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Almost 40 percent of college students experience a significant mental health issue, and about 50 percent of the U.S. population will experience a mental health condition, according to , a leading nonprofit organization for mental health awareness and education for students. 

Recognizing the impact on students and other members of the university and local community, ����ֱ�� State University is bringing together experts and stakeholders to explore the issue of mental health on college campuses.

The 2019 Larry Pollock ����ֱ�� State of Wellness Summit will take place on Wednesday, April 3, from 5-8 p.m. at the ����ֱ�� Student Center Ballroom with the theme “State of Mind: Creating a Community of Health, Hope and Awareness.”

The event is free and open to members of the public, but online registration is required by March 28 at www.kent.edu/stateofwellness/summit2019.

The keynote speaker is Alison Malmon, founder and executive director of Active Minds. The interactive event also will feature speakers from the and , as well as student-led panels and presentations, and participation from area high schools and colleges. The conversational-style event will afford attendees the opportunity to discuss issues, solutions and resources, and ask questions of panelists and other experts. Additionally, in line with its goal to promote a healthy campus, healthy appetizers from ����ֱ�� State’s Dining Services will be served during the event. 

Student involvement is a priority for the summit, hence, Rylie Woods, ����ֱ�� State higher education administration graduate student, and Annelise Stopar, ����ֱ�� State junior marketing student, serve as summit co-chairs.

“Mental health is such an important topic, especially on college campuses,” Ms. Woods said. “We have the opportunity to come together as a community, discuss mental health within the college population and learn about ways that we can create positive change. The theme encompasses key words that are so important when talking about mental health on college campuses: health – because mental health is vital to a person’s overall health and well-being; hope – because there is always hope, resources and assistance available for those who need it; and awareness – because we all should be aware of mental health symptoms and resources so that we can support those around us, as well as ourselves.”

Ms. Stopar added that this timely summit will discuss an issue that can impact students’ ability to succeed on campus and after they graduate.

“We’re really excited to host this summit on campus and bring together members of our larger community to have real and practical conversations about mental health,” Ms. Stopar said. “Our goal is to promote mental health, educate and offer our community members hope through the many resources that are available to them.”

The summit is co-sponsored by ����ֱ�� State of Wellness, a university-level initiative to promote health and wellness.

For more information and to register, visit www.kent.edu/stateofwellness/summit2019.

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Media Contacts:
Melissa Celko, mcelko1@kent.edu, 330-672-1063
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595