Open dialogue about mental and emotional health

I am writing today about the important topic of mental health and to urge anyone who needs help, or knows someone who does, to reach out to one of our three professional counseling offices on our campus. Together with our counselors and mental health professionals, I also invite you to help us share the messages that we are here for you and that we strive to nurture hope, community, compassion, and balance.

About one in five adults in our nation experiences a mental health condition, and we know that too often, people are struggling in silence. No one should ever have to feel like they are alone.

Over the past few months, our Counseling and Psychological Services, the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office and Michigan Medicine’s Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience have been working in unison to further encourage more open dialogue about mental and emotional health and to inform everyone that U-M has resources to help those in need.

These offices provide no-charge, confidential counseling and consultation to support mental and emotional well-being and also offer educational and other programs to support resilience, grief and adjusting to change or stress.

You can learn more about our work to raise awareness in today’s University Record.

This is a deeply important issue, and I thank you for your engagement in the mental and emotional well-being of all members of our community.