In this episode of GridgeFridge, we sit down with Dr. Ellen Marks, director of Mental Health Services at University Health Services (UHS) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Marks first came to UW–Madison as part of a one-year internship for her doctoral training. Ten years later, she’s still here, sustained by her family, the campus community and the ability to build a life here.
Now, she is an emerging mental health leader, managing clinical care, crisis response and program development–all while continuing to counsel students. In her time at UHS, Marks has witnessed the evolving mental health landscape for college students, one shaped by academic pressure, isolation, identity development and broader societal pressures.
One central element to Marks’ process is holistic health–the understanding that well being is multifaceted and needs to be understood in the context of the whole person. This includes understanding the impact of housing on well-being, noting that for students to participate fully and safely in campus, they need stable housing. Supporting the improvement of mental health necessitates campus-wide collaboration beyond counseling.
Looking forward, Marks is hopeful for the future of mental health on college campuses. She describes a generation of students who are open and intentional in discussing their mental health. A generation more willing to seek support and offer the same to others. Her work, and the work of UHS, focuses not only on crisis response, but on building a system that promotes belonging, accessibility, and sustainable well-being.
If you’re interested in learning more about mental health resources at UW–Madison, visit uhs.wisc.edu.