The new Mental Health Advocacy Institute – run by national non-profit Active Minds – encourages students to consider what their campus communities might need when it comes to mental health challenges, come up with possible solutions and work with campus/community leaders to put them in motion. So far, 58 campuses are involved. And it’s proving particularly helpful for community college campuses, which often don’t have the same level of mental health services as four-year institutions.
North Central Texas College student Elijah Gregory, who struggled with depression, physical health concerns and anxiety when he originally enrolled, is working with the Mental Health Advocacy program to create a support group on campus for students belonging to the TRIO program. The federally funded program provides academic support, financial guidance and mentoring to low-income and first-generation students, as well as those with disabilities.
According to The Hechinger Report, Gregory is interested in helping people like him “fend off loneliness, build meaningful relationships with peers who may have similar life experiences, and experience a greater sense of belonging on campus.”
Read more about the program, as well as mental health concerns among community college students, here.
