A photographic collection concerning mental health awareness on college campuses.

1. Fresh Check Day was an event put on by various
groups on campus to bring awareness to mental health
and resources in college. The American Psychological
Association says 95 percent of college counseling
center directors surveyed said the number of students
with significant psychological problems is a growing
concern.

2. Inside Driscoll
Bridge at the
University of
Denver, students
leave notes to
encourage each
other and those
struggling with
mental and
psychological health
issues.

3. Senior Peyten Sanger
volunteered at Fresh Check
Day, promoting sexual
assault awareness. This
issue was part of the event
because sexual assault
strongly relates to mental
health. According to the
National Violence Against
Women Prevention Research
Center, rape victims were 13
times more likely than non-
crime victims to have
attempted suicide.

4. Leisha Chiles is a
Graduate Student for
the DU Suicide
Prevention Project
which aims to decrease
suicide attempts
through awareness and
support.

5. “We want students
to be aware of our
services. We want
people to know us
and know that we’re
not scary people.
We’re
approachable, we’re
here to help,” said
Anand Desai, a
psychologist and the
Group & Outreach
Coordinator at the
Health and
Counseling Center.

6. Students walk
towards the
Ritchie Center,
which houses
resources for
both physical and
mental wellness.
According to the
National Institute
of Health, aerobic
exercises have
been show to
reduce
depression and
anxiety.

7. According to a survey done
by the National Alliance on
Mental Illness, 64 percent of
people who drop out of
college in the US leave due
to mental health related
reasons. The Health and
Counseling Center provides
students with mental health
services.

8. “I'm very grateful I'm
getting help,” said
third year media
studies major Claire
Whitnah in reference
to her own mental
health journey.

9. The nine out of 10
booth at Fresh
Check Day is based
on the fact that
one out of 10
students will
seriously consider
suicide. The
purpose is to
teach students
how to be one of
the nine that could
reach out to an
individual who is
struggling.

10. Posters around
campus demonstrate
how students show
their support for
friends in unhealthy
relationships. As
prolonged unhealthy
relationships can
contribute to serious
mental health issues,
the posters
encourage seeking
professional help in
these situations.

11. Students receive massages to
relax and help alleviate the stress
of college at Fresh Check Day, an
event promoting mental wellness.

12. Inside psychologist
Anand Desai’s office,
where he hosts
counseling sessions for
students.

13. Students
painted an
encouraging
message to
an oppressed
group on the
free speech
wall.