Support group addresses mental health on campus
Mary Hojnoski
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: News
Every Thursday at 7:30 p.m., a group of students meets in Seeyle 101 to provide each other with support for depression, anxiety, eating disorders and any other issues they may be facing at Smith. Started last semester by Active Minds, the student mental-health advocacy group on campus, the group provides a safe and non-judgmental place to talk or just listen.
The idea was proposed by Sarah Billian '11, co-chair of Active Minds, and the support group has been growing in size since it began. Pamela McCarthy, the associate director of Health Services at the student counseling service, said the college is in full support of the group.
"We share common goals of increasing mental-health awareness, advocating for access and appropriate services, treating all people with respect and providing support," McCarthy said. "They are a dedicated group and we applaud their efforts."
Being diagnosed with a condition is in no way a requirement to participate and many students can benefit. Smith counseling services is an excellent resource for many students, but peer support can serve as an alternative or another place of comfort.
This group is very necessary considering some alarming statistics collected in a study last spring. According to the study, 26.9 percent of students at Smith reported being unable to function due to feelings of depression in the past 30 days. The study also found that 42 percent of Smith students had strong feelings of loneliness in the past two weeks.
"There is a real need on campus for a place where students can go to be heard and get unconditional support," said Alicia DePaolo '10, one of the organizers of the support group. "Whether you struggle with depression or anxiety or you're simply having a rough semester, it's important to know that you're not alone and that there are other students who have been in the same situation."
Part of the work of Active Minds is to remove the negative stigmas attached to menta-health issues, especially since students struggling with these issues may not have the most positive views of mental illness themselves. According to DePaolo, the general group formed last semester helped students cope with common issues such as stress and relationships.
Robin Hojnoski '91, assistant psychology professor at Lehigh University, stressed that mental health is an important component of a student's overall well-being.
"As a school psychologist and trainer of school psychologists, addressing mental health is critical to health promotion and prevention efforts that seek to improve student outcomes," Hojnoski said. "Creating peer support groups may help reduce isolation and the stigma that can accompany mental health diagnoses. In an environment like Smith College, where there are so many bright and talented young women and there is a culture of success, peer support groups may serve a particular important function as a safe space to address important mental health issues."
The Active Minds support group meets every Thursday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Seeyle 101. Everyone is welcome.
The idea was proposed by Sarah Billian '11, co-chair of Active Minds, and the support group has been growing in size since it began. Pamela McCarthy, the associate director of Health Services at the student counseling service, said the college is in full support of the group.
"We share common goals of increasing mental-health awareness, advocating for access and appropriate services, treating all people with respect and providing support," McCarthy said. "They are a dedicated group and we applaud their efforts."
Being diagnosed with a condition is in no way a requirement to participate and many students can benefit. Smith counseling services is an excellent resource for many students, but peer support can serve as an alternative or another place of comfort.
This group is very necessary considering some alarming statistics collected in a study last spring. According to the study, 26.9 percent of students at Smith reported being unable to function due to feelings of depression in the past 30 days. The study also found that 42 percent of Smith students had strong feelings of loneliness in the past two weeks.
"There is a real need on campus for a place where students can go to be heard and get unconditional support," said Alicia DePaolo '10, one of the organizers of the support group. "Whether you struggle with depression or anxiety or you're simply having a rough semester, it's important to know that you're not alone and that there are other students who have been in the same situation."
Part of the work of Active Minds is to remove the negative stigmas attached to menta-health issues, especially since students struggling with these issues may not have the most positive views of mental illness themselves. According to DePaolo, the general group formed last semester helped students cope with common issues such as stress and relationships.
Robin Hojnoski '91, assistant psychology professor at Lehigh University, stressed that mental health is an important component of a student's overall well-being.
"As a school psychologist and trainer of school psychologists, addressing mental health is critical to health promotion and prevention efforts that seek to improve student outcomes," Hojnoski said. "Creating peer support groups may help reduce isolation and the stigma that can accompany mental health diagnoses. In an environment like Smith College, where there are so many bright and talented young women and there is a culture of success, peer support groups may serve a particular important function as a safe space to address important mental health issues."
The Active Minds support group meets every Thursday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Seeyle 101. Everyone is welcome.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Crystal (Eating Recovery Center)
posted 10/29/09 @ 2:23 PM EST
Addressing mental health issues on college campuses is very important and this support group sounds like a great place for students to talk and listen to others struggling with similar challenges. (Continued…)
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