L to R: Gregory Robinson, Jaxon Doram, Cole Childrey. (Photo: University of Lethbridge)

By Joel Mendelson

University of Lethbridge students launch mental health campaign

Oct 2, 2023 | 8:07 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Four University of Lethbridge(U of L) students have launched the #MycosMentalHealth campaign, with the intention of increasing awareness of mental health and natural remedies that can help.

The students have launched the initiative at the onset of Mental Illness Awareness Week, which runs from October 1, 2023, to October 7. Their campaign, however, will run through to Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

The students have gone around campus with a chalkboard, asking people what their natural mental health remedy is. They write the answer on the board, then post it on Instagram. Thus far, solutions have included going for a walk, exercising, standing barefoot in the grass, getting fresh air and listening to music.

U of L PhD candidate, and founder of Mycos, Gregory Robinson said, “We can talk about mental health, and we can bring awareness to it, but what’s much more important is actually talking about how we can improve our mental health.”

Robinson continued, “That’s why we decided to go the natural remedies route. Let’s talk about ways that you can actually improve your own mental health and share that with everyone instead of just talking about mental health.”

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Robinson developed the campaign alongside Jaxon Doram, Cole Childrey and Bailey Porter. They started the initiative in response to growing concerns around mental health.

Doram said, “We’re at that age where it is most prevalent.”

He continued, “A lot of us are out here on our own for the first time, we’re away from our families and may not have any of our friends from high school here.”

Childrey said, “The whole campaign is talking about what you can do as a natural remedy to help with your mental health.”

In an attempt to engage students with the campaign, each student that reposts the Instagram posts will be automatically entered into a monthly draw to win a prize from either UrbanDropout (founded by Robinson, Doram and Childrey) or the Little Love Candle company (founded by Porter).

Robinson has also donated $500 to create a scholarship fund. He is seeking further funding from the University, undergraduate and graduate student administration. He has also applied for funding from the NeuroSpark Innovation Grants program. The potential scholarship would be awarded to students who raise the most awareness.

Robinson said, “Anyone can join in the campaign.”

He added, “People outside universities and colleges, and even high school and elementary school students suffer from mental health illnesses, as well as people who are older.”

The students are encouraging the public to get involved by posting their own photos, videos, and more about their natural remedies for mental health.

Childrey said, “We want to promote a healthy mindset and being healthy mentally no matter the age group.”

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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