Research Guides
Research GuidesHello! Welcome to the Mental Health Project! In these following pages you will be able to read interesting articles about the history of Drew University's support for mental health as well as historical and global history of mental health.
The research we have done as a group was broken into 5 stigmatized parts of mental health: The Mental Health of College Students, LGBTQ+ people, Sexual Trauma/Health Awareness, Mental Disorders, and Trauma. The responses students and staff gave us during both google forms and interviews has helped us gauge how our student population feels mentally, how the support is on campus, and provided us to think of better ways they could be provided support and treatment.
Through exploring this page, we hope you will find our research inspiring to reflect on how stigmatized mental health is in society as a whole, inspired to spread awareness on mental health along with us, and gain understanding of the mental health services available to you!
We hope you will be able to reflect on the progress that has been made so far along with what is still needed in terms of Mental Health Support and Awareness at Drew University and across the world!
Drew Acorn:
The Spring 1995 Group Offerings Counseling and Psychological Services was the first time that the Drew University counseling center attempted to reach out to students. By offering specific group counseling sessions for different needs such as eating disorders, studying strategies, stress and more. Along with information about off-campus groups and offering a support group for addiction recovery. This outreach was generated in response to many different governmental organizations being created during this time.
The link above will send you to the Acorn Article where the cut-out is from. The actual cut-out is on page 3 in the Acorn.
The Mental Health Amendments of 1990
The Mental Health Amendments of 1990 was a bill that updated the Public Health Service Act, which did a lot to improve youth suicide prevention, mental health services, and the deinstitutionalization of patients. The bill also addressed the integration of mental health care into broader health and social services, advocating for the improvement of community-based services and public education on mental health. This bill is important because it marked a positive shift in the federal government's approach to mental health. This bill as well as with the community influence helped to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and improve accessibility to care for all Americans.
"S.2628 - 101st Congress (1989-1990): Mental Health Amendments of 1990." Congress.gov, Library of Congress, 28 November 1990, https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/senate-bill/2628.
The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act
The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (GLSMA) is a U.S. federal law enacted in 2004 to address youth suicide prevention and mental health support. Named after Garrett Lee Smith, the son of then-Senator Gordon Smith, who died by suicide in 2003, the act aims to reduce suicide rates among young people through targeted programs and funding. The act supports training for healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders to recognize and respond to signs of suicide risk among youth. Along with that, the act emphasizes the importance of collecting data on youth suicide and mental health to inform future prevention efforts and to educate those about suicide and the importance of it. Today, the act continues to promote and support initiatives aimed at saving lives and promoting mental well-being among young people.
"S.2634 - 108th Congress (2003-2004): Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act." Congress.gov, Library of Congress, 21 October 2004, https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/2634.
Active Minds
On April 22, 2010, Active Minds hosted the first educational briefing on college mental health on Capitol Hill, drawing nearly 70 congressional aides and mental health leaders. Key speakers included Congressman Patrick Kennedy and NIMH Director Dr. Tom Insel, who emphasized the critical need to prioritize mental health on college campuses. The event featured personal and professional perspectives on student mental health, including a testimonial from student activist Joe Fraioli. Active Minds advocated for legislative support, including HR 1250, increased funding for mental health research and programs, and a congressional hearing to further address college mental health needs.
This is a video describing the mission of Active Minds, more specifically what their goals are and how they plan to attack the topic of mental health.
The USC Ice Bucket Challenge
The Ice Bucket Challenge, a viral sensation from 2014 that raised over $220 million for ALS research, has been revived in 2025 with a new focus: mental health awareness. The "Speak Your Mind" campaign, initiated by the MIND Club at the University of South Carolina, encourages participants to pour ice water over their heads, post the video on social media, and nominate others to do the same, all while supporting Active Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health education and advocacy. The campaign has gained momentum, with numerous students, sports teams, and organizations joining in to combat mental health stigma and promote open conversations about mental well-being. As of April 2025, the initiative has raised over $200,000 for Active Minds. This highlights the power of social media in mobilizing communities for important causes. By leveraging the viral nature of the original challenge, the "Speak Your Mind" campaign aims to create a lasting impact on mental health awareness and support.
Questions? Need Help? Email reference@drew.edu
Drew University Library, https://drew.edu/academic/student-resources/library/