A group of close to 100 CUW student leaders and employees participated in an all-day training designed to teach them how to provide comfort and care to peers in need of emotional support.


The session was led by Jen Marr, founder of Inspiring Comfort. Marr founded the organization about a decade ago after witnessing the aftermath of the Sandy Hook and Boston Marathon tragedies. Her involvement with crisis response and recovery efforts illuminated a gap that exists between individuals’ desire to help others and their ability to effectively do so.

Concordia invited Marr to speak to resident assistants, faith associates, peer support leaders, and other CUW students who will serve in leadership positions during the upcoming school year. While Concordia has a broad spectrum of mental health support services, surveys and anecdotal feedback reveals that students are more likely to seek help from a peer.

“The goal is to equip our students who are on the front lines with the tools to recognize signs of emotional distress, but then also be confident in their response to it,” said Assistant Professor of Psychology Holly Griskell, PhD., who was largely responsible for bringing Marr to campus.

Marr will return to the CUW campus on Oct. 5 for a presentation that is open to the entire Concordia community. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to save the date.

If you are a Concordia student in need of support, you have several free-of-charge options. Please email Student Wellness to get started.

In the media

TMJ4’s Taylor Grumpkin visited campus to cover the training. Click here or on the image below to watch the segment.

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