Running of the Coogs
Latest JED initiative connects students with mental health run
When first-year Ph.D. student Amber Blackwell arrived at the University of Houston in July, her top priority was to find a run community for the benefit of her own mental health.
Blackwell, a College of Education research assistant originally from Los Angeles, didn’t have to look hard before she found numerous movement-based student organizations on campus.
“Movement is really important in improving your own mental health."
That ultimately inspired her to put on the Connect in Motion: UH x Nike for Mental Health event on Oct. 7 at Student Center Circle Drive. The event invited members of other student organizations – as well as any student interested – for a run or walk around the Cullen Fountain and Reflection Pool.
“Movement is really important in improving your own mental health," Blackwell said. “You could be feeling down, but you go for a run and you’re going to feel so much better. When you connect with other people through movement, it gives you a space you can go to with people who have probably gone through what you’re going through.”
The event was in collaboration with Nike, the popular Portland-based athletic company, thanks to Blackwell’s history working with the organization when she was in LA.
Nike sent local members of its team – called EKIN, which is Nike spelled backward – to allow students to try on and get fitted for the company’s new Pegasus Plus running shoe. Although the students did not get to keep the shoes, they got an opportunity to provide feedback on the footwear.
“I’ve done a few campaigns with Nike’s global team,” Blackwell said. “Nike is currently focused on the 19-27-year-old age group, so connecting with UH was perfect for them.”
Blackwell is a member of UH’s JED Campus Initiative, which aims to improve mental health services at colleges and universities. She said she started working on Connect in Motion in early September, teaming up with UH’s Counseling and Psychological Services.
To promote the event, which saw a little more than 30 attendees, CAPS worked with students in Professor Jennifer Vardeman’s public relations campaigns class.
“Valenti students remain passionate about promoting CAPS’ mental health resources to their peers,” Vardeman said. “They felt this collaboration was a fresh, innovative way to engage other students to feel connected with one another on campus.”
One of those students was Kevin Key, a senior communications major who said he knows how important it is for students to feel connected. Key has long been a supporter of campus organizations, and said he wants to make sure students are aware of the resources and groups available to them at UH.
“I want more people to know about the resources on the UH campus for connecting with people and dealing with student struggles, whether that’s stress from assignments, interpersonal stress or just needing friends,” Key said. "It's good to get people who share hobbies and interests connected to help with loneliness."
Nike Pegasus Plus running shoes.
Nike Pegasus Plus running shoes.
Jack J. Valenti School of Communication students Kevin Key (left), Nia Alexander, Karla Ramirez, Cameron White (right).
Jack J. Valenti School of Communication students Kevin Key (left), Nia Alexander, Karla Ramirez, Cameron White (right).
“It’s good to get people who share hobbies and interests connected to help with loneliness.”
UH is in the second of a four-year JED Campus Initiative and strides have already been made. The project is intended to build a support network on campus, ensuring every student knows they are not alone and has access to the mental health, substance use and suicide prevention resources they need.
Whether you are seeking help for yourself or someone else, or if you want to learn more, visit CoogsCARE. In August, UH released a CoogsCARE Toolkit. This resource is designed to assist one another in identifying and supporting individuals within our community who may need help.
Additionally, UH offers a variety of services, training and resources to support the UH community.
“We’re very proud of how these student communicators are invigorating the conversation around health, social belonging, and experiential learning while in college,” Vardeman said.
Need Support Now?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call CAPS crisis support 24/7 at 713-743-5454, or for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call or text 988, or chat online at 988 Lifeline Chat and Text.
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