The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Tony Astran

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, mental illness is most prevalent among 18- to 24-year-olds, yet these young adults are also the least likely to seek help for psychological problems. Organizers of the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Week, which will be held next week on campus, hope to change that.

Suzanne Johnson, a senior counselor with Buffalo State’sCounseling Center, said one of the main goals is to foster open conversations about mental health. A host of eventsare scheduled from March 8 to 12, such as suicide-prevention training, workshops on the importance of proper sleep and eating habits, and group activities demonstrating techniques for coping with stress.

“The college-age group is particularly at risk for mental health issues because this period of life is a time of major transition, particularly where support systems are concerned,” Johnson said. “We want to make the issues open and eliminate negative connotations.”

Mental Health Awareness Week features a keynote speaker on Wednesday, March 10. Sean Campbell, an honors student at Hunter College and a nationally renowned speaker and author, will address the Buffalo State community at 10:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. During his presentation, “You Are Not Alone: Handling Mental Health Issues,” Campbell will describe his experiences of coping with his family’s and his own mental illnesses.

A newly created student chapter of Active Minds is playing a major role in coordinating the events on campus. According to Kimberley Zittel, assistant professor of social work and co-adviser of the chapter with Johnson, the chapter has quickly grown to 35 members since its formation at the beginning of the spring semester.

“I think today’s students have witnessed more tragedy in their lifetime than previous groups,” Zittel said. “Active Minds provides a ‘safety net’ that others care and are there to talk to.”

Zittel believes that good mental health “hygiene” is similar to exercise: it takes practice and consistency to be effective. “Humans are mind, body, and soul,” she said. “We all need balance and holistic care. Those who have mental illnesses can learn to thrive and persevere.”

“We need to make mental health a more normal conversation,” Johnson added. “There often is a stigma associated with mental illnesses. By dispelling myths and providing correct information, we can motivate students to get the messages out and also become more comfortable acknowledging stress and other issues.”

Johnson and Zittel encourage faculty and staff to consult the Counseling Center at 878-3636 regarding mental health concerns among their students.

Mental Health Awareness Week is sponsored by the Faculty-Student Association, the Counseling Center, the Dean of Students Office, the Academic and Student Affairs Office, Weigel Health Center’s Health Promotion Unit, the Social Work Department, Active Minds Buffalo State Chapter, the Events Management Office, the Student Life Office, Campus Life, and the Dietetics and Nutrition Department.