On Monday night community members gathered in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union to discuss mental health with a panel of experts. 

Panelists included Mark Rowe-Barth, Student Wellness director, David Vogel, professor in psychology and Kristen Sievert, psychologist at Student Counseling Services.

Here are the main take aways:

1. There’s no wrong answer. If you know someone struggling with a mental illness, just be there for them. 

“You don’t need to have the exact words in order to comfort someone,” Sievert said. “But, understand your limits as well. Help them to get connected to what resources could benefit them.”

2. If you approach someone, use “I.” If you think someone you know might have a mental illness Rowe-Barth encourages using statements such as “I have noticed you’re crying a lot.” Make sure to start the sentence with “I.”

3. There are programs out there. The Student Counseling Service has multiple ways students can get help that are not necessarily an office with a professional. They now offer Let’s Talk and a Crisis Text Line.

4. Open up the dialogue. All three panelists encouraged students to be a part of making the topic more open. They encouraged students to be a part of advocacy groups such as National Alliance on Mental Illness on Campus or Suicide Awareness Organization.