Mental health challenges can sometimes make performing daily activities incredibly difficult for college students. Cooking and eating a meal can feel like an impossible task if you are having trouble getting out of bed.
While studying for my Masters in Public Health at Cornell University, I wanted to create something that would bridge mental health and physical health. I chose to create a cookbook that combines easy-to-make, healthy recipes with mental health tips and encouragement. The result is Recipes to Make When You Reeaally Don’t Feel Like Cooking, which I produced for The Sophie Fund.
Filled with nutritious, heart-warming recipes submitted by fellow Cornell students, the cookbook is designed to support students in preparing and eating healthy meals during periods of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. (Of course, the recipes are good for all students regardless of the current state of their mental health!)
Recipes to Make was made possible with the help of all the Cornell students who kindly shared their recipes and the incredible support from mentors who guided me along the way. I’m deeply grateful for everyone’s willingness to participate in this project, whether it be through a recipe submission or a piece of advice.
I would love to see my Cornell peers engage with the cookbook by trying out the recipes, sharing their own favorite recipes with friends, or even submitting a recipe themselves for future editions! I hope that when Cornell students use this cookbook, they remember that they are not alone in their experience and that they think of each recipe as a sign of support from a fellow student.
—By Emily Lui
Emily Lui is a 2026 graduate of Cornell Public Health’s Master of Public Health program.
To mark National Suicide Prevention Month in September, The Sophie Fund is publishing a booklet highlighting the considerable efforts taken to save lives in Tompkins County over the past decade.
Healthcare leaders speaking at a suicide prevention town hall, 2023
Leaders from healthcare, behavioral health, government agencies, and concerned nonprofits have come together to upgrade suicide prevention practices, train practitioners, and educate the public about suicide risk factors and warning signs. It is a sustained, community-wide mission.
The booklet will be distributed at “Rooted in Action: Innovative Approaches for Rural Suicide Prevention,” the annual New York State Suicide Prevention Conference being held this year in Ithaca on September 29-30.
If you or someone you know feels the need to speak with a mental health professional, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741.
Among the steps taken in Tompkins County:
—In the 2017 Watershed Declaration, healthcare leaders pledged to “intensify efforts toward saving lives and bringing hope to those struggling with suicide thoughts or affected by suicide loss.”
—Stakeholders formed the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition in 2018, adopting a strategic plan guided by a vision “for a community where no lives are lost to suicide” and using data, science, and collaborations to implement effective strategies.
Formation of the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition, 2017
—The Coalition hosted two community town halls, “How Healthcare Helps Prevent Suicides,” and “Youth Mental Health & Wellness.”
—The Coalition launched the “Tompkins County Suicide Care Pathway Initiative” in 2025, bringing together hospitals, campus health centers, behavioral health clinics, and crisis responders to map and improve support and continuity of care across health sectors.
—Community nonprofits created the annual “Mental Health Support and Suicide Prevention for Schools in Tompkins County,” a booklet of information and resources, and distributed more than 200 copies to school personnel.
—The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Central New York chapter organized annual “Out of the Darkness” walks in the community and on the campus of Cornell University.
“Out of the Darkness” Walk at Cornell University, 2024
—AFSP, NAMI Finger Lakes, Mental Health Association, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service, and The Sophie Fund provided a robust array of suicide and mental health care trainings and support services including help hotlines.
—The Coalition launched an initiative to promote the Zero Suicide Model in the community’s healthcare systems; and top healthcare leaders formed the Tompkins County Zero Suicide Steering Committee in to implement the model within and across healthcare systems.
Launch of the Tompkins County Zero Suicide Steering Committee, 2022
—Cayuga Health and Tompkins County Whole Health embarked on Zero Suicide implementation plans.
—The Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service expanded its 988 call center staff from five to 42, expanded its coverage area to a total of 17 counties, and added call lines for LGBTQ+ and non-crisis emotional support.
Scott MacLeod, co-founder of The Sophie Fund, said that his organization was grateful for Tompkins County’s advances in suicide prevention, but added that there was no room for complacency.
“People of all ages, including students on local college campuses, are dying by suicide in Tompkins County,” he said. “Nationwide, suicide remains the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-24.” He noted that the Coalition’s Suicide Care Pathway Initiative in 2025 showed numerous gaps in local suicide care, a need for more training in suicide prevention treatment protocols, and greater fidelity in the use of those protocols.
“We need continuous efforts to educate ourselves about risk factors and warning signs, to encourage people who are struggling to seek help, and to see suicide prevention best practices implemented by all providers. National Suicide Prevention Month is a call to action to step up the mission,” he added.
The Sophie Fund is a nonprofit organization advocating for improved mental health in Tompkins County. It was formed in 2016 in memory of Sophie Hack MacLeod, a Cornell University student who died by suicide that year.
If you or someone you know feels the need to speak with a mental health professional, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741.
