Dr. Lester Rápalo, President of Rockland Community College.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, there has been a concerning surge in mental health conditions, particularly impacting vulnerable high school graduates. College presidents have a collective responsibility to confront this critical challenge head-on. Community colleges can play a vital role in providing a safe and supportive environment for students struggling with mental health conditions.
Impact On Students
Mental health complications among the youth have reached unprecedented levels. The stress and uncertainties induced by the pandemic intensified pre-existing mental health conditions. I believe this means it’s necessary for colleges to take a comprehensive, multi-tiered approach to mental health support for students to navigate the intricate web of regional and global health trends.
When mental health struggles are unattended, a troubling cascade effect can ensue, including higher dropout rates and substance abuse.
How Community Colleges Can Provide Support
Actively work to break stigmas.
The stigma surrounding mental health is often a significant impediment to seeking help. Community colleges can actively work to dismantle stigmas by leading mental health awareness initiatives and fostering an environment where open discussions about mental health are encouraged. At my community college, for instance, we organize events such as “Mental Health and Drug Awareness Day” and our bi-annual Health and Wellness Fair. Events like these can help provide crucial insights into subjects like substance abuse and mental health, which promotes a more informed community.
Help provide access to mental health professionals.
Access to mental health professionals is particularly scarce in rural communities, which presents a stark disparity in the availability of mental health services. To help bridge this gap, colleges can implement various initiatives, such as counseling services and partnerships with local healthcare providers and organizations to ensure students have access to qualified mental health professionals.
These are actions my own college has taken, and I’ve seen that these collaborations have enhanced accessibility to mental health resources and provided a platform for counseling and social work interns to engage with the student community. This, in turn, enriches the care available to students and enables young adults to receive the support they deserve and lead fulfilling lives.
Provide sanctuary.
Community colleges have long been known as places where students can rebuild their lives, overcome obstacles and chart a path to a brighter future. To be an advocate for mental health, colleges should emphasize the significance of nurturing mental well-being within the academic journey. Community colleges can serve as safe havens where students find understanding, compassion and guidance on their path to mental wellness.
For example, our counseling center provides support to students facing personal challenges, emotional distress or crises by offering confidential, short-term counseling. For students seeking personal growth, individual counseling, small group workshops and semester-long special programs are available. In situations where students encounter mental health crises outside of the center’s operating hours (i.e., evenings, weekends and holidays), immediate assistance is provided through resources such as 911, local behavioral health response teams or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988).
College presidents wield significant influence in establishing and enhancing student support services. By recognizing the imperative of mental health for academic success and personal growth, you can allocate resources and prioritize funding for robust counseling programs. By collaborating with mental health experts, you can foster a supportive campus culture, increase awareness through campaigns and form partnerships with local organizations and universities.
You can further solidify the commitment to mental health by advocating for policies, offering training to faculty and staff, embracing innovative approaches, gathering data for insights and valuing student voices. Through these actions, college presidents can ensure the availability and efficacy of comprehensive counseling services and contribute to the holistic well-being of their student communities.
Addressing the mental health challenges faced by the youth in America necessitates collective efforts from educators, policymakers and society at large. Community colleges are at the forefront of this effort and can serve as beacons of hope, understanding and support for students struggling with mental health conditions. By fostering an environment that prioritizes mental well-being, community colleges can empower youth to navigate their mental health conditions successfully. This paves the way for a society that values and prioritizes mental health.
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Read the full article here
