Hudson Students Lead the Conversation on Mental Health Through Innovative Campaigns

Each May, communities across the country recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and supporting mental well-being. At the Hudson College of Public Health, that mission came to life this week through the work of students in Dr. Dan Li’s course, Mental Health Promotion in Public Health.

As part of a newly developed course this spring, students spent the semester designing evidence-based mental health awareness campaigns focused on some of today’s most pressing issues. Their work culminated in a poster presentation on May 5, transforming the classroom into a dynamic, student-led public health campaign. The event was supported by the Institute for Community and Society Transformation (ICAST), whose sponsorship helped provide snacks for attendees and contributed to a welcoming environment for conversation and engagement.

The projects reflected both the breadth and urgency of mental health challenges facing diverse populations. Campaign topics included emotional intelligence and well-being, suicide prevention among adolescents, adolescent dating violence, image-based sexual abuse, physician and medical student mental health, diabetes burnout in young adults, maternal mental health, and innovative tools like the Mental Care Passport. Each campaign combined research, strategy, and creativity to inform and engage audiences in meaningful ways.

“This course was designed to help students move beyond learning about mental health promotion in the abstract and begin seeing themselves as public health practitioners who can translate evidence into action,” said Dr. Li. “Through these campaigns, students learned to communicate complex mental health issues with empathy, creativity, and purpose. More importantly, they contributed to conversations that raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support healthier communities.”

Experiences like this reflect the hands-on, real-world approach to learning that defines the Hudson College of Public Health—where ideas are put into practice and students are empowered to create work that can inform, influence, and improve public health outcomes.

As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, the college celebrates the dedication and impact of its students, who are helping lead the way in building a more informed, compassionate, and mentally healthy future.