The Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg and Family Depression Center has been home to the Depression on College Campuses Conference for more than 20 years. The annual event hosts attendees from over 50 colleges and universities from across the nation for a focused review of recent research and practical advances in our understanding of mental illnesses in college students. 

Save the date

The next Depression on College Campuses Conference will be held April 1-2, 2025, in Ann Arbor, MI. Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about the 2025 conference, including early bird pricing. 

2024 conference theme

The current generation of college students has experienced unprecedented stressors in their lifetime – including trauma, violence, and a pandemic – that have changed the ways we provide treatment and other support services. College campuses across the U.S. continue to see rising rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout, with many college students meeting the criteria for at least one mental health problem.

The 2024 Depression on College Campuses Conference: A New Generation examined the evolution of college mental health over the past 20 years and discussed innovative ways higher education has responded to unique student needs today while looking ahead to the future.

The 2024 conference was held March 12-13 at Rackham Graduate School in Ann Arbor. 

What you’ll learn at DOCC 

Depression among college students is an urgent public health problem. If we are to prevent the progression, chronicity, recurrence, and burden of depression and related illnesses, we must emphasize earlier detection, intervention, and ultimately, prevention.

Attendees can expect an improved understanding of and ability to implement:

  • Forward-looking programs to support the well-being of all students
  • Best practices and model programs to meet the growing demand for mental health support 
  • Research, which demonstrates trends in college student mental health and support service delivery models
  • Policies and programs developed to be responsive to current and future generations of college students
  • Outreach models to engage students from various identity groups 
  • Strategies for promoting student resiliency in the current world

Who should attend

The conference attracts a diverse audience of professionals working on college campuses, including:

  • Academic advisors
  • Counselors and counseling center directors
  • Faculty 
  • Health educators
  • Parents
  • Psychiatrists
  • Psychologists
  • Student Affairs administrators and staff
  • Students 

Continuing education credits

Michigan Medicine is an approved provider with the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative. Approved Provider Number: MICEC 0056. This course is approved for 9.0 CE clock hours. Out-of-state providers may need to contact their state licensing organization for answers about continuing education requirements.

This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES) to receive up to 9.0 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available are 0.

Honoring student mental health advocates

The George Orley Student Mental Health Advocate Award recognizes college students who display outstanding leadership and passion for campus mental health. The award is presented annually at the Depression on College Campuses conference luncheon. Learn more

Special thanks to our donors

We would like to thank the following contributors. Without their generous support and collaboration, this event would not be possible.

  • Katherine and Tom Goldberg 
  • Arif Iqball, in memory of Naveed Arif Iqball
  • Diane, Randy, Amanda and Sam Orley, in memory of George Orley

From the University of Michigan:

  • Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
  • Marsal Family School of Education
  • Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies
  • Stephen M. Ross School of Business
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
  • College of Pharmacy
  • Medical School
  • Office of the Provost
  • School of Dentistry
  • School of Public Health
  • School of Social Work