Mental Health Awareness on College Campuses

By Samantha Thompson 

Stonehill News Blog staff 

Maria Kavanaugh has recognized that navigating the stresses of mental health can be a maze. However, the director of counseling services at Stonehill College said she was struck years ago when she saw how a labyrinth could help college students to steer their course into a happier place. 

Another professor at Stonehill College organized a meditation “labyrinth” in Martin Auditorium.  

“It was powerful to see hundreds of students visit it and take time out of their days to walk, and meditate, all in silence,” Kavanaugh said “I always enjoy events and programs that involve students, faculty, and staff coming together to promote mental health and self-care.” Kavanaugh’s duties are constantly evolving to meet the needs of college students struggling with mental health issues. For instance, over the past few years, Counseling Services has increased from 4 to 5 counselors to fit the demands of the students on campus.  

Kavanaugh is the co-chair of the JED Campus team with Jessica Greene. The program is designed to guide schools through a collaborative method to improve student mental health, combat substance use, and support suicide prevention efforts. The Stonehill team works with other JED Campus teams throughout the nation to share information and ideas and develop strategies on how to support students and create a college environment rough looking at statistics and being involved in the JED Campus team, Kavanaugh and her fellow co-workers can understand how to best serve the Stonehill community.  

Kavanaugh said that Stonehill students are key contributors to spreading mental health awareness on campus.  

“Last year, several student leaders put together a well-attended and well received program about mental health that included some experts and an alum sharing her story. Events like that can be really impactful,” Kavanaugh said.  

As an undergraduate herself, Kavanaugh worked as a health activist and was involved in a sexual assault resource service and her college’s peer health education club. She hopes that she can get more college students at Stonehill to join in health awareness programs. 

“Counseling staff members regard each student as a unique individual and empower student’s efforts to attain a self-understanding, integrity, and academic success,” Kavanaugh said. “We want to support students as they cope with and adjust to college and life pressures as well as proactively respond and adapt to the needs and interests of the Stonehill community.”