Cultivating Well-being and Pursuing the Common Good through a Holistic Approach to Mental Health

Kennedy Union 222

With unprecedented levels of distress (anxiety, stress, depression, etc.) negatively impacting students’ academic performance, their ability to carry out daily activities, and their capacity to engage in meaningful relationships, the University of Dayton developed the UD Step Care Model, a visual tool to empower all members of the community to shift the culture of resiliency. The comprehensive approach to destigmatizing mental health challenges, promoting the dignity of all members of our communities, and educating students on self-help strategies reflects a holistic approach to mental health and empowers faculty and staff to guide students through conversation to broaden the perspective of well-being, encourage proactivity and autonomy, and promote campus supports. This session will highlight the ways in which the model reflects caring for the whole person and nurturing a community of learners. Further, it will discuss ways in which this these elements promote an ethic of well-being as an intrinsic part of the University of Dayton institutional identity.