Real Chemistry, Hill Communications and TNH collaborate on research report detailing the mental health status of Syracuse University students

Student-run organizations Hill Communications and TNH have teamed up with Real Chemistry, a global health innovation firm, to release the findings from a semester-long research study detailing the mental health climate on campus for Syracuse University students. Based on a pool of 131 respondents, the report, titled “Minds of SU: Student Mental Health Research,” aims to shed light onto the mental state of students.

Hill Communications director Nacy Woods says, “As the world inches back towards normalcy, we find value in reflecting upon and understanding the impacts the pandemic has had on the mental health of young people. This campaign aims to foster community by connecting individuals with others through personal experiences as well as providing a humane and intimate
perspective about life as young adults over the past two years.”

Key statistics found in the report include:

• 88.5% of students said they agree in some way that the pandemic changed the way they think about their own mental health.
• 15.9% of students said they did feel supported by Syracuse University’s mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 43.2% of students said they did not feel supported by Syracuse University’s mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 52.6% of students said they agree or strongly agree that a stigma or negative perception still exists around mental health.

These findings have helped to structure a campaign launched by Hill Communications and TNH entitled Minds of SU. It seeks to raise awareness about mental health initiatives, resources and strategies and promote connectivity on campus by appealing to collective human experiences. The main component, the Instagram account @mindsofsu, features informational graphics, student stories and lighthearted content.