THE
ORACLE
Henderson
State
University
Issue 6
Wednesday November 17, 2021
Vol. 119
Lance Brownfield Community Edition Editor-in-Chief According to the Clery Center, the Clery Act requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and publicly outline the policies and procedures they have put into place to improve campus safety. Henderson recently released its 2021 Clery Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, detailing all crime and fire-related incidents that occurred within the university’s crime reporting geography in 2020. The report also includes past incidents from 2018 and 2019, revealing changes in crime statistics over the past few years. The 2021 Clery Report revealed a total of 78 (Continued on Pg. 3)
HSU Clery Report published Courtesy of Henderson State University
Hendersons clery report informs those of HSU and Arkadelphia the reported crimes and fire incidents within the university.
Veteran’s Day in Arkadelphia
Ragsdale understands Emily Henderson Contributing Reporter the holidays are special, but
“Adapt and Overcome,” is the Marine Corps’ motto and something Gunnery Sgt. Charles Ragsdale lives by. Ragsdale comes from a family where service runs deep. At a young age, he knew there was no question what he wanted to do: follow in their footsteps and serve our country. According to Ragsdale, to understand Veterans Day, one has to know what being a veteran means. To him, a veteran is not just a title and a discount at Starbucks, it means a person takes the oath and signs a “check” to the United States with the payable amount of their life. At any moment they could be called for the service of this nation. They possess a willingness to leave behind their whole life and comfort zone and “that’s what makes them special.” Veteran’s Day is to honor the ones that were and are brave enough to put on the uniform and serve in whatever capacity they asked of them. There are no unimportant roles, it is a team effort and without everyone involved it would not persevere. This is why he believes Veteran’s Day is for all those in service, past and present. “It does matter if you were a door kicker, trigger puller, infantry, or drove trucks,” said Ragsdale. “It’s all hands that take to make the military go forward and support this country.”
there is not a day that goes by that he does not wake up and think about the brothers and sisters that were lost. While he honors those who serve, he does not forget about his family. Leaving a wife and kids at home was hard, but he said he had the easy part. “My wife took care of herself and three kids for eight months and I couldn’t even take care of them for 45 minutes while she went to the grocery store,” he said. Ragsdale never forgets to make sure his family knows how much they mean to him and how strong they are. He honors them as well as all the other families in the same situation. After 20 years of being a part of the Marine Corps, he retired and currently works for Veterans Upward Bound. Ragsdale is excited to be helping those who served. He is home with his family and does not regret anything, no matter how difficult it was at times. His hope is that those willing to go into service in the future enjoy it and not rush it because “life moves quickly.” Those 20 years he spent in the service flew by and did not hit him until the last week of his service. His wish for everyone on Veterans Day is to take 10-30 seconds of their day to think about everyone who has or is still serving, and think about all they have given so that we can be free.
Coping with the cold: How to stay ahead of seasonal depression
Emberlynn Pendergraft Staff Reporter
attending an event on campus, or forming a study group could keep you from feeling too isolated or alone. Another method is talking with a counselor. Most individuals diagnosed with SAD are recommended to partake in counseling or talk therapy by a health professional. Luckily for students, Henderson offers confidential counseling to its students at no cost. Students can fill out a counseling form online on HSU’s Student Health and Wellness page and then schedule an appointment, or visit the Health and Wellness Center on the first floor of Mooney Hall. Sticking to a schedule, journaling, and spending time outside can also help curb SAD. Something people often experience with depression is a feeling of emptiness or lack of control, and giving yourself structure and goals can help alleviate those feelings. The best way to cope with seasonal depression is to keep a solid mindset. Seasonal affective disorder, just like all other types of depression, can not be “fixed” by just trying to keep positive and avoid the problem.However, by understanding what you are experiencing and remaining
steady in that understanding living with SAD can become much easier. It is important to understand that winter will not last forever, and that you are fully capable of coping with seasonal depression, even when things begin to feel overwhelming. While depression may cause you to lose hope or motivation, keep in mind that sadness is not synonymous to worthlessness, and that it is still important to prioritize your health and safety even when it feels pointless. Finally, make sure to give yourself time and space to cope, and be patient with yourself when you can. The holiday season can get incredibly stressful, and with symptoms of depression it can easily become overwhelming. By taking time to sit back and take a small break from the hustle and bustle of winter, you can keep yourself from becoming too overburdened. If you are struggling with mental health, consider seeking counseling at the Student Health and Wellness Center by calling 870-230-5102. For more information, visit www. hsu.edu. If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or call 911 immediately.
As cold weather approaches, many students are starting to experience one of winter’s worst side effects: seasonal depression. With finals right around the corner and the threat of holiday blues emerging, the last thing anyone needs is to feel melancholy during one of the most stressful times of the year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), seasonal depression is actually another name for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression characterized by mood and behavior changes at the beginning of certain times of the year. Symptoms like losing interest in certain activities, having trouble concentrating, sleeping problems, change in appetite, and seclusion, all of which cause serious problems for students as finals approach. However, hope is not lost for those experiencing seasonal affective disorder. There are a few ways to keep your head above water as the weather begins to change that could help you to stay in control of seasonal depression. One option to combat SAD is to prioritize social interaction. One of the biggest symptoms of seasonal depression is social isolation, which leads to feelings of emptiness or loneliness. By making sure you take time out of your week to socialize. Something as simple as grabbing Photo by Emily Henderson something to eat with your Photo by Emberlynn Pendergraft Veterans Upward Bound provides services such as tutoring, financial counseling, friends, volunteering to walk Seasonal depression is beginning to take hold of Henderson FAFSA assistance and much more.students as winter approaches. dogs at the Humane Society, students as winter approaches.