Davenport University is actively promoting mental wellness in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from October 4 to 10. This initiative aims to reduce the stigma around mental illness and to connect individuals with vital community resources.
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During the week, the university's Wellness Center offers free mental health counseling services to students. Additionally, events such as NAMIWalks serve to unite the Davenport and West Michigan communities in raising awareness, funds, and support for those impacted by mental health issues.
On October 3, Davenport's W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus hosted its annual NAMIWalks, organized in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Michigan and its West Michigan affiliate. Approximately 175 participants, including the university's mascot Pounce, attended the walk to highlight the mental health challenges faced by many in the community. The Davenport team, named Pounce on Stigma, comprised students, faculty, staff, and alumni, raising $910 for NAMI's free programming.
Natalie Wagner, Ph.D., Director of Student Life at Davenport and a member of the NAMI West Michigan affiliate, played a key role in organizing the event and participated as part of Team Pounce on Stigma. Wagner emphasized the importance of normalizing conversations about mental health to reduce associated stigma. She stressed that it’s crucial for individuals to acknowledge their struggles and seek assistance, paralleling mental health care with physical health care.
Statistics from NAMI indicate that more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults and more than 1 in 7 youth aged 6-17 experience mental illness annually. Darrin Oliver, lead counselor at the Keith and Kathryn Klingenberg Wellness Center, highlighted the increasing mental health challenges faced by college students, describing the situation as a crisis recognized by mental health professionals.
Data from the Healthy Minds Study and the American College Health Association reveals concerning trends: 76% of American students experience moderate to high stress levels, 37% report symptoms of moderate to severe depression, and 12% have experienced suicidal thoughts in the past year.
Oliver noted that the Wellness Center supports students with a wide range of mental health issues, offering approximately 1,600 counseling appointments each year. The services are free, confidential, and accessible both in-person and online, aiming to provide help regardless of the severity of the issue.