UND Has No Shame For Mental Health Issues

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A new UND campaign is bringing awareness to mental health issues.

The university’s Health and Wellness Center brainstormed the idea to open up conversation on–campus about the basics of mental health.

The common stigma around the University of North Dakota campus in regard to mental health issues is that it’s just not talked about enough.

Student Alexa Martel says, “I don’t think there’s enough advocacy for it for people who need help. I don’t think that people feel that there’s somewhere that they can go and seek help.”

People don’t want to be viewed in a negative light if they suffer from one of the many mental health issues so it’s kept private.

Student April Schmiesing says, “It’s not seen as a physical problem so it’s not addressed as a physical need and people don’t understand the seriousness of it.”

And that’s exactly what the “No Shame” campaign is all about in bringing awareness to the issue that affects many.

Marketing Manager Lacey Erickson says, “I wanted to come up with a campaign that would really express to students here are the services that the counseling center has but also making them feel comfortable enough to speak with somebody.”

No Shame will be rolled out gradually starting with posters, implementing of videos and then starting the social media aspect of the campaign.

For college students feeling stressed, depressed or anxious, the Wellness Center offers events to help them cope.

Erickson says, “Distress Fest” before finals week every year so it’s a chance for them to go in and they can see there’s therapy dogs that come in and there’s massage therapists and there’s all these resources.”

Students can also visit the UND CARES website which is dedicated to providing necessary resources so they can get the help they need.

Erickson hopes to eventually be able to bring the “No Shame” Campaign to other colleges as well as high schools.