Getting Involved
Getting involved in mental health work on and off campus can be a great way to meet others with similar experiences to yours. It’s also an opportunity to share your story and feel part of a campus community.
“On those days when everything seems like it’s too much to bear, I’ve learned that stepping outside myself can really help. Volunteering gives me the perspective I need to shift my own negative outlook. It’s the perfect reminder that you are valued, especially during those times when you can’t always remember it yourself.”
— Member of the Student Advisory Board
Opportunities at the Eisenberg Family Depression Center
There are many ways students can get involved in raising awareness about mental health and help create healthier communities. These include:
- The Eisenberg Family Depression Center Student Advisory Board – This advisory board comprises undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Michigan who advise on outreach and education initiatives for college students at the Eisenberg Family Depression Center. Board members are also encouraged to share these initiatives with other groups in which they are involved. Past board member projects include advising on website revision, suggesting topics for wellness groups, and helping link other mental health initiatives on campus. To apply to be a board member, contact Taylor Pahl.
- Speaking to middle and high school students – The Eisenberg Family Depression Center’s Peer-to-Peer Depression Awareness Program works with middle and high schools to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote help-seeking for mental health. In the past, U-M students have shared their personal stories about mental health with these younger students. If you are interested in sharing your story with schools, don't hesitate to get in touch with Lizelle Salazar.
Student groups on campus
The University of Michigan offers many groups and organizations related to mental well-being. Consider getting involved!
- Active Minds: Active Minds at the University of Michigan is a chapter of a national nonprofit organization that focuses on fostering student mental wellness. It is dedicated to encouraging students to prioritize their mental health, connecting them to on-campus mental health resources, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health through education, and fostering an inclusive and compassionate community.
- UHC Student Advisory Board (SAB): The UHC SAB is a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students who advise UHC CAPS on mental health outreach to all students, provide input on various agency decisions, and participate in staff recruitment and selection processes.
- CAPS In Action (CIA): CIA is for University of Michigan students who are dedicated to creating a more holistic, healthy environment at U-M by promoting mental health awareness, support and inclusion. This is an active and hands-on group, focused on creating and implementing mental health outreach efforts that empower students to enhance a culture of care and inclusion. CIA is facilitated by CAPS professionals and supports CAPS outreach initiatives.
- Central Student Government: Student Health and Safety Commission: The Student Health and Safety Commission (SHSC) is an executive commission within the Central Student Government (CSG) dedicated to promoting various aspects of student health (mental, physical, sexual, etc.) and safety.
- Mentality Magazine: Mentality Magazine is a publication written by U-M students that aims to educate people about mental health, share personal stories of people who have experienced mental health issues, and report on mental health developments/news within the University of Michigan community. In this publication, readers can learn how to help themselves or their friends who may be struggling and find the resources they may need.
- NAMI on Campus: The National Alliance for Mental Illness is the largest grassroots mental health organization in America. NAMI on Campus is an extension of this organization and a student-led mental health policy organization that aims to tackle mental health issues on campus by raising awareness and educating the community, with a special focus on advocating for progressive mental health law and policy change.
- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at the University of Michigan: This chapter of the AFSP is part of a national organization of community and campus chapters across the country, created to prevent suicide and provide hope for those affected by suicide. It serves University of Michigan students by advocating for their mental health, raising and allocating funds towards mental health resources and suicide prevention tools, collaborating with other U-M organizations to improve existing opportunities to serve our students, and organizing the annual Out of the Darkness walks.
- PULSE: PULSE is a UHC-sponsored student organization that aims to explore and promote the intersection between well-being and identity across the campus community through peer interactions and strategic programming. They promote health, wellness, and social justice through individual conversations, event planning and health promotion. PULSE members help students maintain or enhance their health and wellness, and create an inclusive community.
- Students For Recovery (SFR): SFR is a voluntary student organization sponsored by UHC that promotes the academic and social well-being of all who wish to join through service, community, and fun. Students meet regularly to connect over food and conversation, while also collaborating on ideas relating to service and fellowship. SFR welcomes any students in Washtenaw County who are in recovery, thinking about recovery, or supportive of recovery and want to be involved.
- Wolverine Support Network (WSN): WSN empowers University of Michigan students to create an inclusive community and support each other’s identity, mental well-being, and day-to-day lives through peer-facilitated groups and bi-weekly community events.