1. Overview Presenter Rhonda Nelson M.S.Ed., L.C.P.C.
MHFA Instructor/National Trainer, Adjunct
School Based Home

2. https://www. youtube. com/watch

3. Group Activity

4. What is it?

5. What is a Mental Disorder?
A mental disorder or mental illness is a diagnosable illness that:
Affects a person’s thinking, emotional state and behavior
Disrupts the person’s ability to:
Work
Carry out daily activities
Engage in satisfying relationships

6. U.S. Adults with a Mental Disorder in Any One Year
Type of Mental Disorder
% Adults
Anxiety disorder
18.1
Major depressive disorder
6.8
Substance use disorder
8.1
Bipolar disorder
2.8
Eating disorders
5-10
Schizophrenia
Any mental disorder
18.5
Be sure to stress the fact that eating disorders are prevalent in colleges. Even though we do not talk about the disorder, information is in the manual.
Only 41% of people with a mental illness use mental health services in any given year

7. % Estimated Prevalence
Prevalence and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders among College Students in Past Year
Disorder
% Estimated Prevalence
% Received Treatment
Mood disorder
(including Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Bipolar Disorder)
10.6
34.0
Anxiety Disorder
(including Panic, Social Anxiety, GAD, Specific phobia)
11.9
15.9
Alcohol Use Disorder
20.4
5.3
Drug Use Disorder
5.0
Any Disorder
45.8
18.5
Be sure to stress the fact that eating disorders are prevalent in colleges. Even though we do not talk about the disorder, information is in the manual.
*Blanco et.al. 2008

8. Characteristics of College Students
80% ages 18-24
4% international
660,000 veterans
32% racially/culturally diverse
4-10% LGBTQ
Increasing numbers of non-traditional students (e.g. older and returning students)

9. Why Mental Health First Aid?
Mental health problems are common
Stigma is associated with mental health problems
Many people are not well informed about mental health problems
Professional help is not always on hand
People often do not know how to respond
People with mental health problems often do not seek help

10. Why Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education?
40% of young adults are enrolled in 2 or 4 year educational institutions
75% of mental disorders develop before age 25
Early identification and treatment can lessen the impact of the mental illness
Only 18.5% of college students ages receive services for any mental health disorder

11. Risk Factors & Warning Signs

12. Challenges to Supporting Students

14. Prevention Strategies
Reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking
Increase early identification of and interventions for emerging mental health problems
Increase the number and type of healthy activities:
Exercise options, sports activities, classes in yoga and meditation
Student organizations that promote service activities
Support groups
Publicize reliable web resources for support
Promote a supportive campus climate that encourages help-seeking

15. Mental Health First Aid USA