October arrived with a shift in the air, bringing cooler mornings, a scatter of leaves along Commonwealth Avenue, and a quieter reflection, because this month is dedicated to something we often rush past – our mental health.
Across campuses and communities, Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder that well-being is not a trend or a luxury. It is a daily practice. College life, especially at a place as vibrant and demanding as Boston University, can feel like a constant sprint. Between classes, jobs, and global uncertainties, students often find themselves running on empty, balancing expectations while trying to stay grounded in an ever-changing world. Within that momentum, BU and other institutions are learning to slow the pace and carve out spaces where healing can happen, not just in crisis, but every day.
Creating a Network of Care
BU’s approach to mental health goes beyond counseling sessions. It encompasses an entire ecosystem designed to meet students where they are. At the center of that network is Behavioral Medicine, part of Student Health Services, where students can access confidential counseling, psychiatric care, group therapy, and crisis support at no cost. The team focuses not only on treatment but also on prevention, helping students recognize stress before it turns into burnout.
Supporting this professional care are programs that make mental health more approachable and peer-driven. All Ears, BU’s trained peer-listening program, offers confidential conversations with fellow students who understand what it means to feel overwhelmed. For those seeking connections beyond campus walls, Togetherall provides an anonymous, online global community that’s available 24/7. It serves as a reminder that no one has to struggle in silence, no matter the hour.
For many, recovery and mental health go hand in hand – both journeys marked by patience, courage, and support.
The BU Recovery Community supports students in all stages of recovery from substance use, emphasizing belonging and shared strength. For many, recovery and mental health go hand in hand, with both journeys marked by patience, courage, and support.
A Holistic Understanding of Wellbeing
Mental health does not exist in isolation. It is influenced by sleep, nutrition, safety, and access to essential needs, something BU acknowledges through its Student Wellbeing initiative.
When financial or personal challenges interfere with a student’s academic or emotional wellbeing, Student Support Services in the Office of the Dean of Students helps connect them to resources such as emergency assistance, advocacy, and the BU Food Pantry for those facing food insecurity. The understanding that mental health cannot flourish without basic security is central to the university’s care mission.
Workshops and wellbeing events across campus echo that holistic vision. Mindfulness sessions at Marsh Chapel, Stress ReLeaf workshops hosted by the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center, and visits from therapy dogs in Mugar Library all give students opportunities to pause and recharge. Each small gathering becomes a reminder that wellness can take many forms, such as a shared breath, a moment of laughter, or simply knowing you belong.
Education, Awareness, and Advocacy
Beyond direct services, BU’s commitment to mental health extends into education and advocacy. The Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD) offers clinical expertise and research-based treatment, while the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation helps students develop life skills and confidence as they navigate recovery. The College Mental Health Education Program (CMHEP) combines coursework, coaching, and peer support to equip students with lifelong tools for self-care and resilience.
Mental health is not a separate chapter of student life. It is intertwined with learning, relationships, and identity.
Programs such as Survivor Advocacy, Response & Prevention (SARP) offer trauma-informed support and education around violence prevention, ensuring that survivors of trauma have compassionate, confidential resources when they need them most.
These programs, while distinct, share a common message – Mental health is not a separate chapter of student life. It is intertwined with learning, relationships, and identity.
Building a Culture That Cares
Across campuses nationwide, the conversation around mental health is evolving. Stigma is slowly being replaced with empathy, and silence is giving way to open dialogue. BU’s approach mirrors this shift by emphasizing that awareness is not a campaign but a culture.
Through peer programs, staff training, and inclusive events, BU is cultivating a community that values rest as much as productivity and connection as much as achievement. This reflects a broader truth – resilience is not built by doing more, but by learning when to slow down, reach out, and care for yourself and others.
Mental Health Every Day
As Mental Health Awareness Month unfolds, the BU community and many others are reminded that awareness must extend beyond October. Healing is not linear, and self-care is not a checklist. It is a daily practice of showing up, for yourself, for friends, and for a campus that believes every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen.
Resilience is not built by doing more, but by learning when to slow down, reach out, and care for yourself and others.
Whether through counseling at Behavioral Medicine, a conversation with a peer listener, a meditation session at the Howard Thurman Center, or a moment of stillness by the Charles River, BU’s message remains constant – you do not have to navigate mental health alone. Awareness begins with action, and at BU, that action happens every day.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call BU Behavioral Medicine 24/7 at (617) 353-3569 or reach out to emergency resources immediately. To explore BU’s full range of support, visit bu.edu/shs/mental-health.
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