Mercyhurst's new approach: Moving beyond depression screenings to foster hope and connection among students

Positivity is a concept not typically aligned with depression, but it is the driver for a new initiative of the Mercyhurst University Counseling Center.  

Since 2007, the Counseling Center has performed annual depression screenings to serve as a barometer of students’ mental health and offer support as appropriate. Basically, the day included the screenings, feedback, literature, and connecting students with support services. 

Today, studies show that rates of depression and anxiety among college students have been rising. In the throes of COVID-19 and its aftermath, students faced increased isolation, disruptions to their education, and heightened stress, all of which contributed to a rise in mental health struggles, according to the American College Health Association.

This past spring, thanks to a mini-grant from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Suicide Prevention Coalition, the depression screenings of the past saw their demise. In their place, Mercyhurst chose a more participative, uplifting event.

“We recognized that in addition to increasing students’ individual awareness of personal depression, we wanted them to experience an event that would bring them together in a way that lifts the spirit, supports hope, fosters interaction, and builds social connections,” explained Dr. Judy Smith, executive director, Wellness.

The grant enabled the center to host three such events at different times and sites across campus that included games, food, competitions, and other activities that would appeal to students. As always, the events were complemented by visits from the ever-popular canines of Therapy Dogs United.  

In all, 205 students participated in the three sessions. Some just participated in the activities – Jenga contests were a big draw – while others also completed screenings. All students who were screened received results and recommendations; those with more severe indicators of stress and depression were notified immediately with the offer of counseling and other resources. An additional 100 students completed the depression screening surveys at the Counseling Center office.

“It was an entirely different feel,” Smith said. “One image that stuck with me was our Active Minds club showing students how to weave friendship bracelets. At first, there were two young women in the room; a half hour later, there were 20, even some men. The area became filled with conversation and laughter. It exemplified the positive social interactions that can spring from working together on something.”

The connections, she hopes, will help to free up young people to talk more openly about mental health. “It’s OK to talk about your moods,” Smith said. “There’s no shame in it. We can talk about our cholesterol; why not our emotional health?”

Although the mini-grant was just shy of $750, Smith said she had money left over and intends to continue the new program into the 2024-25 academic year.

FILE PHOTO: Therapy dogs are frequent visitors on campus.