SAMHSA Grant Enhances Student Mental Health Resources at USF

Providing mental health resources that meet the needs of students is an important area of focus at all educational institutions. In November, the University of St. Francis announced that its efforts to provide mental health resources to students would be enhanced, thanks to a three-year matching grant from the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The university is required to match the funding provided by the grant.

“We were aware that our students, having navigated the challenges presented by COVID-19 for the past two years, were in great need of support. Many students come to campus with lack of awareness about the things they can be doing day to day that have a great impact on their mental health. This grant will greatly help us to raise their awareness and take positive steps forward” said Mollie Rockafellow, Ed.D., dean of student life at USF and grant project director.

The two primary goals being addressed through the matching grant include increasing the university’s capacity to identify at-risk students and improve mental health services for all students, including those at risk for suicide, depression, serious mental illness or emotional disturbances. The university is also committed to preventing and reducing suicidal tendencies and mental and substance use disorders by increasing awareness of resources, and creating a campus culture surrounding mental health that is culturally competent and promotes help-seeking behavior.

Efforts funded through the grant began this fall and have partially enhanced the university’s existing partnership with Advocate Aurora Health (AAH), which the university calls the “Advocate Aurora Health University Student Assistance Program.”

“Advocate Aurora Health offers amazing counseling support for our students, both in-person on our campus and in virtual formats. We believe this grant will help increase overall mental health while also building a safety net for when students need additional support in working through mental health challenges,” Rockafellow added.

Joshua Boyce, LCSW, the Student Assistance Program counselor at USF, oversees the day-to-day functioning of the program which provides assessments, free and confidential sessions, resources for free financial, legal, childcare or elder care consultations, and referrals to mental health providers in the community as needed.

On a regular basis, Boyce meets with students to assess their needs and determine whether USF’s program is the right option for the student. If it is, Boyce sets up services with him or one of his clinical mental health counseling interns for a total of five free, confidential sessions per student concern. If the USF program isn't the best fit for the student’s needs, the student is referred to in-network providers in the community who specialize in treatment of the student’s particular concern.

Boyce sees anxiety, stress, and overwhelm as the most prominent concerns observed. Relationship concerns are also common, as well as soul-searching students who are trying to find their place in the world. He says these topics are common everywhere among students in this population.

When asked what families can do if they’ve got a student struggling with personal or emotional issues, Boyce answered, “The best thing families can do to help is to be vigilant in observing changes in areas like mood, behavior and hygiene. They should trust their gut and invite the student to talk to about what's going on. They can get help from our assistance program or seek out a qualified mental health provider by using an online therapist directory on sites like Psychologytoday.com or Goodtherapy.org.”

An additional use of the SAMHSA grant funds the Student Engagement Specialist positions—USF student employees who create a network centered around mental health—and provides campus training related to mental health crises and first aid.

The grant has also given life to a new Healthy Minds study on campus. The campus-wide survey was administered in February through the University of Michigan, and focused on understanding college and university faculty and staff members’ mental health and experiences related to supporting students. USF faculty and staff were invited to participate along with faculty and staff at other colleges and universities. Responses are helping to gain an understanding of how campuses can better support the mental health and wellness of faculty, staff and students. Melinda Hammond, Psy.D., assistant professor of psychology at USF and co-director of the grant, has begun working to educate faculty and staff on mental health topics.

Ultimately, Rockafellow is grateful for the positive impact that the matching grant will have on USF’s campus community.

“We know it will have a positive impact on our USF students, teaching them skills that they will carry with them their entire lives. We have an amazing population of students who have varying levels of history working toward a positive mental health experience. Creating spaces and engaging with students on this topic will greatly impact their success as they graduate and contribute to the world through service and leadership,” Rockafellow said.