Davenport University focuses on mental wellness during Mental Health Awareness Week and beyond. Mental Health Awareness Week is observed Oct. 4-10 and is designed to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness, connect people with community resources and emphasize the importance of early detection and care. 

The university’s Wellness Center provides free mental health counseling to students, while events such as NAMIWalks bring the Davenport and West Michigan communities together to raise awareness, funds and support for those affected by mental illness.

Davenport University’s W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus hosted its annual NAMIWalks on October 3, in conjunction with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Michigan and the West Michigan affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The event drew around 175 participants, including Davenport’s mascot, Pounce, to raise awareness of the mental health struggles many people in our community face. 

Davenport’s team Pounce on Stigma at DU, made up of Davenport students, faculty, staff and alumni, raised $910 to support NAMI’s free programming. 

Natalie Wagner, Ph.D., director of Student Life at Davenport, is a member of the NAMI West Michigan affiliate. She also helped organize the event and participated in the walk as a member of Team Pounce on Stigma. “This event is so important because it helps normalize mental health conversations, which goes a long way in decreasing the stigma that surrounds mental illness,” she said.

Wagner said having open conversations is essential. “More importantly, we need to all understand that it is okay to admit when we are struggling so we can get the help and support we need,” said Wagner. “It’s normal to see a doctor when we get physically sick and the same should hold true for mental health.”

According to NAMI, more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults and more than 1 in 7 youth ages 6-17 experience mental illness each year. Darrin Oliver, lead counselor at Davenport’s Keith and Kathryn Klingenberg Wellness Center, said many college students face similar struggles. “Mental health issues among college students have reached historically high levels and are considered a mental health crisis among most mental health professionals,” he said.

According to the latest data from the Healthy Minds Study and the American College Health Association, 76% of American students report moderate to high stress levels, 37% report moderate to severe depression symptoms and 12% report experiencing suicidal ideation in the past 12 months.   

Oliver and his team at the Wellness Center help Davenport students work through these serious issues, less complex issues and everything in between. “We want students to know that we can help them no matter the severity of the issue. No topic is too large or too small,” he said. 

Oliver and his team at the Wellness Center serve more than 140 students and provide approximately 1600 counseling appointments each year. Appointments are free, confidential and available in person or online. 

Click here to schedule an appointment. 

Click here for more information on the Wellness Center.