More than a quarter of all University of Minnesota students reported being diagnosed with at least one mental health condition in their lifetime, according to Boynton Health Service’s 2010 College Student Health Survey.

In the face of such mental health statistics, students gathered Tuesday on the Washington Avenue Bridge for the University of Minnesota’s third annual Mental Health Awareness Day.

Though their interests ranged from building houses to practicing yoga, seven student groups and nine off-campus groups united to spread awareness, educate passersby about mental health and remember those who have committed suicide.

The event also included meditation, discussion, art, music and professional speakers.

Boynton spokesman Dave Golden said he was very pleased to see students unite.

“It’s such a critical issue on campus,” he said. “It’s so good to see the high level of awareness that’s going on.”

While last year’s event focused on a display of 1,100 chairs representing the number of college students who commit suicide nationwide each year, this year’s event focused on education and relaxation, said communications senior Danika Hunt.

Among the involved groups was the Art of Living Club, a student group that practices free yoga each week.

“Students have a lot of stress in their life,” graduate student Sandeep Fadnavis said. “Yoga really helps — you can be mentally and physically fit at the same time.”

This year’s focus on education addresses a misunderstanding of mental health and how to treat it, said Hunt, president of Active Minds — one of the event’s organizers.

“I think it’s something that people don’t understand,” she said.

“A lot of times people don’t see it as an illness because they don’t see it.”