Here’s what we’ve been up to in 2016:

Stanford + Mental Health has expanded beyond its original iteration as CS + Mental Health to provide opportunities for students with any skill set or interests to get involved in working in mental health. In pursuit of accountability and transparency, we will provide an overview of what Stanford + Mental Health has been up to in Fall 2016.

We were founded as CS + Mental Health in December 2015 and recruited for our first projects in Winter Quarter (January 2016). In the Spring, we became Stanford + Mental Health and began laying the groundwork for our vision through outreach to other mental health organizations and student leaders. Stanford + Mental Health seeks to improve mental health at Stanford by driving systemic and cultural change on campus and beyond through education and direct action.

While we are proud of the work we have accomplished so far with our dedicated members, we know we have far to go in building an organization that can effect change on Stanford’s campus and beyond.

4 “Meet a Mental Health Professional” Q&As and an event on the new Alcohol Policy

featuring leaders in design thinking in mental health, innovative new community mental health safety nets and reaching underserved minority populations with hip-hop therapy. Our goal has been to increase exposure of our members (as well as the student body) to incredible work being done in and around Stanford. (Supported by iThrive Grant)

Community events for the Stanford + Mental Health Core

From the first-ever Stanford + Mental Health Core Weekend retreat to a hike and the end-of-the-year party, we have worked to create a greater sense of community in the group. Throughout our community, we have encouraged self-reflection and empathy towards other members in our group. We have also implemented a no questions asked “leave of absence” policy for members in the group in case they need time off for self-care.

Planning the High School Mental Health Innovation Challenge

Service + Mental Health, a new team on Stanford + Mental Health, has begun planning for the High School Mental Innovation Challenge in collaboration with the Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and the Haas Center. This event will empower high school students to come up with solutions for their own communities and support them. More information to come soon on getting involved.

Setting up new projects in CS + Mental Health, Campus + Mental Health, Policy + Mental Health and Diversity in Mental Health

This quarter, we have been working with our advisors to develop projects that students will be able to apply to in Winter Quarter. CS + Mental Health will continue some projects from last year and launch new opportunities. Campus + Mental Health and Diversity in Mental Health will begin the planning process for student-driven projects that will impact student mental health on this quarter, working closely with other mental health organizations on campus. Policy + Mental Health will give students the chance to be involved in local, state and national projects run by our advisors.

And we’re just getting started…