EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University recently created a mental health support group for students of color in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the University of Michigan’s Wolverine Wellness, and Washtenaw Community College (WCC).

Known as NAMI Campuses in Color, the group provides a community of support to students of color who have struggled or are currently struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. EMU’s Center of Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and EMU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will act as EMU’s sponsors in the partnership.

Le’Shay Webb, program coordinator for CORE, collaborated with Lisa Lauterbach, director of CAPS, to bring NAMI Campuses in Color to the University.

“Racism and stigma make it harder for people of color to get services and support, and this has worsened during the pandemic,” said Webb. “This group is needed at EMU because it provides students with encouragement, support, and a community that understands what it is like to live with mental health issues and to talk about things that affect them in a safe space.”

Group sessions are held on the first and third Sunday of every month. Sessions alternate between hybrid and in-person meetings, which alternate locations. Students from all three institutions are welcome to attend for free. 

Renée Randall, a board member of NAMI-Washtenaw County, initiated the development of NAMI Campuses in Color.

“The partnership came about a few months after I joined the board of NAMI-WC,” said Randall. “We wanted to find a way for NAMI-WC to expand its support services, education, and advocacy reach to young communities of color in the county. We hope to alleviate some of the burdens on the already-overwhelmed campus offices responsible for providing mental health and wellbeing services and provide students of color with information and practices they could share with their communities.”

Xiyu Cao, a graduate student therapist at CAPS, trained with NAMI to facilitate meetings. The training prepares facilitators to work with students who have struggled or currently struggling with mental health issues. 

“As a person who struggles with mental health herself and a clinician who witnesses students' struggles, particularly students of color, I was eager to utilize my professional training to help students in need,” said Cao. “I’m hoping that by participating in the support group, students can learn that they are not alone and there is always hope. I encourage people to register for our group. We wish to help as many people as possible.”

To register for the group or learn more, please visit campuses-in-color-support-group.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.