Support Groups are open, weekly groups, facilitated by members of the Counseling & Wellness staff and develop each semester as need dictates. You can attend groups as able each week, no registration needed. If you have interest in a group on a particular topic, and it is not available on campus at the time of a request, Counseling & Wellness will assist in trying to locate one in the community.

Alcoholics Anonymous Support Group

"Substance abuse does not discriminate. No one, regardless of whether they come from a good family or have a high GPA, is immune to drug abuse. There is no ‘type’ of drug addict, as substance abuse can affect anyone"
https://www.addictioncenter.com/college/facts-statistics-college-drug-abuse/

Find a Local Gathering Al-Anon for Family & Friends

Eating Disorder Support Group

"Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness"
Smink, F. E., van Hoeken, D., & Hoek, H. W. (2012) Epidemiology of eating disorders: Incidence, prevalence and mortality rates. Current Psychiatry Reports,14(4), 406-414

Find Local Recovery Support

Find Support at Elevate Wellness Therapy

Cadres are 8-week discussion groups that focus on a particular topic or book organized through the Office of Spiritual Life and listed online each semester under Banner. Counseling & Wellness facilitates and advertises various wellness-focused options that integrate mental and spiritual well-being. For more details, questions, or registration interests contact the Office of Spiritual Life. Log into Banner and go to the "Spiritual Life" tab for this semester's offerings.

The Simplest Way to Change the World: Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements

Facilitator: Rebecca Noble

The Simplest Way to Change the World is about biblical hospitality and its power for the gospel. Since people will sooner enter a living room than a church, hospitality is a natural and effective way to build relationships for Christ.

It is Well: 8 Components of Holistic Wellness

Facilitator: Katherine Cowger

Throughout this 8-week cadre, we will briefly discuss eight areas of wellness including physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, environmental, financial, and academic/occupational while allowing students to have a time and space to catch their breath, share, and connect through vulnerability and compassion.

Developing Leadership

Facilitator: Rich Yoakum

We will be taking a look at our spiritual growth, especially regarding developing the leader within us. John Maxwell outlines 5 levels of leadership we can aspire to- one that aligns our values, beliefs, and behaviors. We will also look at leadership modeled through the life of Jesus. We will learn practical leadership tools and develop a game plan for our lives.

Why Emotions Matter

Facilitator: Oliver Smith

This cadre will look at the importance of emotions and how God designed us as emotional beings. Together, we will look at various aspects of emotions though a combined perspective of scripture and research to look at how emotions serve as signals for our body, the value of emotions, and the inner workings of shame, jealousy, anger, and other emotions we all experience.

Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts

Facilitator: Serena Patel

This holistic-wellness based cadre will be student led and focus around the book Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen. We will discuss how to recognize toxic thought processes, learn about how they are harmful to all aspects of our lives, and how to stop the cycle from continuing. The book explores how your belief in God has the power to give you the strength to confront your fears. Jennie explains how we can take back control of our thoughts and emotions though learning more about our minds and letting God into our lives.

Thank you for your interest in Samford’s Counseling & Wellness Office’s new Wellness Ambassador program! This program provides a new leadership opportunity for enrolled undergraduate students who are interested in and committed to raising awareness about mental health and holistic wellness among Samford’s student body. After completing a Wellness Ambassador Cadre in the spring semester of one’s freshman, sophomore, or junior year, the C&WP Wellness Coordinator will make final selections from the remaining interested students who have submitted an application for the Wellness Ambassador Program set to serve during the following academic year. Exceptions to the cadre requirement are at the discretion of the Wellness Coordinator. Wellness Ambassadors serve one entire academic year as a campus leader and facilitator of wellness-related education, advocacy, awareness, and involvement. Participants work directly with Samford’s C&W office staff to enhance the wellness programs provided each semester.

Wellness Ambassador Program Application Wellness Ambassador Program Manual

Ambassadors