Meet Julia and Ariana: Leading with Empathy During Mental Health Awareness Month
For seniors Julia Feibusch and Ariana Villa, Mental Health Awareness Month at Pitt is about more than awareness—it’s about connection, compassion, and creating a culture where every student feels supported. Julia and Ariana serve as Vice Chairs of the Student Government Board’s Wellness Committee, where they help organize programming that promotes mental health and wellbeing across campus.
Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to “destigmatize mental health and connect students to the resources and community that everyone deserves access to,” says Julia, a History major on the pre-medical track. She added that more people should know that “mental health conditions are real and treatable.”
Ariana, who studies Economics, International Studies, and History, shares a similar passion for promoting wellness through her role. “My favorite part of being on the committee is meeting students from all different backgrounds and working together toward a shared goal,” she says. “Even when everyone contributes in different ways, it’s really inspiring to see how much collective passion there is for making campus a healthier and more supportive space.”
Both Julia and Ariana cite the Send Silence Packing exhibit as one of their most meaningful experiences at Pitt. Julia, who helped photograph the event, says, “Seeing students reflect and support one another reminded me how important it is to create space for these conversations on campus.” Ariana agrees: “It’s such a powerful and emotional event. It shows the impact of open conversations around mental health.”
When it comes to this year’s events, both students encourage everyone to attend the Mental Health Awareness Month Fair on October 31 from 2–6 p.m. on the Cathedral Lawn. “It’s a great way to learn more about campus resources, grab some food, and connect with the community in a really fun and welcoming space,” says Ariana.
Ariana’s background in economics has helped her think critically about how to make wellness programming more effective. “Economics teaches you how different investments can lead to different outcomes,” she explains. She goes on to say that this connects to how programs like Mental Health Awareness Month are designed. “I’ve applied the mindset to understand what motivates students to engage with wellness initiatives and how we can make initiatives more inclusive.”
For Julia, her history studies have instilled empathy at the heart of her work. “One of my professors described history as the study of empathy, an idea which has really stayed with me,” she says. “…studying history has really shaped how I interact with others and approach my work with the Wellness Committee.”
Their shared message to Pitt students: you are not alone. “Please reach out and talk to someone,” Julia says. Ariana adds, “I wish everyone knew that mental health is not always visible. You never know what someone is going through, so showing compassion, to others and yourself, can make a huge difference.”
