1. The Role of Faculty in Responding to Students in Mental Health Needs
Jessalyn Klein, PhD
David Spano, PhD
Center for Counseling and Psychological Services

2. Agenda Mental health and academic success
Student mental health snapshot
How can you help?
Gatekeeper training
CAPS overview

3. Well-being of UNC Charlotte students
Is a shared responsibility
Contributes to student success and retention
Helps make the campus safe and facilitates free intellectual inquiry

4. Mental Health and Academic Success
Retention advantage for students in counseling
Depression associated with academic withdrawal
Mental health facilitates campus engagement and relationships, both associated with higher graduation rates
*The literature suggests mental health has an impact on academic performance, and that counseling can foster academic success.
Students in counseling have a retention advantage compared to non-counseled students (Kitzrow, 2003).
Kitzrow, M.A. (2003). The mental health needs of today’s college students: Challenges and Recommendations. NASPA Journal, 4(1),
Developing depression is the most critical event leading students to consider withdrawing (Pleskac, et al., 2011).
Pleskac, T.J., Keeney, J., Merritt, S.M., Schmitt, N., Oswald, F.L. (2011). A detection model of college withdrawal. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 115(1), doi: /j.obhdp
Students with mental illness report less campus engagement and poorer relationships, both of which have been associated with lower graduation rates (Salzer, 2012).
Salzer, M.S. (2012). A comparative study of campus experiences of college students with mental illnesses versus a general college sample. Journal of American College Health, 60(1), 1-7. doi: /

5. Mental Health Snapshot
Within the last 12 months:
85% felt overwhelmed by all they had to do
37% felt so depressed it was difficult to function
62% felt overwhelming anxiety
7% seriously considered suicide (1,984 students*)
1.5% attempted (407 students*)
Source: UNC Charlotte Spring 2017 responses to NCHA (n = 331)
American College Health Administration (ACHA) – National College Health Assessment (NCHA) II is administered each year to create a profile of college student health trends.
*Data extrapolated from 331 students who responded to ACHA-NCHA II 2017 survey to the Spring 2017 UNCC student population of 27,177.
NOTE: Spring 2017 n of only 331 yet consistent with 2016 NCHA data n=1,110
2016 NCHA data (n = 1,110) for comparison: Within the last 12 months:
86% Felt overwhelmed by all they had to do
31% Felt so depressed it was difficult to function
48% Felt overwhelming anxiety
7% seriously considered suicide (1,940 students*)
0.6% attempted (159 students*)
*Suicide thought to actually be 2nd leading cause of death among college students (not limited to years) because only unintentional injury/accidents (leading cause) and homicide (2nd leading) are more common among year olds and, since there is minimal homicide on campuses, suicide more plausibly 2nd leading cause of death among college students.

6. UNC Charlotte Student Mental Health
Factors affecting academic performance*
Stress %
Sleep difficulties 21%
Anxiety %
Depression %
Concern for friends or family 10%
* (incomplete, dropped course, poor grade)
Source: UNC Charlotte Spring 2017 responses to NCHA (n = 331)

7. Mental Health Snapshot
Over 1,350 college students nationwide complete suicide each year (Silverman, 2008).
3rd leading cause of death for students ages
~ 80% of students that complete aren’t seen by a counselor.
Silverman, M.M. Turning violence inward: Understanding and preventing campus suicide. Presented to Violence on Campus: Prediction, Prevention, and Responses, Columbia University Law School, New York, NY, April 4, 2008.
Up to 80% of those treated for depression show an improvement in their symptoms generally within four to six weeks of beginning medication, psychotherapy, attending support groups or a combination of these treatments. (National Institute of Health, 1998)

8. UNC Charlotte Student Mental Health
Faculty/Staff are in an ideal position (“gatekeepers”) to notice signs of student distress.
Being prepared to notice and refer is crucial.
Your time is precious. A brief gatekeeper training can make a big difference.
Many faculty feel that their responsibility to students is confined to their academic discipline. However, Faculty and staff often have a privileged view of student behavior, appearance and performance that can offer clues to a student’s mental health status.
A little bit of training can make a big difference
Faculty/Staff are in an ideal position (“gatekeepers”) to notice signs of student distress.
Changes in academic performance
Worrisome comments or behavior
Changes in appearance, attendance, participation
Being prepared to notice and refer is crucial.
Your time is precious. A brief gatekeeper training can make a big difference.
A research-based approach
Understand your role
Feel comfortable taking action
Be confident in doing the right thing

