The College of LSA observed World Mental Health Day this year, on October 10, by launching a crowdfunding campaign to support the LSA Fund for Student Well-being. With the help of 181 donors, the campaign exceeded its $50,000 goal with hours to spare, raising $52,082 by midnight on October 31.

"World Mental Health Day falls around midterms, which is a good time to raise awareness about what we’re doing in the college to support students," said Kristen MacNeil Mambro, director of digital fundraising at LSA Advancement. "But in LSA, student mental health and well-being is really a year-round focus."

"Mental health is a tremendous priority, the importance of which grows each day given the invasiveness of social media, polarizing politics and geopolitical tensions," said Stephen Edelman (A.B. 1992), an LSA parent, alum, and donor. "As a Psychology and English double major, my daughter Olivia (LSA Class of 2026), has witnessed the power and positivity of mental health advocacy programs becoming more accessible to her peers and the broader community. The stories she recounts would be tragic without U-M’s recognition of the issue and commitment in addressing the needs."

As the stigma around mental health topics has very recently lessened in the United States, and demand for such care on college campuses has increased, colleges have redoubled efforts ways to proactively support student well-being. The University of Michigan adopted the Oakanagan Charter in 2021 to holistically embed health into all aspects of campus culture via the U-M Well-being Collective. 

In 2022, LSA expanded the college’s commitment to student care by establishing the Well-Being at LSA initiative, staffed by Mental Health & Well-Being Student Advocates, who work to foster an inclusive learning environment in LSA that prioritizes thriving. The advocate role serves as a bridge between students and LSA faculty and staff, to understand what students are experiencing, then advocate for practices and policies as well as reimagine traditional approaches to create a mentally healthier and psychologically safer community of care. 

"Being the Mental Health and Well-Being Student Advocate for LSA has been an fulfilling experience. It's provided me with the opportunity to be the advocate I wish I had as a student in LSA," said Brandon Bond (A.B. 2020, MPH '22, MSW '22). "There isn’t one sole thing that affects student mental health, from academic pressures, to interpersonal relationships, a sense of isolation, and daily stressors on and off campus—and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. This work aims to maximize the availability and quality of services and resources that students can access."

A number of intentional efforts have been introduced through LSA’s initiative. This fall, a full-day Mental Health First Aid course was launched to help faculty, GSIs, and staff safely and responsibly identify and respond to signs of mental health challenges and substance use disorders in a student or colleague. As part of the LSA@Play student event series, the advocates helped plan a DEI Mental Health & Well-Being Fair, which explored well-being through a DEI lens at four interactive stations focusing on different aspects of mental health and well-being, such as chronic pain relief, purpose exploration, and financial cost saving skills.

LSA graduate Don Pollard (A.B. 1984), is a key supporter of LSA's efforts. "We know that one of the most important things that the University of Michigan can do for its students is to support their mental health and wellness. We also know that this support requires a real commitment and resources, such as the staffing of therapists and outreach professionals," he said. "As such, The Maddie Fund, a non-profit dedicated to mental health and wellness, has enthusiastically made a multi-year financial commitment to help LSA launch and staff its new Student Well-being Initiative."

"My goal is to ensure that all students feel supported and embraced by the culture of care, empathy, and dignity that is embedded into LSA," Bond added. "Each and every donation will help fund staff support, educational programs, activities, and services to help students navigate the complexities of college life."

The World Mental Health Day campaign ended on October 31, 2024, but you can make a gift to support the LSA Fund for Student Well-being online at any time.