SGA Mental Health Task Force Releases Report

03/29/2021

In 2018, the Student Government Association (SGA) created a Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) to consider existing University resources that support student mental health and to work with students to identify additional resources students would like to see offered.

At this time, the Mental Health Task Force is releasing its final report to the campus. The report documents accomplishments to date, including student-driven initiatives and University investments, as well as recommendations for future consideration. Community members may access the final report here.

The initial goal of the MHTF was to create an evidence-based document of recommendations that, according to the SGA charge, provided “a new vision of mental health treatment, awareness, and prevention at Saint Louis University” from a student perspective. 

Even as the MHTF began its work, University leaders were also working to enhance mental health support for students, and a number of new investments have been made in the mental health ecosystem at SLU over the last several years. 

Starting in spring 2020, SGA leaders and the MHTF began to work more closely with leaders in the Division of Student Development. These discussions revealed significant overlap among emerging student recommendations and planned University initiatives in the University Counseling Center, the Student Health Center, and Campus Recreation and Wellness. Alignment of these initiatives suggested that even closer collaboration would be helpful, and the MHTF and University leaders have continued to engage in dialogue and shared planning for future initiatives.

In addition to its analyses and recommendations, the report also contains a list of current wellness organizations and initiatives on campus that members of the community can participate in. If you don’t see your organization or initiative on this list, please fill out this inventory form so they can add you to the report. Submissions are welcome from any student, faculty, or staff member.

Next fall, members of the MHTF and other student leaders will be invited to continue working with University leaders on broader campus initiatives focused on student mental health and well-being, including a campus-wide student survey and the development of a strategic road map for the future.

SGA Mental Health Task Force members included: Maleah Fallahi (former SGA president and former MHTF co-chair), Sophie Mueller (current MHTF co-chair), Dan O’Connell (current MHTF co-chair), Aric Hamilton, Sophie Jerkatis, Billy Kinczewski, Zahva Naeem, Joseph Reznikov (current SGA president), Erik Staberg, Megan Tweedie and Audrey Williams.

 Submitted by Debra Lohe, Ph.D., special assistant to the Provost.