Special Mental Health Awareness Month Article
Abby Le is a third-year PharmD candidate, and Jonathan Kim is a second-year PharmD candidate, at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.
Mental health awareness is more than just a month-long initiative at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Recognizing the role that mental health plays in the well-being of our student body and community, our APhA–ASP Chapter established the Maryland Regional Operation (MRO), a chapter-specific patient care operation dedicated to advancing mental health, wellness, and community service through innovative programming and partnerships.
MRO initiatives
MRO has led several initiatives in 2024–2025 focused on encouraging open conversations about mental health. During Suicide Prevention Month in September, MRO launched a social media campaign highlighting gender disparities in suicide rates and sharing accessible mental health resources. The campaign generated more than 900 impressions and sparked meaningful dialogue about suicide prevention and help-seeking behaviors.
In October, MRO collaborated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and campus partners to host a 2-day Mental Health Awareness Week event. The first day featured the #IWillListen Campaign, where students across disciplines pledged to support peers seeking help. With therapy dogs, interactive activities, and NAMI and campus counseling center resources, the event created a welcoming space for open discussion. The following day, students and faculty gathered for donuts while receiving notes of encouragement and counseling resources. These events engaged more than 200 students and fostered a supportive campus environment.
MRO also addressed social determinants of health that affect mental well-being. In partnership with the Maryland Food Bank and other community organizations, student pharmacists assembled more than 3,000 grab-and-go lunches for Baltimore children and contributed to broader initiatives, including food drives and the distribution of essential items such as blankets. By helping address food insecurity—an important contributor to stress and poor health—student pharmacists supported both the physical and mental well-being of the community.
Community engagement extended to younger populations through an elementary school health fair, where student pharmacists introduced mental wellness concepts through hands-on activities such as stress ball creation and spinning a “self-affirmation wheel.” These activities encouraged positive self-talk and introduced coping strategies in a fun age-appropriate way.
Collaborations with patient care operations
Collaboration across patient care operations further strengthened student wellness initiatives. Leading up to finals week, “Mind, Boogie, and Soul” encouraged students to prioritize movement and stress relief through group dance sessions and wellness trivia. Operation Heart’s “Stress Less, Heart More: A Ripple Effect” initiative shared handwritten encouragement cards and stress management tips across all classes, emphasizing the connection between mental and cardiovascular health. Operation Substance Use Disorders also raised funds to support organizations addressing substance misuse and mental health crises.
Building on these efforts, the chapter continues to expand its wellness programming. Recent initiatives include yoga sessions, a steps competition, and peer-support tabling events where students shared encouraging messages displayed before exams. These efforts fostered a sense of community and reinforced the importance of mental health and well-being among students during high-stress periods.
Through these initiatives, our chapter continues to cultivate a culture that prioritizes mental health and wellness, both within the student body and throughout the communities we serve.