Managing Student Mental Health at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

A white paper (PDF) on managing student mental health on campus was published today providing an additional resource to help inform the national dialogue on this topic. The National Center for Campus Public Safety partnered with the Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Law Enforcement Executives and Administrators to facilitate an emerging issues forum on July 12, 2016 that included 38 campus public safety executives and professionals from 28 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in 14 states. The purpose of the forum was to identify challenges and potential solutions, including available resources, to assist the HBCU community in preventing, responding to, and recovering from incidents involving students experiencing mental health concerns.

Results of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors 2015 Annual Survey (PDF) confirm that "anxiety continues to be the most predominant and increasing concern among college students (47.3%), followed by depression (40.1%), relationship concerns (32.5%), suicidal ideation (20.2%), self-injury (12.8%), and alcohol abuse (10.6%)." Findings from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health 2015 Annual Report (PDF) indicate that while "many aspects of college student mental health have actually been stable over the past five years ... a subgroup of mental health variables have demonstrated worrisome increases ... making it clear that some specific aspects of college students' mental health are changing and in need of focused consideration."

 

These findings indicate the importance of having effective and comprehensive student mental health programs and services on campus. Many institutions of higher education (IHEs) are facing substantial challenges in meeting this demand. Those challenges, in turn, have many IHEs re-evaluating their services to prevent and intervene in incidents involving persons with mental health concerns. Participants explored these challenges during the forum and the following findings became apparent as a result of the discussion:  

The  Managing Student Mental Health at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (PDF) forum report provides background information on student mental health, an overview of the discussion of challenges, recommendations, and an appendix of resources for institutions of higher education.  

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and law enforcement officials have noted an increase in electronic jamming activity in recent years. Although federal law prohibits the operation, manufacture, sale, marketing, importation, distribution, or shipment of jamming equipment, these devices are inexpensive and relatively easy to obtain from foreign manufacturers. Electronic jamming can intentionally, or unintentionally, interfere with responder communications equipment - leaving responders without vital communications and/or critical situational awareness, delay emergency response times, escalate hazardous situations, result in loss of life, or facilitate illicit activities. Overall, jamming devices pose a threat to local and national security, leaving first responders vulnerable.

 

The DHS Science and Technology Directorate and the FCC jointly released two products about the use of jamming technology, its potential effect on public safety, and steps being taken towards identifying and combatting electronic jamming threats:  

Electronic jamming is a significant threat to first responder and public safety communications and should be taken seriously. DHS will share updated information as it becomes available, including additional details on threats, mitigation strategies, and technologies.  To learn more about the 2016 First Responder Electronic Jamming Exercise or the planned 2017 follow-on exercise, contact [email protected] . 

NOVA Campus Advocacy Training Academy: Scholarships Available for Victim Advocates from Community Colleges

The National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) is offering a limited number of scholarships to victim advocates serving at community colleges who wish to attend the Winter 2017 NOVA Campus Advocacy Training (NCAT). The NCAT is a 20-hour distance learning training for campus victim advocates. The six-week NCAT academy provides participants with advanced training in preventing and responding to sexual assault, stalking, and interpersonal violence in higher education. The next session will run from January 18 through February 22, 2017 and class will be held every Wednesday from 12:00pm - 3:00pm ET.