Student Mental Health Advocate Awards

Depression Center Executive Director John Greden, with Student Mental Health Advocate Award winners David Catalan, Catherine Kim, and Patrick Hannah.

To recognize outstanding student leadership in the area of campus mental health, the University of Michigan initiated the Student Mental Health Advocate Award in 2007. The undergraduate and graduate students who have been nominated from across the country have all made a significant impact in their campus communities by raising awareness of mental health issues, advocating for mental health services on campus, and helping to reduce the stigma of depressive illnesses.

Patrick Hannah

Senior, Wayne State University
Major: Social Work

As President of the Student Veterans' Organization, Patrick recognized an urgent need for reorganization and innovation, as more veterans returned from deployment and enrolled at Wayne State. He conducted a needs assessment survey, demonstrating conclusively that the mental health needs of the university's growing veteran population were not being met. With this data, he advocated for action by petitioning university faculty, staff, administration and directly contacting The WSU Board of Governors. This bold initiative led directly to the February, 2011 opening of a Veteran's Resource Center.

Patrick has a unique ability to envision and inspire by modeling advocacy. Through the Veteran Resource Center, he has provided leadership for the implementation of programs that assist Veterans making the difficult transition from the military to the classroom: The Peer Mentoring program assists newly enrolled students with issues of transition, isolation and retention by pairing them with juniors and seniors who help them navigate the university system; The Community Service Program recognizes the psychological need for a continued "mission" and unites veterans providing outreach services to the community at large; The Vet2Vet/Battle Buddy program pairs combat veterans struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD and other mental health issues, with Veterans who can help. This program promotes resilience and mental health through direct and immediate referral.

Patrick has forged a strong alliance with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), recently creating a liaison position between CAPS and the Veterans' Resource Center. I am the Director of CAPS and have worked in weekly collaboration with Patrick on programs aimed at reducing the stigma for students seeking counseling for depression, anxiety, complicated grief and post-traumatic stress. As a direct result, CAPS has seen a marked increase in the number of Veterans seeking formal psychological counseling for these issues.

Patrick has raised awareness of mental health issues throughout the university by giving talks to faculty, staff, alumni, and student groups regarding the unique challenges facing student veterans. In January 2012, by appointment of The Provost, Patrick was commissioned to serve on a university wide committee on Veterans Affairs. Patrick's vision and leadership in the area of mental health has truly transformed WSU into a blossoming safe haven for our student Veterans and returning warriors.

Nominated by: Lynn G. Hill, LCSW, BCD, Director, Counseling and Psychological Services, Wayne State University