We are the UCLA Samueli Class of 2019 and our goal is to improve the mental health of engineering students through wellness programs. There is a dire need for knowledge of and access to such resources and we as the Class of 2019 want to support the wellness of future Bruin Engineers. As our graduation gift, we want to #EngineerWellness.

Why we care about Engineering Wellness

A study by the American College Health Association showed that about 85% of students felt overwhelmed by all they had to do in the last 12 months; about 53% have felt that things were hopeless at least once in that time [1]. Engineering students, in particular, are prone to severe levels of stress and anxiety. The rigid and demanding curriculum, the expectation to be involved in extracurricular activities and research, the pressure to secure jobs and internships - they add up and weigh heavily on students. Yet in an environment where "I'm stressed" and "I only had three hours of sleep" are normal parts of a conversation, these issues often go unaddressed.

We, as the committee members of the senior class campaign, know that many of our friends have suffered from depression, severe anxiety, feeling of hopelessness or other issues relating to mental health over the past four years. Take a second to think about this: have you or any of your friends faced similar mental health problems in the past few years?

We want to help. As Bruin Engineers, we believe that we can #EngineerWellness. Our solution involves the following:

• CAPS@Engineering: supporting continued operation of the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Engineering satellite clinic
• Leading with Wellness: empowering leaders of student organizations to identify and support their struggling peers, through collaboration with RISE (Resilience in your Student Experience)
• Programs for Wellness: offering game days and stress-relieving activities in Boelter or Court of Science, reminding students that it's important to take a break
• Awareness of Wellness: ensuring that every engineering student is aware of all available resources through print and email campaigns

But to be able to launch these initiatives, we need your help.How Would Your Donations Help?

A small donation of $20.19 can fund about 30 minutes in the CAPS Engineering clinic in Boelter Hall. That half hour can be transformative for a student. Continued operation of the CAPS Engineering clinic would ensure that UCLA Samueli students have quick and convenient access to counselors when they urgently need help.

Some funds will go towards training student organization leaders. A person often turns to a friend for help before a professional. Organization leaders have a wide reach among their peers; a large portion of Samueli students have some involvement in engineering clubs. This is especially true of new students. In those first stressful months as a first-year or transfer student, a support system may not be well-developed, but the student leaders will definitely be visible. With some training from our partners in RISE, student officers of these organizations would be able to handle preliminary conversations on mental health issues and promote wellness. This will create a ripple effect of a healthier, more informed environment for everyone in the engineering community.

Thank You!

The Samueli Senior Class Gift has been a tradition for the past 15 years. Each year, the Campaign Committee comes up with ways to leave their mark as they leave the school. Previous projects have included beautification of the Engineering 4 patio, renovations of Boelter's 5th-floor bathrooms, and funding for student projects and the Center for Excellence in Engineering Diversity (CEED). Donations come from alumni, faculty, and friends, but a significant portion has always come from the generosity of the senior class. 

Thank you for being a part of this community, and thank you for caring about the wellness of future generations. Once a Bruin, Always a Bruin!

For more information on our partners, visit their websites:

• Counseling and Psychological Services: https://www.counseling.ucla.edu/
• Resilience in Your Student Experience: https://www.resilience.ucla.edu/#rise

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Sources:

[1] https://www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHA-II_Fall_2018_Reference_Group_Executive_Summary.pdf