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.
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.]
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.
The 4th annual Better Together for Mental Health event celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month took place on May 9 at Ithaca’s Stewart Park. It featured free food and massages; face painting, book giveaways, and carousel rides for kids; and dozens of information tables staffed by local mental health and wellness organizations.
“Programs provided resources on available services and programs in our community, along with family friendly activities to support mental health,” said Shannon Alvord, one of the organizers. “We are grateful to the people representing these wonderful agencies, who braved the weather to meet with the community and share about these essential resources.”
Kayla Eells of Health & Unity for Greg (HUG) gave out free copies of a children’s book on behalf of the Family Reading Partnership with sponsorship from The Sophie Fund.
“Between You and Me was an incredible book to hand out because its beautiful illustrations encompass what Better Together aims to achieve, promoting inclusion, awareness, and kindness in the mental health field,” said Eells.
This year’s sponsors included: Community Foundation of Tompkins County; Cayuga Health; Guthrie; THERM; True Insurance; Dryden Mutual Insurance Co.; Friends of Greg; Health & Unity for Greg; The Sophie Fund; Tompkins Community Bank; Visions Federal Credit Union; Beginnings Credit Union; Sciarabba, Walker and Co. LLC; and Lokey Studios.
Here’s a slideshow from Better Together 2026! (Photo credits: Tompkins County Whole Health; Racker; American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Central New York)
Nearly 200 mental health champions participated in the annual fundraising walk for the Finger Lakes affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at Ithaca’s Stewart Park on May 3, surpassing the organization’s $50,000 goal for NAMI’s support and education programs.
NAMI Finger Lakes Executive Director Sandra Sorensen and friend lead the way
Thirty-eight teams and countless individuals participated in the local NAMIWalks event this year, led by Bouyant Punk which collected $6,213, Together We Walk with another $4,619, and Team Archer with $3,338. Other teams hitting the $2,000 mark included PhenomiNAMInal with $2,495, Ithacares $2,461, and Deb’s Team $2,200.
David Archer was the No. 1 individual fundraiser, with $3,288. Other top individual fundraisers included: Sandra Sorensen (NAMI Finger Lakes executive director), Jae Sullivan, Meggin Rose, Bon Chiang, Jason Hungerford, Joni Spielholz, Howard Reid, Helen Ann Yunis, and Mollie Kristof.
The event’s keynote speaker was Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo, who thanked NAMI for helping fight the social stigma around mental health.
“Those of you who know me who have heard me speak at events like this before know that I’m very open about my own mental health challenges,” Cantelmo said. “I live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. One of the most important things we can do, in addition to raising awareness, is trying to work a little harder to destigmatize mental health challenges.”
“There’s an enormous number of folks who live with them. It’s not always easy to get out of bed in the morning, but we have to make that choice every day. We have to support our loved ones and they have to do the same. I’m just so grateful. Your city is behind you, really supportive of you being out here today, doing everything you’re doing.”
Another speaker was Serena Exantus, coordinator of NAMI’s Sharing Hope program, which is designed to bring mental wellness, conversation, and an open space for the Black community.
“The reason why I got involved in this initiative is because while I was very passionate about mental health, there was a gap in the community. As people who are navigating mental wellness, we need people who look like us and understand us and where we can relate to them. And that’s what’s so great about NAMI, that they create programs that meet people where they are.”
The event involved a 1-mile walk, a 5K “fun run,” games in the Kids Zone, massages by Attuned Life, snacks, and music by DJ Anthony. NAMI and other local mental health organizations staffed information tables sharing mental health resources available in the local community.
This year’s walk included a raffle of locally donated items: massages, gift certificates for local restaurants, wine, gift baskets, Science Center tickets, Strong Museum passes, New York Mets tickets, and sporting paraphernalia from local teams.
NAMI Finger Lakes offers an array of peer-led programs that provide free education, skills training, and support for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness.
It operates a HelpLine where experienced volunteers answer calls for support and mental health resources. The number is (607) 252-6264.
According to NAMI Finger Lakes Program Manager Jason Hungerford, donations have enabled the organization to expand its programming and make a major impact over the past year. For example, NAMI has offered additional Family-to-Family mental health education classes, the Sharing Hope conversation series, and training for 60 additional first responders in NAMI’s Overwatch Peer Support.
Hungerford said that the chapter aided some 290 individuals through three unique support groups that meet twice a month. The organization has also reached more than 1,300 students and community members through mental health education and awareness presentations like Ending the Silence.
NAMI Finger Lakes is one of some 600 local affiliates of the national organization, a grassroots mental health organization founded in 1979 dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI says its mission is to educate, support, advocate, listen and lead to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones.
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