The University of St. Francis (USF) proposes the University Prevention and Outreach (UPO) Team, which seeks to establish a positive campus culture that is responsive to undergraduate student behavioral and mental health needs. The populations of focus that will be impacted by the proposed project include USF student populations who are at higher risk for mental and behavioral disorders, including substance use disorders (SUD). USF has identified racial and ethnic minorities, first-generation students, low-income students, and LGBTQ students as the most vulnerable populations on campus. The majority of USF students are commuters (76%), which creates an additional barrier for connecting students to on-campus behavioral health resources. In the first quarter of the current academic year, there were three suicide attempts and three emergency room visits related to suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, or substance use crises. Students of color, students who identify as LGBTQ, and students who are from lower-socioeconomic levels report a need to improve campus culture related to mental health.
USF will address institutional needs through the following strategies and interventions: (a) convene a core grant team including key grant personnel and on-campus teams; (b) conduct six Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings for on-campus first responders; (c) facilitate MHFA instructor training, Think Cultural Health training, and continuing education credits for the UPO Team; (d) train Student Assistance Program (SAP) coaches (interns) to use the DSM-5-TR Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure; (e) administer a Campus Climate Survey (Healthy Minds); (f) conduct student trainings, engagement, and outreach; (g) conduct monthly screenings; (h) facilitate presentations and engage student clubs; (i) host awareness campaigns; (j) engage local resource partners; and (k) conduct evidence-based cultural competency trainings. The project will serve at least 1,316 undergraduate students annually (approximately 4,000 over the grant period) through the following goals and measurable objectives:
Goal 1. Increase USF capacity to identify at-risk students and improve mental health services for all college students, including those at risk for suicide, depression, or serious mental illness (SMI)/serious emotional disturbances (SED). Objective 1.1. By Sept 2023, 100% of dedicated first responders will have trained in Mental Health First Aid. Objective 1.2. Beginning in September 2023 and repeating annually, 100% of the University Prevention and Outreach (UPO) Team will have received 10 hours of additional training per year, including continuing education credits through attendance at conferences and online trainings. Objective 1.3. By the end of the grant, USF will increase screenings of all students from 0% to 20% per year. Goal 2. Prevent and reduce suicide and mental and substance use disorders by increasing awareness of resources and creating a campus culture surrounding mental health that is culturally competent and promotes help-seeking behavior. Objective 2.1. By Spring 2023, 100% of students will be able to participate in a Campus Climate Survey to provide a baseline for students with a proclivity for help-seeking behavior and knowledge of how to have conversations regarding mental health, alcohol and substance use, and suicide with peers. Objective 2.2. By the end of the grant, 30% of students will have accessed counseling services (an increase of 20 percentage points from a baseline of 10%). Objective 2.3. By the end of the grant, 100% of the grant team and Advocate Aurora Health (AAH) staff will have completed five hours of training on cultural competency per year.