“What can I do?” was the question on the table at last night’s discussion sponsored by the Harvard Mental Health Advocacy Group (MHAAG).

“We’re here to promote destigmatization of mental health issues through open discussion,” said MHAAG co-chair Eunice Yang ’08. The approximately 20 students, alums, and MHAAG members present for the event pushed the couches in the Lowell JCR into a tight circle and discussed ways to help friends suffering from mental health issues.

Though all of the information presented in the meeting was meant to apply to individuals helping friends with problems, Isabelle C. Burtan ’06-’07, MHAAG secretary, said that she hoped that the event might be helpful for students suffering from their own problems. “Mental health is an issue that affects everybody,” she said.

MHAAG members handed out a pamphlet titled “Mental Health First Aid: How to Help a Friend in Distress.” The packet addressed the issues of general distress, alcoholism, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicide, and presented ways to identify and cope with these problems.

Attendees discussed their personal experiences with these issues and offered advice to one another. Burton recommended that individuals who are trying to help friends with mental problems should express concern but avoid giving advice or placating the person.

In addition to discussing general ways of coping with mental issues, attendees learned about the signs of alcoholism, including guilt about drinking, lying about or hiding drinking habits, and unsuccessful attempts to cut down on/stop drinking.

MHAAG members informed those who attended the meeting about the amnesty policy at University Health Services (UHS) regarding drinking-related admittances. The policy states that administrators will not punish students admitted to UHS for drinking.

The group also discussed the differences between anxiety and normal stress and the differences between sadness and major depression. MHAAG’s pamphlet listed several resources for dealing with these and other mental issues.

Students who attended the meeting were rewarded with cheesecake, chocolate-covered espresso beans, tortilla chips, and cheese-and-crackers.