UO President Michael Schill shared a message with students this week in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.
The email to students included a short video from the president and Chiara Cheng, a member of the University Counseling Services Student Advisory Board, as well as resources and events to mark the month.
In particular, the message noted Kognito, a web-based virtual conversation tool that teaches users how to recognize when someone is struggling and how to step in effectively. Anyone in the UO community who completes the module before the end of May 2021 will automatically be entered in to win a $20 gift card.
Cheng encouraged students to join the community in recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month and taking advantage of university resources to support mental health.
“As a member of the advisory board, I get to work with many therapists and as well as staff members at University Counseling Services,” Cheng said. “They are dedicated to supporting students as well as our mental health. So if you ever need support or would like to know more about our resources, please reach out or check out our website at counseling.uoregon.edu.”
Schill noted the anxiety and uncertainty that many have felt due to the pandemic, divisive politics and national conversations about race and equity.
“Although we are still physically distant, know that you are not alone,” Schill said. “As I’ve said before, the University of Oregon is a family. We are a community made up of individuals that depend and care about each other.”
The president also mentioned that the university partners with The Jed Foundation and is designated as a JED Campus. The nationwide initiative is designed to help institutions evaluate and strengthen their mental health, substance misuse and suicide prevention programs and systems. The UO is in its third year of the four-year JED Campus process.
The full message and video can be found on the Office of the President website. For information on mental health services and support, visit the University Counseling Services website.
—By Jesse Summers, University Communications