Aamna Bashir champions mental health resources for peers

For Bashir, the commitment is personal

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (10/03/2025) — “I’ve always believed mental health is just as important as physical health,” says Aamna Bashir, a third-year biomedical engineering student. “Even if you don’t have a diagnosis, everyone deserves support and the chance to thrive.”

For Bashir, the commitment is personal. Friends and loved ones have struggled with mental health challenges, and she has seen firsthand how overwhelming the pressures of the College of Science and Engineering (CSE)—demanding coursework, competitive exams, and anxiety about internships and the job market—can be. 

Now serving as College of Science and Engineering Student Board’s Mental Health Director, she is channeling that passion into action.

Hear Aamna Bashir share why she's leading the effort to strengthen mental health at CSE. 

Meeting students where they are

The challenges are real. Incoming undergraduate and transfer student surveys for Fall 2025, show that nearly half of new CSE students worry about managing their mental health, sleep, or finances before they even arrive on campus. Once classes begin, test anxiety, stress management, and time pressure quickly rise to the surface.

“When you study for hours and still don’t see the results you hoped for, it can shake your belief in yourself,” Bashir explains. 

Progress already underway

The CSE Student Mental Health Fund is helping close the gap between student need and available support. In the past year, the fund supported two student wellness groups—a Relationship Skills Group and a Dungeons & Dragons group for neurodivergent students. Each met weekly for 10 weeks and offered students a safe space to connect, learn, and grow together.

One student reflected:

“This group made Tuesday night one of the highlights of my week. In its supportive environment, I found it much easier to enjoy the benefits of social connection without feeling drained or embarrassed afterward.”

The fund also enabled the college to bring in a Master of Social Work intern, whose expertise in mental health complemented the work of the Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Wellness Advocacy and academic advisors. Advisors say the difference was transformative:

“Before the program, we were wearing multiple hats and trying to address mental health needs beyond our scope. With this infrastructure in place, students are cared for—and advisors can focus on guiding their academic journey.”

What’s next: The care corner

This year, with the support of the CSE Mental Health Fund, the Care Corner is launching as a “take what you need” resource space—an initiative designed to grow with continued support. 

Unlike a pantry focused only on food, the Care Corner will address a wide range of student needs. Shelves will be stocked with:

• Hygiene essentials like soap, shampoo, and deodorant
  
  
• Quick meals and snacks for students short on time or money
  
  
• Home and health basics such as contact solution, dish soap, sponges, toilet paper, and feminine care products
  
  

“Knowing you can grab a meal replacement, a notebook, or even a fresh shirt for an interview can make all the difference,” says Bashir. “It’s about dignity and support. No one should feel like basic needs are standing in the way of their education.”

The Care Corner will soft-launch this fall, with a full rollout scheduled for the spring. And it’s only possible because of CSE alumni and friends who have already stepped in to help seed the CSE Student Mental Health Fund. As the fund grows, future support will expand what’s offered and ensure every student who needs it can count on it.

Why it matters

As enrollment grows, so does the demand for resources. Surveys show that nearly half of CSE students are concerned about managing mental health—and a large percentage also worry about food insecurity and finances.

That’s why students like Bashir are stepping forward. And it’s why the CSE Student Mental Health Fund is so vital: it bridges today’s need with tomorrow’s possibility.

“College is where we build the foundation for our futures,” Bashir says. “Investing in mental health now makes it easier for students to succeed here — and later on in the world.”

You can support students

Support students' well-being with a gift to the CSE Student Mental Health Fund.