A Champion for Mental Health
NOTE: This story contains references to suicide and mental health challenges. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Anna Vermeulen, a senior swimmer and mental health advocate wanted to make her voice heard, and today it was happening. She was sat at the head of a table with several leaders from across campus – a dean, vice presidents and more – and they were looking to her. Usually, Vermeulen serves as a leader of the Women’s Swim & Dive team. Today, she was the leader of the University of San Diego, president for a day.
Each year, USD President James T. Harris III DEd, swaps places with a student. He attends their classes and extracurricular activities, they attend his meetings and campus events.
This year, the timing of the swap was fitting. May is Mental Health Month, and Vermeulen wanted to use the platform to raise awareness about student and student-athlete mental health. She spoke with USD leaders about the student perspective – some of the stresses that they face – and what resources are available across campus.
“We prioritize physical health, and people just kind of dismiss the mental side of things a lot of times,” Vermeulen said. “Having the conversations. Asking the deep and personal hard questions. That's going to be the thing that makes the biggest difference in the world.”
Vermeulen, wearing a green ribbon for Mental Health Month, spoke with student affairs leaders about programming related to USD’s partnership with the JED Foundation. That partnership is part of a push to expand mental health resources available to students. At last week’s meeting, Vermeulen and the group discussed how to reach students, and get their input.
Mental health is personal to Vermeulen. As a student-athlete, she understands first-hand the demands of a busy college life. But her stake in the issue goes beyond herself. She lost a close friend to suicide, a devastating loss that had ripple effects throughout her community. Since then, she’s made it her mission to help those who are struggling and to destigmatize discussions about mental health. Vermeulen wants to create a culture where people don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Today, she serves as an ambassador for Robbie’s Hope Foundation, an organization started in the memory of another family friend, that works to address teen mental health challenges.
“(Robbie’s Hope) has been so inspiring and helped deal with my grief by making a change and a positive impact instead of just sitting with it and being upset – actually doing something about it and being able to see a positive impact,” Vermeulen said.
That’s what she talked about when meeting with school leaders throughout the day. Coincidentally, Knauss School of Business Dean Brian Tietje, PhD, had a connection to Robbie’s Hope from some of his past work. It was something he and Vermeulen, a business student, bonded over.
Additionally, as part of the President for a Day program, Harris donated $1,000 to Robbie’s Hope on Vermeulen’s behalf.
"Having the conversations. Asking the deep and personal hard questions. That's going to be the thing that makes the biggest difference in the world.”
And while she was championing her fellow students in her new role, Harris was walking a mile in her shoes.
The day started with Harris and Vermeulen attending a breakfast with the USD Facilities staff, thanking them for all the work they do to support the students. From there, they embarked on a hike through Tecolote Canyon, a fixture of President for a Day, where the two get a chance to chat and connect before swapping roles.
When they broke off, Harris filled in for Vermeulen, attending her personal finance class, where students were presenting on a final project. After a quick bite for lunch, he made his way to Hogan Tennis Center, where Vermeulen had set up a therapy dog event meant to facilitate conversations with students and connect them with mental health resources. Finally, he grabbed a cup of coffee with Vermeulen’s friend, fellow swimmer Chloe Howell, to chat about her experience.
“For me, President for a Day is a little selfish because I would like to learn what it’s truly like to be a student at USD. It really gives me a better perspective,” said Harris. “I gain quite a bit of insight into what it’s like to live on campus. I think it makes me a better president when I know how students live.”
Vermeulen’s day wasn’t over yet. After meeting with university leadership, Austin Galy, of USD’s Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness and Social Action took out in Linda vista, to show her USD’s neighborhood and some of the work being done off campus.
Finally, she returned to campus for a Zoom call with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, who commended Vermeulen for all the work she’s done to promote mental wellness, and discussed her own advocacy for mental health in the halls of Congress. The conversation was validating for Vermeulen, even emotional at times.
It was a busy, demanding day. But by the end, Vermeulen was all smiles.
“This has been such an incredible experience, and getting this opportunity is so special,” she said. “Seeing all that goes into President Harris’ day and all that goes into the university has been eye-opening. I’m so honored to have received this opportunity.”