Ongoing since 2019
Project Director: Tracy Gladstone, Ph.D.
Funded by: Huiying Memorial Foundation, CY He '18 Vice President
College is a stressful time, and students often report feeling overwhelmed. Many students may experience times of increased anxiety and low mood. Students who suffer from serious symptoms of anxiety and depression are encouraged to seek treatment. Other students who do not have serious symptoms but might be showing early signs of depression may benefit from additional support to reinforce their mental wellness. Thanks to a generous grant to the College from the Huiying Memorial Foundation, CY He '18 Vice President, and in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students, a research team from the Wellesley Centers for Women will design an innovative program to serve these students.
Ministering to the Blue is a pilot study that aims to develop and evaluate a program to promote healthy coping strategies and wellness in Wellesley College students. Over the next two years, the research team will, with meaningful involvement from Wellesley students, faculty, and staff, design and test an online intervention program specifically for Wellesley College students at risk for depression, based on the latest depression prevention research.
Tracy Gladstone, Ph.D., an associate director and senior research scientist with the Wellesley Centers for Women, will lead the Ministering to the Blue research team. Dr. Gladstone is the inaugural director of the Robert S. and Grace W. Stone Primary Prevention Initiatives at WCW and has an extensive background in studying, developing, and evaluating depression prevention programs.
During the 2019-20 academic year, Wellesley College students can get involved with Ministering to the Blue by serving on a student advisory committee or applying for a student research assistant position with the project.
To learn more or to receive notifications about this project directly, please email ministeringtotheblue@wellesley[dot]edu.
Download the informational flyer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ministering to the Blue.
Focus Groups
In fall 2019, a diverse group of students participated in focus groups to inform the development of the program. During these focus groups, students shared their insights on the challenges and struggles experienced by Wellesley students that may contribute to low mood, and also shared their more general perceptions about the wellness needs of the campus community. They gave valuable insight as to how a depression prevention program could be created to be a valued resource for students.
Ways to Get Involved: Student Advisory Board
We are seeking students to serve on a Student Advisory Board. These students will inform the development and personalization of Wellesley’s own intervention program. We are looking for board members who are interested in the mental health of the Wellesley student community and will be able to assist project leaders in highlighting key issues affecting Wellesley students. Applicants should be comfortable discussing the sources of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms that many Wellesley students experience.
The Student Advisory Board will meet once every month, for one hour, throughout the academic year. We will do our best to select a time that works for everyone and will compensate each committee member $15/meeting. We may continue to seek your counsel after the intervention has been developed, but this would be as needed and would require less of your time.
Apply to the Ministering to the Blue Student Advisory Board.
Student Advisory Board Application Deadline: November 18, 2019
Ways to Get Involved: Student Research Assistant
We are seeking a student intern to assist with the development of Ministering to the Blue. The student intern will assist with the development of a Wellesley-specific depression prevention program. The position will likely involve multiple forms of outreach to Wellesley students, scheduling and/or coordinating monthly student advisory board meetings, writing content for research materials, and working with a video production team to create research materials.
The position will be six to eight hours per week, located at the Wellesley Centers for Women in the Stone Center at Wellesley College. Work schedule will be within standard work hours 8:30am-4:30pm and determined based on the student intern’s availability.
Skills Required:
- Excellent communication and social skills
- Excellent writing skills
- Organized, detail-oriented, and effective at time management
- Ability to interact well with students, faculty, and administrators
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
Preferred:
- Coursework in Psychology or related field
Apply for the Ministering to the Blue Student Research Assistant position on Handshake
Student Research Assistant Application Deadline: November 18, 2019
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