Mental Health Awareness Month 2023
Good mental health is invaluable as it enables us to effectively manage the daily stresses of life, maintain healthy relationships, make sound decisions, and achieve our goals.
The College of Liberal Arts recognizes the importance of mental health and offers various degree programs and courses that address and support it. These include music therapy, health psychology, and counseling psychology, among others. In fact, we're excited to offer a course on happiness in fall 2023.
We take pride in our top-ranked psychology department, renowned for its innovative research and groundbreaking discoveries about the brain and potential treatments for mental illness. Our department's rich history underscores our commitment to advancing our understanding of mental health.
As May is national mental health awareness month, we would like to share some inspiring stories about people in the CLA community who are looking out for our mental health.
Psychology major Lanz Ulmer reflects on the importance of accessible mental health care to the Black community. Watch a video interview with Lanz.
“The World Inside You," an exhibit at the Weisman Art Museum, features art created by adolescent participants of a "creativity camp" based on scientific research. Psychology professor Wilma Koutstaal is a co-investigator for the project. Learn more about Koutstaal's research and the exhibit.
This spring, students participated in a workshop hosted by painter Patrick Blanchard, artist in residence in the Department of Chicano & Latino Studies. "I hope to bring ... a feeling of peace and relaxation that shows students another way to breathe," Blanchard explains. Read more about how the artist-in-residence program creates community through art.
Associate Professor Valérie Bélair-Gagnon’s work aims to help protect journalists in their least regulated space yet: social media. Learn how Dr. Bélair-Gagnon is encouraging journalists to protect their mental health.
"I decided that I want to be in a field that makes an impact on youth in improving emotional wellness and mental health outcomes." Read Ighedosa's alumni reflection.
Resources for Students
Student Counseling Services has collected some resources to help you care for yourself.
CLA has compiled a list of resources to support mental health and wellness.
The Mental Health Initiative
The CLA Student Board invites the UMN community to make a pledge to prioritize mental health.
