Illuminate Encore: Supporting Gen Z Mental Health
Unlisted Event
Thu 9/4 • 10:30AM - 11:30AM PDT
CAPS Large Conference Room
From Triggers to Menty B’s: Compassion-Centered Approaches to Supporting Gen Z Mental Health
Dr. Drea Letamendi, Director of the CORE Program, and Josh Mayfield, Interim Director of RISE, reprise their workshop from Illuminate 2025. Gen Z students report higher rates of depression, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness than previous generations. Despite these challenges, this generation stands out for their mental health literacy. This guided discussion will teach Student Affairs professionals effective strategies in engaging students about their mental health through a compassion-centered lens. Participants will learn how to implement trust-building responses to signs of stress, ways to show up and hold space as a mental health and neurodiversity ally, and when to escalate concerning situations to campus health partners.