Lynn University's Citizenship Project is an important annual tradition when first-year students give back to the community through an initiative of their choice. Dr. Rachel Pauletti's class took a unique approach to the project this academic year.
In a class full of psychology majors, it was no surprise that mental health advocacy became the heart of their initiative. Pauletti's students ventured around campus to gather insights directly from their peers—asking questions about their emotions and well-being and sharing mental health resources. Students placed particular emphasis on asking about the positive feelings that their peers were experiencing, hoping to reframe their mental health conversations in a more positive light.
A new perspective
"Typically, when we discuss mental health, we frame it as a collection of symptoms. We want to know how people are suffering," said Pauletti. "But this project showed students how to frame this conversation in a complementary way, reminding them that they've had many good things happen to them. I think this a good way to switch the conversation on campus."
After gathering various student responses, the class constructed an eight-foot-tall interactive structure, "Islands of Emotion," displayed in Christine's Park at the Citizenship Celebration—the culminating event for Citizenship Project that showcases final projects. Viewers were given a piece of paper and asked to write down how they felt, then added it to the "island" on the wall. The space served as a hub for students to express themselves and relate to their peers—as a physical representation that they are not alone in how they feel.
Following their presentation at the Citizenship Celebration, Pauletti's class presented their recommendations to the school, showing ways to support students' mental health. Judges at the Celebration gave the class an award for "Outstanding Creativity."
