Over the past few years, mental health has become a prominent global topic, finally gaining a long-overdue spotlight. This shouldn't be a surprise, given the historic COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on daily lives, as well as a rise in social issues—all of which peaked in unison.
Along with addressing and destigmatizing mental health, the general lack of diverse counselors is an area that needs improvement—all things that Lynn University alumnus Kevin M. Lynch '11, founder and CEO of the Quell Foundation, and Dr. Ali Cunningham, associate professor of clinical mental health counseling, believe are critical to the collective well-being of both students and the world as a whole.
Just over one year ago, Lynch's foundation donated $50,000 that now is assisting four Lynn students—Hailie Zwick, Hildah Karimi Gitonga, Vierge Audrey Selexant and Marieliz Almonte—in earning master's degrees in clinical mental health counseling. The gift funds annual $2,500 scholarships for the four students for five years ... a lifeline that will bridge the gap for those who are inspired to help others but may not be able to afford a graduate education.
"We have many international students, some of whom may face barriers for becoming a therapist. The Quell Foundation scholarship aims to help these students, including those who eventually want to return to their home countries yet receive training that may not be available to them there," said Cunningham. "Our program has adopted a global perspective, which makes me really proud."
While recent events pushed the mental health conversation to the forefront, the crisis existed long before 2020, affecting students across all cultures, religions, nationalities and socioeconomic backgrounds. The beacon of hope? Over time, more people from all walks of life have been considering and actively pursuing therapy.
"The Quell Foundation scholarship really helped me out … It has been a much-appreciated opportunity that is allowing me to pursue my dream of making an impact and being of service to others," said Gitonga, who is from Kenya and considering returning home after she graduates to help break the stigmas surrounding mental health in her community. "I want to help people help themselves and show them it's okay to talk about their problems. For now, I’m excited to learn as much as I can so I can implement the lessons I learn when I go back home."
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults, or 51.5 million people, live with a mental illness. Lynn's scholarships are part of $1.8 million Quell has provided for students at more than 450 colleges. The goal is to ensure more mental health professionals can meet an ever-growing demand.
"When it comes to finding mental health counselors, many clients are seeking identity matches," added Cunningham. "The community has caught up to the idea that mental health is of much greater importance than how it was once perceived; now, the industry (and training) needs to include professionals who are representative of those seeking therapy."
Meanwhile, Quell isn't stopping with its scholarships: The foundation continues to normalize the conversation about mental health through podcasts, fundraisers and documentaries such as Lift the Mask, which Lynch returned to Lynn to present last fall. The compelling 70-minute film shares stories told by people Lynch has met along his journey. The name is tied to the foundation's slogan, "Lifting the Mask," which refers to the metaphoric mask one might wear to hide mental illness.
Quell has hosted screenings of Lift the Mask around the country. Another documentary focused on normalizing the conversation within the first responders community is currently in the works.
Driven by passion and purpose, Lynch is steadfast in his mission to improve both the care and conversations surrounding mental health: "We will never know how many lives we impact, but that impact is generational."
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