Eastern Michigan University’s Honors College recently held a discussion addressing the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students’ mental health. The event, titled “The Long-Term Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” was organized in response to strong student interest following a previous lecture by EMU social work professor Jillian Graves that explored mental health as a human right.
During the session, Professor Graves highlighted how extended periods of social isolation have impacted students in both graduate and undergraduate programs. She said, “I think about the students I’ve known both in the graduate and undergraduate programs who’ve talked about the impact of a couple of years of social isolation. They’ve shared what it was like to work in environments like nursing homes, where students who already worked in the field were constantly having to process the death of their patients through tablets and phone calls with family members.”
Graves also discussed practical methods for improving psychological well-being and suggested ways for students to support each other’s mental health. Students participated by sharing their experiences from remote learning and discussed how the pandemic has changed their ability to build relationships.
Eastern Michigan University continues to prioritize mental health through initiatives such as its Faculty Development Center, which encourages dialogue between faculty and students, and its “Building a Community of Caring” program focused on student well-being.
Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is recognized for its educational offerings across various disciplines including arts, sciences, business, education, engineering, technology, and health services. The university provides more than 200 undergraduate majors and minors as well as graduate programs according to its official website. EMU is known for preparing students for professional success by offering hands-on learning opportunities and building critical thinking skills.
The campus features both historic architecture and modern facilities designed to support student achievement (official website). Over time, EMU has earned national recognition for several academic programs (official website) while maintaining its commitment to meaningful societal contributions (official website). James Smith has served as president of Eastern Michigan University (official website).
For further information about academic offerings or university news at Eastern Michigan University visit their website.
