This article originally appeared in the Resolutions print issue, in stands February 2026. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
The word is out: 2026 is the new 2016. However, students need not rely on nostalgia alone to get their spiritual and emotional fill, as religiosity offers relief sweeter than a Snapchat filter. In setting their New Year’s resolutions, University of Utah students should seek out and attend one of the many exceptional religious resources located on campus.
Religiosity inspires intentional living
Gen Z is in a mental health crisis. The World Economic Forum found in 2023 that Gen Z is 83% more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and 86% more likely to experience depression than previous generations. The U has even opened a walk-in mental health clinic, one of the first of its kind for a college campus, precisely to address these rising needs.
Religious involvement is an incubator for personal growth. President Sam Straight, Stake President of the young single adult stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the U, said the Church prioritizes personal progress in its members. “One of the great emphases of the church is that we need to develop ourselves, our souls, our minds, our bodies, our whole person,” Straight said. “We believe that adding the component of divine assistance accelerates your self-improvement, if you do it sincerely and humbly.”
Spiritual and religious activity mediates positive outcomes in students’ lives and combats specific mental health issues like depression. “We firmly believe [that] because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can improve every day, and we’re not a prisoner to things that we’ve done in the past,” Straight said. “We can overcome those.”
Serving fellow beings, serving God
Religious institutions on campus facilitate community service activities. Volunteering, especially from an early age, has been linked with positive mental health effects.
Rabbi Moshe Nigri, Director of Chabad at the U, explained that service is good for the soul. “One of the main commandments [of Judaism] actually [is:] if you love God, but don’t love people, what is it worth?”, Rabbi Moshe said. “We give [people] opportunities to be part of service [at Chabad] and bring joy to people in need.”
Chabad, Intervarsity, Interfaith, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and the Service Committee at the Institute of Religion all welcome student participation in service activities.
MSA Vice President Abshiro Hussein explained that service in Islam means helping your brothers, sisters and neighbors in need. “Last year during the month of Ramadan, we packaged food for [communities] in need,” Hussein said. “You don’t have to be Muslim to join the club … we’re welcome to everybody.”
Another particularly unique resource is the JustServe app, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which connects students with local opportunities to serve their local communities.
No more strangers, but fellow citizens
Participating in religion in your college days provides an opportunity for community and communion with others on the same path. “If Jewish students are not feeling well, we deliver matza ball soup, the best medicine you’re going to have,” Rabbi Moshe said. “It’s about showing them they have a family over here.”
As of 2022, 68% of Gen Z considered themselves religious, and 77% considered themselves spiritual. While previous generations have drifted from organized religion, Gen Z has bucked trends of religious decline as conversion numbers grow.
As Gen Z grows in its willingness to talk about mental health, so too should it be open in sharing its spiritual convictions with others. “We’re inviting people,” Straight said of the church. “We’re inviting them to come and see, come and stay, come and serve, come and be part of what we’re doing.”
Be more religious
Students need to know that they are never truly alone, that God lives and loves them, and desires a closer relationship with them through a deeper religious connection. Letting God prevail during the college years invites peace and precious direction at such a pivotal time.
“Sometimes things just get so heavy,” said Hussein, speaking of prayer. “So to be able to sit there, raise my hands, talk to my Lord, the tears just start rolling … as long as you go to [God], like He says, ‘you come to Me walking, I come to you running.’”
So, talk to the missionaries. Go to synagogue. Say your Friday prayers. It will not only heal your soul but also guide your life in the direction you want it to go.
