Spotlight Ella Wix

Originally, I was accepted at WVU and declared as a psychology major with the plans of becoming a mental health therapist. Once accepted into the university, I got a few emails informing me about a new program with the name Mental Health and Addiction Studies that was only a semester old at that point. As an undergraduate program, it is specifically tailored to what I wanted to do in the future. It didn’t take much time or convincing for me to switch into this program.

The faculty and staff that make up this program are truly some of the best people I have ever met. The support I have received from them is more than I have with any other courses I’ve taken at WVU. There were several times my professors reached out to me outside of class—whether it was noticing I was having an off day and offering support, or wishing me luck on one of the biggest days of my college career. They notice and they care about their students, and for that I am forever grateful for this program.

One of the biggest social issues surrounding mental health and addiction is the stigma it faces and the people it then affects. The Mental Health and Addiction Studies program helped me realize that these biases can be taught from generation to generation and influence our way of thinking. We learn that addiction is a disease, not a choice, based on the way it changes the structures in the brain. We learn to be understanding of this disease and ways to support as a community member. We’ We’re given many service-learning opportunities, such as Save A Life Day—Free Naloxone Day—where volunteers spread awareness about opioid use, overdose signs and symptoms, and how naloxone, commonly known as the brand name ‘Narcan,’ can save lives. Change starts with awareness.

In one of our program’s courses, we are required to attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings to get an understanding of what addiction is and what it can look like. Addiction presents differently in every person and it does not discriminate against who it affects. These meetings teach you that quickly. We have a course where we learn how to screen, assess, and diagnose a substance use disorder, which was probably one of my most favorite classes of the entire program. More hands-on experiences happened in our counseling techniques class, where we practiced some kinds of therapy skills to practice building rapport and work through the beginning stages of change with a classmate who was given a prompt to act as a “client.” These experiences only added to my passion for helping others. I thoroughly enjoyed doing these exercises in my courses because they make me want to do and learn more.

The most influential person during my time at WVU has been Frankie Tack. She is the program coordinator of the major, and instructs a few of the courses. Unfortunately, I did not have her as a professor until my very last semester for my capstone course. Even though I didn't meet her until this year, she quickly became the person I looked up to the most within all of WVU. In our capstone course, we have a field placement requirement that aligns with our research topic, (mine being the mental health in parents of children with disabilities) and she worked on her own time, outside of class, finding me a place to do my service hours. I appreciated this so much because she was just as excited about getting me a placement as I was. And now, I've been able to some amazing, educational work with WVU’s Center for Excellence in Disabilities. I have come to her office hours and stayed after class to discuss my project’s topic and other issues. She is an enthusiastic professor who truly wants the best for her students and will do whatever she can to help out. I aspire to be as knowledgeable, caring, and supportive as her in my future endeavors.

I was always told to use office hours as a way to get to know your professors, and I never did that until this school year. Students shoudl get to know the faculty of this program. I would actually recommend you do this with any class you’re in. It shows the professor you’re serious about your future and you make a connection within the university. These people are going to be writing your recommendation letters for jobs or graduate school, and they need to know who you are to be able to write you a letter that is true to your character.

The biggest obstacle I faced during my time here at WVU was all of the time and freedom I had my first two years. I am a big procrastinator so it is much harder for me to be productive when I have a lot of free time on my hands. The best thing I did for myself, just this year, was filling up my schedule and surrounding myself with like-minded people when it comes to academics. I am now a part of five different student organizations, have two part-time jobs, and still have time for socializing and completing all of my schoolwork in a timely fashion. For me, the less time I have for homework, the more likely I am to want to get it done on time.

Earning this degree means everything for me and my family. My parents and family are my biggest supporters. Wholeheartedly, I couldn’t have done it in only three years without them. Graduating college is a huge accomplishment and should be something you’re proud of. I know I am, because it is not easy!

I recently got accepted into WVU’s Master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, so I get to spend at least two more years here in Morgantown. Before I get too grown-up, I am spending my summer at home with my family, working at my summer job of five years, and going on a few trips. I’m very excited to be going on my first ever international vacation to Greece, Egypt, and Turkey.

I have been a Mountaineer since birth. My dad went here and is a huge fan of WVU sports, thus so am I. The best thing about being a Mountaineer is the community that we have and share. I love the togetherness I feel at a WVU football game, whether I am spending it with family or my friends. Mountaineers across the entire state of West Virginia have a familial way of treating others. No matter where I end up in life, I’ll always be a Mountaineer.