Second Annual Mental Health Symposium at Andrews

Focuses on impacts of artificial intelligence and social media

The symposium brought together students, faculty and professionals for presentations, discussions and hands-on activities. (Photo by Victor O'Dala)

From Sept. 10–13, the second annual Thrive: Andrews University Mental Health & Lifestyle Medicine Symposium took place. Coordinated by the University’s Counseling & Testing Center (CTC) in partnership with the College of Health & Human Services and the Lifestyle Medicine Clinic & Training Center, the symposium brought together students, faculty and professionals for presentations, discussions and hands-on activities focused on mental health, lifestyle medicine and whole-person well-being.

Following the inaugural 2025 symposium, themed “Building a Mental Health Friendly Campus,” this year’s theme of “AI, Social Media and Implications for Mental Health & Lifestyle Medicine” examined the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), smartphones and social media hyperconnectivity on mental health. Sessions also explored sleep, nutrition, nature, lifestyle medicine and faith.

During the opening session, Stacey Nicely, director of the CTC, and Sherri Isaak, associate professor in the School of Population Health, Nutrition & Wellness, introduced the symposium’s themes and connection to the broader goal of helping individuals thrive. Nicely highlighted the symposium’s focus on artificial intelligence, mental health and lifestyle medicine, saying, “We are here to talk about AI, to talk about mental health, to talk about lifestyle medicine and making healthy lifestyle choices.” She also described the event as an opportunity to examine how people can make wise choices and thrive as technology continues to develop rapidly, potentially outpacing “our minds, our institutions and perhaps even our wisdom.”

The opening program included a student debate, “Can AI chatbots replace human therapists?” Graduate and undergraduate students examined the potential and limitations of AI in mental health care, including ethics, confidentiality, crisis recognition and human relationships. Camille Graham, graduate counseling psychology student and predoctoral intern at the CTC, emphasized, “We’re not arguing that AI can become a human therapist. We’re arguing that AI can perform some therapeutic functions.” The debate highlighted that although there is some advancement of AI in mental health care, human-to-human contact remains primary and crucial.

Additional sessions explored the responsible use of AI, digital protection and social media hyperconnectivity. Speakers included Sam Kann, chief information officer; Harvey Burnett, chair of the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences; Michael Hess, pastor and physician; Janine Lim, dean of the Global Campus; and Karl Bailey, professor in the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences and learning officer. A live AI demonstration led by Trudean Scott-Elliott, staff therapist at the CTC, allowed participants to examine how an AI chatbot responds to emotional distress and potential crisis. Panelists asked audience members to carefully consider issues pertaining to safety, confidentiality, culture and potential pitfalls of AI use for mental health care and particularly in moments of crisis.

The symposium also addressed lifestyle and whole-person health. Ron Stout, president and chief executive officer of the Ardmore Institute of Health, and Steven Mauro, director of operations at the Ardmore Institute of Health, discussed behavioral therapy and lifestyle medicine, while Roger Seheult, associate clinical professor at the University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine, explored sleep and student well-being. Padma Tadi Uppala, professor in the School of Population Health, Nutrition & Wellness at Andrews, shared a presentation titled “Nature as Medicine,” introducing the concept of a “nature prescription” and discussing how time outdoors can support health.

On Saturday, Eric Walsh, assistant professor at UNT Health Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Seheult were interviewed by Shane Anderson, lead pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church. In the discussion, they connected mental health and lifestyle medicine with faith. Walsh discussed increasing anxiety and depression among young people and changes in technology and family life. Seheult advised “get outside,” encouraging participants to spend time outdoors.

The symposium concluded with hands-on sessions addressing nutrition, technology and nature. Throughout the event, presenters encouraged participants to view mental health through physical, cognitive, social and spiritual dimensions. Nicely expressed hope that attendees would leave “a lot more aware” and with “more tools to help you live responsibly, choose wisely and make healthy lifestyle choices.”

The Thrive: Andrews University Mental Health & Lifestyle Medicine Symposium will return in 2027, focusing on college anxiety, strategies and interventions to cope well.