Cards, Candy Used to Reach Out

When Merritt R. Baer ’06 suffered a personal tragedy in her freshman year, she would have wanted to know other students cared during her tough time.

So this spring, she founded Harvard Students in Touch, a group that delivers small care packages to students in distress. Any student can e-mail with the name of a person they are concerned about, and within days, the group’s small staff will drop candy and a card in that person’s door box. The sender remains confidential to the receiver.

“The idea is that you could just see someone in the dining hall looking sad and even if it isn’t someone you know personally, you could send an e-mail with their name,” Baer said. “You don’t have to list a reason. The fact that it is confidential is important. We understand personal issues are personal.”

The group, which is independent of any other campus counseling group, started taking requests last weekend. According to Baer, it has received 31 requests since Sunday.

The staff of three will make the first door drops this weekend, leaving sweets and personalized cards that read “Harvard Students Care” in large bold letters. The card also lists the phone numbers of Room 13 and the Bureau of Study Counsel, as well as the location of Room 13, in case the student wants to seek out future help.

Dr. Paul J. Barreira, the director of University Counseling, Academic Support, and Mental Health Services, said he feels that Harvard Students in Touch service may increase students’ perception of belonging to a supportive community.

“To the extent that students report they feel lonely and disconnected, this is one way to reach out,” he said.

Barreira praised the organization for letting students know that they are cared about without getting too involved.

“What’s great about this effort is that it is a student-initiated effort,” he said. “I like the fact that it’s just normative—everybody likes to get the feeling that someone notices and cares about them.”

Matthew K. Nock, an assistant professor of psychology who is teaching a seminar on self-destructive behavior in the spring, said there is precedent for efforts like those of Students in Touch to improve mental health.

According to Nock, Jerome Motto, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, found surprising results in a 1976 study of patients who attempted suicide. The control group received no follow up after they were discharged, while the experimental group was sent postcards every six months that simply expressed interest in the person’s welfare. Those that received the follow-up cards were far less likely to commit suicide.

“This is among the only studies to show a reduction in suicide rates,” Nock said.

After receiving an e-mail advertising Student in Touch, Lauren C. Gilmore ’05 replied with the name of a friend.

“I thought my friend was stressed out so I said ‘Why not?’” Gilmore said. “It’s really easy.”

In the spring, the organization applied for funding from the Undergraduate Council and received an $80 grant. Its application for a further $200 is still pending.

“We’re just going to have to go through the grant cycle continuously,” Baer said. “They’re really supportive. It’s as much for them as it is for every student on campus.”

Charlotte L. Kemper ’07 said she looks forward to volunteering for the group.

“Putting together care packages is something I really enjoy doing for my friends—this way I get to do it for other people too,” she said.

Nock pointed out that while the experience of Harvard students is different from that of the patients in the psychology study, he still had hopes.

“This might have an effect,” he said.

The group’s e-mail address is harvardstudentsintouch@yahoo.com.