Following is a list of applicants for the Samaritan Awards and a brief description of the projects. Decisions were made by a Selection Committee which included two faculty members, two staff members, and a student. No member of the Committee was affiliated with the Suffolk University Counseling Center.

Samaritan Award Winner

Oasis Room

By: International Undergraduate Student, Omar Camara Ramirez

The goal of this project is to create an accessible place on campus where students can feel relaxed and renewed as an antidote to depression caused by loneliness, adjustment difficulties, and the environment in New England (Seasonal Affective Disorder-SAD). The idea for the project is based on the personal experiences of an international student, from a warmer climate, who struggled with depression when first coming to Suffolk University and who developed his own "sun room" to provide relief. With space in the Suffolk Library already approved by the Director of the Library, the Oasis Room will be a place where anyone in the community can go and feel calm, relaxed and able to think. The room will include, (1) a GoLite which will help fight depression, help with SAD and other factors, (2) a warm humidifier to help create the feeling of being in a warm humid climate, (3) a white noise gadget that assists in relaxation with sounds of birds, waves, running water and other noises of nature. Students may turn these appliances on or off depending on their own personal preferences. The Oasis Room will remain open to students during the Library’s hours and students must get a key to access it from the front desk of the library. The color of the room (hanging sheets) will periodically change; there will be orchids and plants as well as warm lights. This Oasis Room will be a place for students to study, relax, think or even sleep and provide a chance for students to feel comfortable in their own school.

Samaritan Award Winner

Be Aware

By: Data Analyst and Adjunct Faculty Member in the Communications Department, Mark Rotondo, Freshman Students Amber Walsh and Meaghan Cormier

Using a number of group and communication strategies, this project’s goals are to eliminate the stigma of depression and establish a network for all students to access peer support and assistance. Personal experience of student team members has led to a focus on the stress and possible depression freshmen students feel while adjusting to college life. One aspect of the project includes a research group that will study the symptoms of depression and work with a marketing group to create a media campaign using posters and visuals to portray these symptoms. Another aspect includes plans for developing a web site where students can anonymously post their feelings and obtain information regarding the symptoms of depression and resources to help them and their peers. The web site will be the foundation for a "peer support network" that will reach out to students feeling stranded and isolated.

Samaritan Award Winner

Mindfulness-based Prevention

By: Professor of Psychology, Sue Orsillo, Undergraduate Student, Christina Balboni and Clinical Psychology Doctoral Students, Becky Billings, Veronica Sanchez, Carrie Silver and Tom Smithyman

This project’s goal is to increase the Suffolk community’s access to mindfulness skills through brochures, workshops, and a DVD. Research on mindfulness, a practice that originated from Buddhist traditions, indicates that its use is associated with improved physical health, reduced stress and anxiety, and a contribution to the prevention of depression. Brochures will provide an introduction to mindfulness-based skills and a resource guide from students to obtain more information. The project team will organize a series of workshops, open to all students, to increase awareness and to practice mindfulness-based skills in order to support the development of better coping skills to prevent depression. The DVD will include information about mindfulness-based skills and will be available to workshop participants and other campus groups. Outreach efforts will be made to student groups as well as the Ballotti Learning Center, Health Services, The Suffolk Journal, WSUB television station, WSFR radio station, and the Suffolk Web page.

Samaritan Award Winner

ADAPT Public Service Announcement (PSA)

By: Assistant Professor of Communication and Journalism, Nina Huntemann and WSUB, a student-run communications organization at Suffolk University

This project aims to educate students, especially those living in Suffolk residence housing, about the signs & symptoms of depression, and the ADAPT program, as well as increase visibility for the Counseling Center in general. The group will develop a broadcast-ready public service announcement on VHS tape that will be aired regularly on the WSUB cable channel. Working with the Counseling Center, the group will design a script that will address symptoms of depression, how it can be prevented and treated, and focus on the services the Counseling Center provides. After the script is finalized, WSUB Crew Members and the actors will shoot and edit the material. The commercial will be screened by the Counseling Center before the PSA is aired on the campus cable channel. The group hopes that this public service announcement, created by Suffolk students using Suffolk student actors, will have a compelling appeal to the target audience.

Samaritan Award - Recognition Certificate

Support Service For "Still Here" Faculty

By: Assistant Clinical Professor in the Sawyer Business School, Neil G. Hunt

The goal of this project is to assist those faculty members (tenure-track or not) who for whatever reasons have not had their contracts renewed. According to the policy handbook, a non-renewed tenure track faculty member is expected to teach his/her course load fully knowing that at the end of 12 months they will be unemployed by Suffolk. This process is stressful, impacts academic quality, and negatively impacts Suffolk reputation as a caring institution of life long learning. This proposal will include a series of guest speakers in Faculty Hiring Support areas and the creation of a collaborative network amongst faculty who have been terminated. In addition, mentoring sessions for department chairs will help them assist in the transition of terminated faculty. Through this increased awareness, support, and assistance for terminated faculty, Suffolk University can be shown to be a more caring community both internally and externally. Through providing this assistance, this project intends to show that "terminated" faculty can be productive and add quality to the community even though they are leaving.

Samaritan Award - Recognition Certificate

Suffolk: Your Home Away From Home

By: Director of the International Student Programming for the Center for International Education, R. Scott Reedy

The goal of this project is to expand the existing program, "Making Connections at Suffolk: Your Home Away From Home," by offering more opportunities for international students to come together, meet one another, and, by utilizing a consultant, participate in a facilitated support group. International students, new to Suffolk, often feel lonely and isolated with few opportunities to talk about their experiences, whether missing home, adjusting to the New England weather, or problems with roommates. With a grant, this project will increase the number of meetings from once a semester to once or twice a month. During seven luncheon discussions, led by a consultant, international students will be able to share their feelings and experiences at Suffolk and in Boston. The Center hopes to include 15-20 students together at these luncheons, providing them with more resources to help them sustain their well-being.

Samaritan Award - Recognition Certificate

Project Awareness: The Disabilities and Depression Link

By: Assistant Dean of Students, Chris Giordano and Graduate Fellow in the Dean of Students Office, Jennifer Droney

The goal of this project is to increase awareness of the correlation between depression and disabilities on the Suffolk University campus. A review of various neuropsychological and psycho educational evaluations, psychological assessments and individualized education plans indicates that a significant percentage of current Suffolk students have either dual diagnoses (i.e., physical or learning disability and depression) or symptoms of depression as a result of their disability. The project will target these students and educate them about issues of depression, how it may relate to their disability, and what resources exist, both on campus and in the greater Boston community. In addition, the project team will develop a "disability" website and a Disability Awareness Day during Unity Week to increase awareness throughout the Suffolk Community. Lastly the Office plans to work with faculty to identify students who may be at risk. Combining education, outreach and awareness activities, faculty and students will learn more about the possible link between disabilities and depression.

Sponsored by ADAPT
(Action for Depression Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment)