Mental health summit focuses on belonging

October 28, 2025 (Volume 49, Number 5)
Article by Patricia Stow Bolea

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The second Student Mental Health Summit on October 15 in the Kirkhof Center centered around the theme "Belonging as Resilience." Faculty, staff and students engaged in professional development and conversation regarding the implications of mental health on student learning and achievement.

Takeelia Garret, student ombuds, led attendees in a Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness exercise focused on anchoring. Student panelists explored perceptions and experiences of mental health challenges and experiences with the variety of programs aimed to support students. From the discussion, it became clear that students continue to experience stress, anxiety and depression, often due to a myriad of contributing factors.

Mikaela Walburg, Counseling Center mental health communications and outreach specialist, and Amy Matthews, professor of psychology, led a session entitled, “Belonging as Resilience," reporting on the positive impact of belonging on both mental health and school performance.

The event was hosted by the Pace Initiative for Connecting Mind and Health, an initiative from the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center that is named to honor Diana Pace, former director of the GVSU Counseling Center and associate dean of students, in recognition of her significant contribution to a culture of well-being, health, and mental health at GVSU.

Facilitated by faculty members Patty Stow Bolea, Mary Bower, Amy Matthews and Jamie Owen De Schryver, the Pace Initiative is open to membership from interested campus staff and faculty.

— Patty Stow Bolea is a professor of social work and the Pace Initiative program lead.

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