17th Annual Depression on College Campuses Conference Kicks off March 13

Conference to focus on individualized care and precision medicine

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Leaders and innovators in student mental health will converge in Ann Arbor in March as the U-M Depression Center kicks off its 17th annual Depression on College Campuses Conference (DoCC), which is focused on “One Size Does Not Fit All: Aligning Levels of Care to Student Mental Health Needs.”

The conference theme was chosen to address the need for tailored approaches to student mental health. As college campuses become more and more diverse, a pronged approach to student care is needed.

The DoCC will be held on March 13-14 at the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School building in Ann Arbor. Expert guest speakers will discuss new research findings, model programs, and innovative strategies that demonstrate how colleges and universities are adapting to the changing demand for services by implementing distinct and unique approaches to mental health programs. The full conference agenda is available here.

The Depression on College Campuses conference is a multi-disciplinary forum for clinicians, researchers, academic advisors, students, faculty, and others from institutions across the country to discuss the latest findings and best practices related to the prevention of depression and its consequences during the high-stakes college years.

In addition to a panel discussion, workshops, and concurrent sessions, the conference will feature two keynote presentations:

  • Opening keynote on Wednesday, March 13 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Peter Cornish, Ph.D. will present “Stepped Care 2.0: A Framework for Rapid Access, Flexible Care Options and Improved Outcomes.” Dr. Cornish is an associate professor and registered psychologist at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada.
  • Closing keynote on Thursday, March 14 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.: John F. Greden, M.D., executive director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center will present “Personalized, Precision Treatments for Depression on College Campuses: Can it be Done?”

“Our conference agenda addresses overall wellness and help-seeking; how to reduce loneliness; how leadership can make improvements; technology; resilience; and so much more,” said Stephanie Salazar, M.P.H., program manager for outreach and education at the U-M Depression Center and conference lead. “My hope is that our conference attendees leave feeling confident in handling the complex mental health challenges that their schools or campuses may be struggling with.”

Registration is FREE for students from any campus, but an online registration form is still required. The registration fee for non-students is $185. Members of the media covering the event may register at no cost. Additional information on the conference can be found at: depressioncenter.org/docc.

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Established in 2001, the University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center (UMDC) is the first of its kind devoted entirely to bringing depression into the mainstream of medical research, translational care, education, and public policy. The Center is at the forefront in changing the paradigm of how depression and bipolar illnesses are understood and treated. Learn more: depressioncenter.org.