This student blog series explores the intersections of mental health, structural barriers, and advocacy in humanitarian contexts, including crisis settings. Six Columbia University students reflect on challenges such as silence, oversimplification, performative engagement, and systemic inequities, examining how these dynamics affect both those experiencing crises and the ways we respond. Written from a student perspective for a global audience, the pieces blend narrative, analysis, and advocacy, drawing primarily on lived experiences. The series does not speak for affected populations; rather, it explores what support, solidarity, and responsibility—including attention to mental health—look like when physical proximity is impossible. By highlighting effective programs, practices, and narratives, the students offer tangible models for action. Together, the six pieces invite readers to rethink advocacy, responsibility, and engagement strategies that are ethical, reflective, and grounded in both care and practical insight. 

This series is part of an ongoing pilot study conducted by Columbia Student Research Workers Claire Cunningham and Sara Hijer in partnership with the MHPSS Collaborative.