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Supporting Students with Mental Health Needs
Betsy Sheldon, SpecialistCalifornia Community Colleges Chancellor’s OfficePresentation for Academic Senate Spring Plenary
Burlingame, CAApril 16, 2010
Presentation OverviewPresentation OverviewGeneral data on mental health
needs of CCC students and systemThe Mental Health Services Act
(MHSA) and the Chancellor’s OfficeActivities to date
◦ Advisory Committee◦ Study on mental health◦ Funding and partner opportunities
Ideas and modelsWhat a few other CCCs are doingResources
College Students and Mental College Students and Mental HealthHealthAmerican College Health
Assessment (2006)*
The rate of students diagnosed with depression has increased 56% in the last 6 years
Nearly 50% of surveyed students reported feeling so depressed at times that they had trouble functioning
33% of students identify stress and 16 % identify depression or anxiety disorder as factors that effect academic performance
* data to be updated soon…
Jed Foundation (2005) The second leading cause
of death for college students is suicide
Most of the students who commit suicide were not in mental health treatment at the time
National College Depression Partnership
Significant numbers of depressed students refuse formal counseling – male student in particular
High levels dropout of counseling even if begin counseling or treatment
Student Veterans – Emerging Student Veterans – Emerging Population on CCC campusesPopulation on CCC campuses Eighteen percent (18%) of veterans returning from Afghanistan
and Iraq have PTSD or depression Nineteen percent (19%) experienced a traumatic brain injury
(TBI) while they were deployed The invisible nature of these conditions means that they are
often ignored or have a delay in onset, often resulting in service members not being identified as needing treatment.
Barriers to veterans seeking services also exist because many fear that confidentiality will be breached and career prospects threatened if they disclose mental health issues or seek services.
It is estimated that 16,000 of the 22,000 returning veterans are using their GI bill education benefits at community colleges.
Faculty who are teaching veteran students may not be aware of the symptoms of PTSD, depression, or TBI.
Most academic faculty members do not receive training on such issues and may not feel comfortable intervening when problems arise.
Other staff who may provide services to students (DSPS, counseling) may need training/informaiton about the specific needs of student veterans.
The Mental Health Services Act and The Mental Health Services Act and The Chancellor’s OfficeThe Chancellor’s Office The Mental Health Services Act (aka MHSA, and
Proposition 63) was passed by voters in November 2004
The Mental Health Services Act, or MHSA, also known as Proposition 63, was enacted by voters in November 2004
Transformation of the public mental health system in California
1% tax on taxable income in excess of $1 million. Major components and allowable activities (as defined in law):
◦ Community program planning◦ Community services and supports (CSS)◦ Capital Facilities and Information Technology◦ Education and Training Programs◦ Prevention and Early Intervention Programs (PEI)◦ Innovative Programs
Implementation of MHSAImplementation of MHSAPrimarily a local county implementation
process◦Plans are developed locally under direction
of the county mental health office and submitted to the State Dept of MH for approval and funding
State level partnerships exist with 14 state agencies including the Chancellor’s Office
CCCCO MOU with DMH to fund specialist position (me!) and support mental health activities
Major Goals of MOUMajor Goals of MOUReduce gaps in mental health services for
community college students by providing statewide support, technical assistance, and coordination between the Chancellor’s Office and Department of Mental Health (DMH) and external state and local stakeholders
Increase collaboration and coordination among on-campus programs and with county mental health to better serve students at-risk for mental health problems
Undertake efforts to reduce depression and suicide among CCC students
Assist colleges with understanding the elements of college crisis prevention and intervention
Activities To DateActivities To DateAdvisory Committee developed
◦ Membership includes representatives from the colleges, HSACCC, MHWA, CSSOs, CAPED, county mental health, the student and academic senate, veteran’s agencies and family advocates
◦Quarterly meetings Initial website developed – in
process of updating to include more resources (April 2010)
Presentations, updates, and outreach to partner organizations (CAPED, HSACCC, MHWA, Troops to College)
Mental Health Data and Mental Health Data and Studies – Specific to the Studies – Specific to the CCCs CCCs Gail Conrad from San Diego CCD is
doing a study on the CCC mental health system CCC students
Based on the National Survey of Counseling Center Directors (NSCCD) – study done on 4 year colleges and universities for 28 years
HSACCC is facilitating participation of CCCs in the ACHA◦ Initial data presented at the HSACCC
conference in March◦ Data includes mental health items
Data and findings from both of these efforts will help shape future work
Funding and Partner Funding and Partner OpportunitiesOpportunities1. Zellerbach Family Foundation Grant: Proposal submitted in partnership with the FCCC Purpose: increase awareness of the mental health
issues and needs of transition age student veterans to faculty and staff through a pilot project at three California community colleges Bay Area) and two statewide workshops for key CCC officials.
The training will provide faculty and staff with the tools to better respond to issues that emerge in the classroom and on campus, and information on where to refer them for services on campus and in the community.
Develop resource materials for faculty and staff about how to identify mental health issues of transition age student veterans.
The grant period is from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011, with a requested funding amount of $75,000 for 12 months.
Funding and Partner Funding and Partner OpportunitiesOpportunities2. At Risk Suicide Prevention gatekeeper
training for faculty (Kognito Interactive)◦ met with Ron Goldman, Kognito’s CEO to
discuss options for partnering with the CCCs◦ Invited ASCCC representative to participate
in meeting ◦ Two CCCs are already in the process of using
this training (Pasadena City and Santa Monica College)
◦ Possibly recommend for funding under Student Mental Health Initiative or other statewide project?
3. NAMI – community based resources, peer groups -- FREE!
Some Some ideas/models/approaches to ideas/models/approaches to explore…explore…National College Depression Partnership
(NCDP): West Valley and Rio Honda HSACCC and MHWA – engage with
statewide organizations for training, information, support
Community partners – county mental health, National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)
Gatekeeper training for staff, faculty – QPR (Foothill College); At-Risk (SMC, PCC)
Veteran’s Resource Center Pilot Projects
What other CCCs are doing What other CCCs are doing (a (a few examples)few examples) Assisting The Emotionally Distressed Student is a
publication from West Valley College developed for administrators, faculty, and staff.
Santa Ana College also has a document for assisting faculty in their interactions with students. This document can be found on the internet at http://www.sac.edu/Students/support_services/psychological_services/PDFs/brochureEmoDistr.pdf
Resource Guide for Serving Students with Psychological Disabilities in California Community Colleges was developed in 1991 as joint project between the Yosemite Community College District and the Chancellor’s Office, DSPS (already on webpage)
Mental Health Education Consortium at Los Angeles City College is a partnership between LACC and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Among the many resources available at this website is the document, Mental Illness: It Shouldn't Drive You Crazy!
ResourcesResourcesChancellor’s Office Web pagewww.cccco.edu
◦click on Student Services tab; then Mental Health link
◦updates coming soon (can email to access hyperlinks)
Mental Health Services Actwww.dmh.ca.gov
◦click on Prop. 63 tabList serve on mental health
Contact Information:
Betsy [email protected] or
(916)322-4004
Thank you for your time and attention!
