We had an amazing time on Thompson Island for our first retreat ever. We came away feeling more confident that we can work together to accomplish our goals this year. Below is a group photo, taken just before boarding the ferry.

These students are committed to promoting a supportive community at Harvard, and to education of the mental health and other resources available to students.  If you ever have any questions about mental health services at Harvard, or related matters, don’t hesitate to contact any of us.  Look first to the SMHL right in your own House!

Adams

• Annie Douglas, douglas@fas, 2012, Recruitment/Marketing
• Elyse Traverse, etravers@fas, 2012, Events

Cabot

Currier

• Jessica Perez, jperez@college, 2013, Web/Communication

Dudley

Dunster

• Jen Batel, jennifer.batel@gmail, 2012, Recruitment/Marketing
• Angela Lee, alee@college, 2014, Grants/Research

Eliot

• Brian Sullivan, briansullivan@college, 2014, Recruitment/Marketing
• Julia Ransohoff, ransohoff@college, 2012, Grants/Research: Chair

Kirkland

• Nikhat Dharani, nikhat.dharani@live.com, 2014, Web/Communication

Leverett

• Seth Cassel, shcassel@college, 2013, Events: Co-chair
• Arturo Cuevas, acuevas@fas, 2012, Events
• Erich Schultze, schultze@college, 2013, Events
• Meghan Smith, msmith@college, 2013, Recruitment/Marketing: Chair

Lowell

• Caitlin Carey, ccarey@college, 2013, Events: Co-chair
• Afoma Umeano, aumeano@gmail, 2013, Grants/Research
• Deisy Ruiz, deisyruiz11@gmail, 2013, Events
• Lauren Goh, laurengoh@college, 2013, Grants/Research

Mather

• Sam Meier, samameier@gmail, 2012, Events
• Seth Riddley, riddley@fas, 2012, Web/Communication: Chair

Pforzheimer

• Francisco Hernandez, francisco.hernandez@college, 2013, Recruitment/Marketing
• Ayse Baybars, abaybars@fas, 2012, Grants/Research
• Gabrielle Guarracino, gabrielle.guarracino@gmail, 2012, Recruitment/Marketing
• Jem Lugo, jemlugo@college, 2013, Events

Quincy

• Cindy Guan, cguan90@gmail, 2012, Committee TBD
• Richard Sima, sima@fas, 2012, Grants/Research

Winthrop

• AC Gomez, alexis.gomez@college, 2013, Web/Communication

We’re hitting the ground running, so check back frequently. We’re working on uploading information about each of the Student Mental Health Liaisons and how they can serve you.

Looking forward to a great year!

Click below to read.

This recent article in the NY Times seemed especially relevant given the let’s talk about anything event recently. I think it demonstrates how important it is that we listen to and help each other when it comes to issues of mental health.
-AC Gomez

When I woke up this morning, my first thought was that I could not believe that it is already April 17th. The end of the year is almost here, and as it winds down, so do my undergraduate career and my active participation in SMHL. However, I’m glad to say that I’ll be leaving a campus that shows great promise in fostering important conversations about and awareness of mental health issues for Harvard students. Given the community’s recent support of mental health-related activity, such as Crimson articles like “I Am Fine” and the SMHL-led freshmen workshops, I was not surprised – though I was excited – about the enthusiasm surrounding the SMHL rally and pledge-signing last week.

This most recent show of support in the community, I think, could not have come at a better time. Reading period is but a week and a half away, with exams following close behind. I know that the thought of papers, finals, and the ever-feared job search has been increasingly weighing on my mind. (And, for those who remember my first post – while I have not yet secured a job, the N64 is not to blame.) It can definitely be a stressful time, but it helps to know that others are going through it with us and are willing to lend an ear to listen or a hand to help.

On that note – keep your eyes open for a few more SMHL initiatives before the end of the year. This week, stop by the Science Center or Lamont if you want to talk about absolutely anything with an SMHL or another community member. Just look for someone with a “Let’s Talk About Anything, Harvard” sign! We’ll also be coming around Lamont at some point during reading period with some anti-stress goodies. Stay posted for more information, and good luck with your work!

- Pilar Curtis, Leverett SMHL

Along with the Rally for Smiles this week, there will be another great event coming up next week Mon 4/18-Fri 4/22! Check out the SMHLs and your fellow students who will be outside the Science Center and Lamont to talk to you about anything you want. Love this warm spring weather? Exams on your mind? Anything you want, Harvard, we’re here to listen to you.

-AC Gomez

SMHL

The Crimson recently published this article about the Student Mental Health Liasons. It’s one more reminder of all the wonderful resources here at Harvard, as well as how much your fellow students really do care.
-AC Gomez

I love Harvard. I feel really privileged and humbled to be learning from and studying with some of the most brilliant minds the country and world has to offer. There is one thing I find disconcerting, however. It may just be the circle of people with which I’m familiar, but I’ve noticed that Harvard students can really get caught up in their studies. Now, that is probably obvious. What I find troubling, though, is that Harvard students can get so caught up with studying, deadlines, problem sets, essays, and the like that they leave no room for anything else.

I overhear countless times among friends, “We need to hang out!” More often than not, such plans get trumped by the need to meet due dates. And I understand that this is Harvard, and we are students. It may be a part of going to college to be dealing with rigorous academic workloads. However, we are more than just students. And college is more than just studying. Oftentimes, we forget our other roles, as sisters, brothers, friends, aunts, uncles, mentors, mentees, citizens of the world and so on.

And I encourage you to remember those other roles and work on something other than work. And by that, I don’t mean to pile on the extracurriculars to keep you busy every second you’re not in class. I mean to go watch that Hasty Pudding show or see that movie. Actually take advantage of the amazing public transportation and get off at whatever T stop seems appealing. Take up that offer for a date. Take those dance lessons. We may not have the time, but we need to find a way to make the time. Actually schedule it in, insert it in your iCal alongside your other commitments. You may find that when your life is more in balance, things such as due dates seem easier to manage. That being said, this week is restaurant week in Boston (http://www.bostonusa.com/restaurant-week), a delicious opportunity to eat amazing meals at a discount. Perhaps this is the perfect time and excuse to relax, actually fulfill the plans to hang out with friends, and enjoy.