Personal Counseling at CUNY: An Analysis CUNY Division of Student Affairs Amy Daley CUNY Clinical Psychology Research Fellow April 17, 2008

Why look at counseling centers? VA Tech and other campus tragedies highlight the need:  to identify students who need help  to make help available as quickly and effectively as possible

A New Era for University Counseling Students under medication Students with more severe illness American Disabilities Act 8.5% of enrolled students sought counseling nationwide (National Survey of Counseling Center Directors 2007)

Research

Research: Data Collection The Central Office of Student Affairs has undertaken the task of studying the counseling centers on each campus.  Fall 2007 – implemented Medical Withdrawal Policy  Fall 2007 – surveyed 20 CUNY counseling center directors on mental health issues  Spring 2008 – collected evaluations of new CUNY clinical psychology fellowship program  Spring 2008 – surveyed Public Safety and Counseling staff on crisis management policy

Research Results Historical Structure Academic Counseling Personal Counseling

Research Results Actual Interplay Mental Healthcare Student Affairs Medical Healthcare Public Safety Office of Disability Services Academic Counseling

Research Results Crisis Management Survey Gaps in communication regarding students of concern  For example, counseling center may not inform Student Affairs about voluntary hospitalizations due to concerns over confidentiality Respondents rated knowledge about crisis management poorly relative to other ratings  knowledge of who is managing crisis: 3.88 out of 5  clarity of crisis management procedure: 3.79 out of 5  getting timely information about crisis: 3.78 out of 5

Research Results Crisis Management Survey Following up with students who are at risk was a concern.  set student requirements such as counseling: 3.86 out of 5  enforce requirements are met before readmit: 3.75 out of 5  share such information with other depts: 3.40 out of 5  share information if student transfers: 3.42 out of 5

Research Results Crisis Management Survey Public Safety4.62 out of 5 Student Affairs4.35 out of 5 Counseling Center4.05 out of 5 Health Services4.00 out of 5 Disability Services3.94 out of 5 Faculty3.17 out of 5 Overall Performance during Crisis Please assess how well a crisis is managed on your campus by each of the following departments:

Counseling Director Survey: Problems with Referral Process?

Counseling Director Survey: Referral concern # 1 - Financial burden

Counseling Director Survey: Referral Concern #2 - Follow Up

Analysis

Analysis Stages in Student Care One student’s path can be broken down into 5 stages IdentifyDiagnose Treat Refer Out Follow Up

Analysis Stage 1: Identify Increase training to “front-line” staff: Kognito pilot Explore self-identification at registration Could we develop an Intervention Team?

Analysis Remaining Stages: some ideas Stage 2: Diagnose  Have Counseling Center inform Intervention Team of all hospitalizations Stage 3: Treat  Standardize quality/duration of options across campuses Stage 4: Refer out  Address issues with affordability and follow-up Stage 5: Follow Up  Address concerns with confidentiality  Explore Fit-to-Return option

Analysis Increasing the Clinical Component Clinical Psychology Fellowship Program began 2007 Joint effort  Student Affairs (VC Garrie Moore)  CUNY Clinical Psychology doctoral program (Dr. Elliot Jurist)  Graduate Center (VP Matt Schoengood) Meets the needs of both our students and our centers  Overall rating by supervisors: 4.5 out of 5  Overall rating by fellows: 4.25 out of 5 Enhances the clinical side of the counseling centers

Summary – Key Points Form CUNY-wide task force to engage on this topic led by a senior official Create intervention team at each campus with members from key departments such as Student Affairs, Counseling, Public Safety, Disability Services, Faculty Address issues in each stage of student care: Identify, Diagnose, Treat, Refer, Follow Up