Mission Moment Article 14

Meet Positive Norm 

On the surface, he's a goose. But on Oakland University's campus, Positive Norm is a conversation starter with a serious mission: helping students see that they're not the only ones feeling stressed, tired, or unsure. Part of the Alliance's work with the OU community, Norm promotes mental health and substance misuse prevention by sharing what's actually true about student life, and the truth is more hopeful than most students expect. We sat down with Norm to hear more. 

"Geese notice when someone in the flock is struggling," Norm says. "College is a big transition, and a lot of students feel like they're the only one having a hard time. I'm here to remind them they're not."

A name with a purpose

Norm's name isn't just a pun, though he'll happily take credit for it. It comes from the social norms approach used in the Alliance's prevention work at Oakland University: the idea that people tend to misjudge what their peers are really thinking, feeling, and doing.

"Students often assume everyone else has it figured out, when most of their peers are stressed, tired, or unsure too," he explains. "Sharing what's actually true on campus makes it easier to talk about. Also, Norm is a great name for a goose."

The gap between assumption and reality is where he does his best work. We surveyed OU students and found that, 83% of Oakland students want their friends to let them know if they are feeling depressed of anxious. "The real numbers are more hopeful than the assumption," Norm says. "Many think they're the only one feeling overwhelmed, or that asking for help is unusual."

And that matters, because of what belief does to behavior. "When you think everyone else is fine, you hide what you're feeling. When you learn it's common, you feel less alone and more willing to reach out. That shift can happen in one conversation."

What Norm honks when it counts

If a student is having a rough week, Norm's first move is simple. "'You're not behind, and you're not alone.' Then I'd point them to campus counseling center. Reaching out is one of the strongest things you can do."

For the students who haven't told anyone, he keeps the bar low. "Start with one person: a friend, an RA, a professor, a counselor. You don't need perfect words. 'I haven't felt like myself lately’ is enough."

Norm doesn't shy away from the connection between stress and substance use, either. "Stress and substance use are often connected, and the same social norms idea applies: most students are making healthier choices than their peers assume. But the bigger goal is helping students feel okay asking for help, whatever they're dealing with."

The flock is ready

Here's the part Norm is proudest of: 94% of OU students would support a friend seeking mental health resources.

It's the positive norm in action. Most students are already willing to show up for each other. They just don't always know their peers feel the same way.

So Norm's ask of students is small but powerful. "Check in, and mean it. Ask 'how are you really doing?' and be ready to listen. You don't have to fix anything. Being present counts."

And his ask of the wider community? "Talk openly about mental health, share the real numbers with the young people in your life, and support programs like this one. The Alliance and its coalition partners make this work possible."

Follow Norm, @thepositivenorm on Instagram to see where he waddles next.