Black and Latin American culture, the Red and Black Ball became a place where all allies and supporters of the queer community could gather in unity. The event, which took place at 7 p.m. in the Columbia Room of the Werner University Center, provided attendants with food, refreshments and a night of entertainment. Alongside dancing, the event also offered games and karaoke.

“Red and Black Ball is a traditional event at WOU and has been going on for a long time,” said the executive board at Triangle Alliance. “It’s our privilege as this year’s (executive) board to continue this cherished tradition and continue to support and provide safe spaces at WOU for our LGBTQ+ students.” 

The event encouraged attendants to show up in formal wear, although it was not required.

As a reminder, Triangle Alliance asks no questions about a student’s or member’s sexual orientation. Anyone is welcome. Students wishing to get involved with the club can find Triangle Alliance’s office in the WUC or contact them at trianglealliance@mail.wou.edu. Triangle Alliance meets every Friday at the Richard Woodcock Education Center room 207 from 4 – 5:30 p.m.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

 

 

Guest artists come to Western

Visiting Portland music instructors teach and perform in Smith Hall

Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor

As part of the music department’s ongoing guest artist series, Western voice professor Claire Hudkins and visiting music educators Sarah Maines, Joannah Ball and Susan McDaniel will be hosting two workshops and a final performance in Smith Recital Hall. 

The first workshop is Feb. 10 in the Columbia Room of the Werner University Center and will be led by Joannah Ball, Willamette University artist associate and voice instructor at Pacific University and Reed College. This session is geared towards utilizing the piano knowledge all Western music majors must attain in order to apply it to the classroom. 

The second workshop, happening on Feb. 11 in Smith Hall, will focus on vocal health for classroom or studio teachers. This session will be led by University of Portland and Reed College adjunct professor Sarah Maines. 

While these events cater mostly to music majors hoping to go into teaching, the final concert is open for anyone to enjoy. Maines, Ball and Hudkins will sing a variety of songs from different genres — from classical to musical theatre to contemporary bluegrass — accompanied by University of Portland music lecturer Susan McDaniel on piano. 

According to Hudkins, every song being performed will focus on the theme of the concert, “Belonging,” inspired by the quote from American researcher, Brené Brown: “True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are.” 

This idea, proposed by Maines, is meant to promote inclusion and self-acceptance. 

“Sarah came up with the idea of loosely having this (theme) of belonging, and how each piece of music that we’re doing, how that sort of fits in, whether it be around women’s rights or race relations or anything,” Hudkins said. 

The concert will be on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Smith Recital Hall. Western students can attend for free, while general tickets will be $10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@mail.wou.edu 

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