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Geisel Community Celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month

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During Mental Health Awareness Month in May, members of the Geisel School of Medicine community came together to promote connection, compassion, and wellbeing.  

Led by Geisel’s Office of Student Life in collaboration with Dartmouth Health & Wellness, the Geisel community participated in Kind30, a Dartmouth-wide initiative encouraging 30 intentional acts of kindness. Kind30 invited students, staff, and faculty to integrate meaningful acts of care into their daily routines throughout the month. From handwritten notes of appreciation to wellness-focused events and peer support activities, the effort aimed to foster a stronger culture of kindness across campus.

“Since starting at Dartmouth 10 years ago, I’ve remained in the student engagement realm,” says Kate Adams, program manager for student wellness and engagement at Geisel. “I’ve seen firsthand student anxiety, imposter syndrome, and loneliness spread in the student experience here. With roles like mine focused on mental health and wellbeing, I’ve been lucky enough to implement and execute numerous programs that increase awareness, spread accessibility to resources, and emphasize the overall importance of mental health for all students.”

“This month is important because it helps not only students, but the entire Dartmouth community to reflect, connect, and support one another,” Adams says.

Geisel kicked off its participation with a Kind30 Launch Party on May 1 in the Student Life Suite. Held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed community members to sign up for the initiative, receive “Kind30 – Creating a Culture of Kindness” wristbands, and engage with an act of kindness on the spot.

Participants had the opportunity to write thank-you letters or create encouraging messages to post in public spaces around campus. Student wellness representatives, two from each MD class, also helped support and promote the initiative.

As part of Kind30, Geisel community members were encouraged to participate in ways that felt meaningful to them. Suggested activities included gratitude practice, team kindness challenges, group service projects, and wellness-centered gatherings designed to strengthen community connections.

Additional Mental Health Awareness Month programming continued throughout May. During regalia pickup, fourth-year medical students were invited to participate in a wellness raffle by completing one of several mental health-focused activities, including taking a mental health screening, responding to journal prompts, or writing congratulatory notes to classmates.

The month concluded with a Mental Health First Aid Training hosted by Adams and Erin Anderson for all Geisel students on May 30, providing participants with tools to recognize and respond to signs of mental health challenges in their communities.

By centering kindness and mental health awareness throughout the month, organizers hope to continue a culture of compassion and support across Geisel.

Written By: Mia Soucy

POSTED 6/1/2026 AT 09:59 AM IN #mentalhealth #healthsciences #MD #studentlife