Colleges can take a number of practical steps to support mental health and cultivate a positive learning environment.
Not all college students are aware of campus resources, and not all feel comfortable accessing mental health services even when they know those services are available. Universities can be proactive about these issues by focusing on raising awareness of college mental health services, which can also help destigmatize mental healthcare.
It’s ideal to raise awareness right from the start of a student’s college years. Trained staff members can educate first-year students during orientation sessions about the importance of mental wellness and the availability of campus resources. Universities may also print resources directly on student ID cards.
Universities can encourage students to regularly check on their mental health by offering easily accessible mental health screenings. Some schools are even installing mental health checkup kiosks, where students can complete a brief questionnaire and receive information about mental health resources. Other schools are implementing online screenings.6
Some universities may offer in-person mental health programs to students, while others may offer online self-help courses. Online self-help courses can cover important topics ranging from healthy stress management to adjusting to the campus environment. They can also educate students about issues like insomnia and healthy practices like mindfulness.
Mental health counseling is essential to a university’s student support resources. Ideally, there should be sufficient mental health counselors on campus to serve the entire campus population so that students experiencing severe distress do not have to wait too long for an appointment. Mental health counselors can help students talk through their troubles, learn coping strategies and turn negative behavioral patterns into positive ones. Most professionals in this field hold a master’s degree in mental health counseling or a related discipline, which provides the training needed to support student well-being.
A mental health task force can benefit the entire school community. Universities that create a mental health task force are taking a proactive approach to identifying potential areas of need and working toward solutions that directly benefit students. The mental health task force can serve as a coordinating body for positive change and a liaison between the mental health resources department and the school management team.
Even with increased awareness of campus resources, not all students may be willing to use those services. Some students might not be willing to admit they need help; others may find themselves confiding in a trusted professor or staff member instead. It can be helpful for universities to offer training programs to faculty and staff members on recognizing and responding to mental health crises.
