Art therapy, educational seminars and community training sessions are just a few ways UAB’s Mental Health Ambassadors assist students.
Destyni Cravens, co-lead of UAB’s Mental Health Ambassadors, said the organization focuses on mental health advocacy and self care.
“(We) seek to create a positive change by promoting positive mental health and building a culture of resilience for students at UAB,” Cravens said. “Our goal (is) to reduce the stigma towards mental health and help share mental health knowledge with the UAB community.”
Sarah Vise, co-lead, said the Mental Health Ambassadors partner with Student Counselling Services to assist students at UAB.
“That is one of the main resources we would offer to someone who would come to us about needing help,” Vise said. “In the age of COVID-19 and everybody getting sent home, the student counselling services started offering distanced counselling so (students) could still receive the same benefits of counselling from their home.”
Vise said that in addition to standard counselling appointments, Student Counselling services offers next day urgent appointments and same day crisis appointments. In addition to Student Counselling Services, Vise said the Mental Health Ambassadors have partnered with other campus organizations to promote positive mental health.
“The University Rec actually offers yoga and meditation (that) could really help someone who might be experiencing some mental health issues,” Vise said.
Hannah Smid, social media lead, said the Mental Health Ambassadors aim to change the conversation around the emotional wellbeing of students.
“There’s a lot of stigma against (reaching) out for mental health support,” Smid said. “People don’t want to be perceived as being a burden or being weak. (Those) misconceptions are definitely not true and taking the steps to get mental health resources takes a lot of courage.”
Smid said in addition to attending counselling sessions, she advises students to take small steps to focus on mental health.
“Something you can control is what you do for self-care and that can vary a lot from person-to-person,” Smid said. “Something that really helps a lot of people is having a routine and sticking to it. Just the simple things like making sure you’re getting enough sleep (and) you’re eating regularly (can) help you have a better mental health and wellbeing.”
Robin Lanzi, Ph.D., MPH and founder of UAB’s Mental Health Ambassadors, said she is proud of the ambassadors for serving as advocates for mental health.
“I love them and adore them and I’m just so thankful for them,” Lanzi said “They pour their heart and soul into this.”
Lanzi said that in addition to the Mental Health Ambassadors, partnerships with Kimberly Kirklin, Herb Wilkerson and UAB’s Campus Recreation have given the ambassadors more options for assisting those in need.
“I just want to recognize them for being so supportive and working with us,” Lanzi said.