When a child is struggling, the people who love them most may not realize how much they are hurting or know what to say. Join youth suicide prevention expert Jonathan B. Singer, PhD, LCSW, for practical guidance on recognizing the signs, starting difficult conversations, and helping a child feel heard and supported.
In this presentation, attendees will learn how to:
*See the common risk factors and warning signs, even when a child appears to be doing well.
*Say the right words to ask directly about suicide with calm and confidence.
*Support a struggling child in a way that helps them feel heard, believed, and less alone.
This event is intended for parents and caregivers of children in grades K–12, as well as educators and school professionals who support young people.
[The Sophie Fund expresses its gratitude to The Wellness Institute, a division of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, for providing free access to this presentation for the Tompkins County community.]
Bitter fights over politics and culture. Conflicts in the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. Anxiety over everything from climate change and public health to personal financial pressures. Not to mention the pressures of passing courses and making friends on campus. And finding a job after graduation!
McGraw Tower, Cornell University
These are very stressful times for today’s college students. They require parents to fully grasp the serious mental health challenges their students may face and be equipped to provide support.
Did you know that the majority of college students today meet the criteria for at least one mental health problem? Or that college counseling centers are often overwhelmed?
The Sophie Fund publishes its annual “A Parent’s Guide to College Student Mental Health” to help parents—especially those whose children are attending college in Ithaca—better understand the challenges and how to deal with them.
The guide curates key resources about student mental health and lists support services on campus and in the Ithaca community. It also includes advice from local mental health experts, college administrators, current and former students, and parents of students who have dealt with psychological challenges in college.
Rates of depression and anxiety are high among college students. In fact, many students carry suicidal thoughts. Sexual assault is prevalent among college students. Hazing violence as an initiation rite at fraternities and some student organizations is a serious problem.
All of these factors pose even greater risks for students who arrive on campus with a mental health or substance use disorder.
“It’s crucial for parents to understand potential signs of distress, and how to foster trust and open communication to support their child during this period of transition,” said Sigrid Pechenik, former associate director of Cornell University’s Counseling & Psychological Services.
“It’s never too early to start a conversation, do not wait until mid or late semester. Recognize symptoms beyond expected adjustment, such as changes in mood and behavior, academic struggles, social withdrawal, changes in communication, and/or loss of interest in things that they used to enjoy.”
Failure to understand these realities of college student life today, and to help with issues that may arise, can lead to serious consequences.
When parents do fully grasp the scope of the challenges, they are more attuned to how their student is handling the major life transition from home to college. Parents especially need to understand the risk factors and warning signs for a mental health crisis, and how to support their student if they should exhibit cause for concern.
Help can range from staying connected with moral support and positive encouragement to evaluating and navigating mental health treatment options at the college counseling center, in the community, or back home during a health leave of absence.
Our plea to parents: Even if you think you don’t need it, download and review the guide, and keep it close at hand during your student’s college years and beyond.
College campuses in the Ithaca area are buzzing with the return of students for the 2026-27 school year. Excitement is in the air as they reconnect with classmates and meet new friends.
Unfortunately, for many students collegiate life comes with the threat of sexual and relationship violence. Each year, between the months of August through November, instances of sexual violence at universities in the United States increase drastically.
This season is known as the “red zone,” beginning at the start of the fall semester and lasting through Thanksgiving break. More than 50 percent of college sexual assaults happen during this time, when new students are especially vulnerable as they adjust to their new environment and social circles, according to the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN).
Sexual violence does not cease as the “red zone” ends in December, so continued awareness is crucial. RAINN reports that more than a quarter of college undergraduate women “experience rape or sexual assault involving physical force, violence, or incapacitation.”
The Advocacy Center of Tompkins County and The Sophie Fund partner each year to create Be Safe at College, a simple flyer highlighting key resources to cultivate safer campuses, support sexual violence survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable. Upload it to your phone, pin a copy to your bulletin board, or hang up the flyeracross campus.
Information about how to find resources can feel daunting, especially if you or someone you know has experienced the immense trauma of sexual violence.
The Advocacy Center’s Campus Resource Hub (linked through the QR codes) is updated to reflect current contact information, support resources, data, and more—unique to Ithaca College, Cornell University, and Tompkins Cortland Community College.
“My hope is that students can feel empowered by both the knowledge they gain from these tools as well as confidence in the skills they already possess,” said Alex Kabat, the Campus Educator at the Advocacy Center.
“For many college students, coming to campus can be the first time they are living on their own. You deserve to have fun, enjoy new experiences, and immerse yourself into who you want to become. You also deserve safety, respect, and care. Remember: sexual violence is never a victim or survivor’s fault and support is available.”
In her role as Campus Educator, Kabat provides trauma-informed education, connection to resources, and dedication to support at each local college campus. She also provides programs, print materials, interactive tabling opportunities, and more. For any inquiries, email Alex directly: akabat@actompkins.org.
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