Cowboys don’t face challenges alone. When in need, the Cowboy family rallies behind one another in support.

That spirit was on full display on March 24 at the Greens Country Club in Oklahoma City — the venue for OSU’s Gather Round event.

Hosted by Karen and Mark Mitchell, the evening served to raise awareness around mental health and emphasized the growing need for resources on college campuses. The Mitchells are generous supporters of OSU and share a passion for ensuring students have access to the help they need.

The event featured remarks from OSU President Jim Hess, First Cowgirl Angela Hess, OSU Foundation President Blaire Atkinson, the Mitchells and more.

“When you walk the Cowboy way, you never walk alone,” Jim Hess said. “If students are struggling emotionally or mentally, it becomes much harder for them to thrive in the classroom or in life. That’s why student mental health and wellness is one of our top priorities.”

Students are at the heart of The Code Calls, OSU’s $2 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign, and mental health is a critical piece of the charge.

At OSU alone, 45.6% of students reported having been diagnosed with at least one mental illness. OSU Counseling Services has seen an 8% increase since this time last year. At a time where the need for resources has never been greater, The Code Calls on the OSU community for support.

In the spirit of the Cowboy Code, the Cowboys Care initiative represents doing what’s right and following through for each other. It brings campus together to normalize these conversations, reduce stigma and make mental wellness a priority by meeting students where they are.

Angela Hess has spearheaded the movement, which has quickly gained momentum throughout the student body. Since November, 320 students, faculty and staff have completed training to become Cowboys Care ambassadors.

OSU also plays a critical role in addressing the increasing demand for mental health professionals across Oklahoma, one of the nation’s many states facing a mental health crisis.

With psychology as its largest academic department, the university is helping prepare the next generation of counselors, clinicians and mental health leaders through hands‑on learning, research and clinical experiences that serve both students and communities.

Scholarship support is essential to that mission, making it possible for more students to achieve their dreams and make a difference. Through The Code Calls, OSU invites supporters to invest in student success, mental wellness and long‑term solutions that extend far beyond campus.

Hensley Kidd is one student who has been positively impacted by scholarships and mental health resources at OSU.  A junior psychology major, she struggled with anxiety and grief of lost loved ones after arriving in Stillwater, but is now thriving thanks to the OSU community and plans to pursue her master’s in clinical mental health.

“The resources and people at OSU helped me work through ways to cope with my grief and come out of my shell on campus,” Kidd said. “I’ve found an amazing group of friends and truly feel at home. I’m grateful for those who help students at OSU, and I want to help others who have been through those same challenges.”

The Code Calls. To make a difference and support mental health at OSU, visit OSUgiving.com.