9. Kognito At Risk Gatekeeper Training
Online, 24/7 accessibility
45 minutes to complete
Assume the role of a faculty member who is concerned about students, some of whom need to be referred to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
Analyze profiles of the virtual students.
Engage in simulated conversations with the ones you suspect are at-risk and, if necessary, refer them to CAPS.
Learn about CAPS.
© 2012 Kognito Interactive. All Rights Reserved. 9

10. At-Risk for University and College Faculty & Staff
Listed in SPRC/AFSP Best Practices Registry
Co-created with mental health experts and educators
Includes 3 conversations with students:
Gwen has good grades but is overly worried about her performance and anxious about exams/presentations.
Jared’s behavior has become increasingly erratic over the semester
Alberto’s grades and attendance are getting worse.

11. © 2012 Kognito Interactive. All Rights Reserved.
Trailer
© 2012 Kognito Interactive. All Rights Reserved. 11

12. Evidence of Effectiveness:
Pre-, Post-, Follow-Up Surveys
Studies show:
Statistically significant increases in mental health skills that remain at 3-month follow-up
Statistically significant increases in the number of students that educators approach and, if necessary, refer

13. High Praise from Tough Critics: Faculty/Staff
“it’s online and each staff member can choose their day/time to work through it at their own pace. Also, the resource guide is helpful. I printed it and will keep it on hand.”
“It goes over issues that are not often discussed and allows you to feel comfortable with the subject so that it is not such a shock if it ever comes about in real life.”
Change Quotes
I thought the option to “undo” decisions and to see consequences for different action was interesting and informative – sometimes on a bad day you might be more dismissive or say something the wrong way and it could have important consequences for the future.

14. Accessing the Simulations
URL:
Create Your Account
Also, access “Tips & Resources” to help promote and implement programs within schools
Mention to your audience that they will open up this page and create a log-in.
Additionally, mention that this same page offers a link to “Tips and Resources”, a helpful repository if they want to further refer the program to their peers and colleagues.

15. Account Creation First / Last Name E-mail Address Password
Enrollment Key: uncc89
Be sure that users know the case-sensitive enrollment key that you have been assigned.

16. Select and Launch the Training
All simulations available to you are shown. Select the one you will take.
Complete follow-up survey
3. Once selected,
launch your simulation
2. Details about the selected simulation
For more information:
Dr. Jessalyn Klein
Psychologist/Suicide Prevention Coordinator

17. CAPS mission
The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at UNC Charlotte supports the holistic well-being and academic success of students and contributes to a healthy and inclusive campus climate.  This is accomplished by providing:
short-term individual and group counseling
crisis management
consultation to concerned third parties (parents, faculty, staff)
referral services
educational and preventive initiatives for the campus community.
In addition, CAPS supports the academic mission of the University by serving as a training site for graduate students and supports scholarly activity and professional development of staff.

18. CAPS services Groups for Fall 2017 Workshops
Interpersonal Counseling Groups
Women Survivors of Sexual Trauma
The Empowered Black Woman
True Selves: Gender and Sexuality Spectrum Group
Multicultural Women Empowerment Group
Veterans Group
Peace of Mind
Dissertation Support Group
Workshops
Resilience Toolbox for Anxiety
You’ve Got This!

19. Moving adjacent to Student Health Center September 2017
Consultation
Consult with CAPS staff by phone ( ) or in person as needed.
Counselor is on-call each business day from 8-5.
For after hours emergency, call Campus Police ( ) or CAPS (after-hours Protocall).
Moving adjacent to Student Health Center September 2017

20. © 2012 Kognito Interactive. All Rights Reserved.
Concerned about a student?
© 2012 Kognito Interactive. All Rights Reserved. 20

21. Counseling and Psychological Center
Location:
158 Atkins
(entrance facing
Belk Plaza)
Phone:
(704)
Website:
caps.uncc.edu